Socio-economic implications and environmental effects of oil spillage in some communities in the Niger delta
This study examined the effects of oil spillage on the socio-economic activities of the people and the environment in some communities in the Niger delta. The objectives are to determine the quantity of oil spilled from pipelines, the area of coverage and to assess the effects of oil spillage on the people, soil and water. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data relied on the administration of structured questionnaires; 319 questionnaires were randomly distributed to a sample population (household heads), with 302 retrieved. Secondary data were sourced from published materials. Also, soil samples from four locations and water samples from five locations were collected to determine the pH value of the water, the presence and concentration of heavy metals in the soil and the total hydrocarbon content (THC) of water. Soil and water samples were analysed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gravimetric methods for soil and water, respectively. There was a strong relationship between the volume of oil spilled and the area coverage. Laboratory soil analysis from sampled communities showed a higher concentration of heavy metals (chromium, lead, arsenic, etc.) above the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible levels as well as the figure for controlled site. Similarly, three of the communities studied had THC concentrations of 40,000 ppm exceeding both WHO limit of 1 ppm and controlled site. This has grave implications on the soil, water and socio-economic activities of the people. It is, therefore, important that environmental laws should be strictly adhered to. Compensation should be adequately and promptly paid to the communities, and remedial action should be speedily undertaken whenever there are spills. Finally, the oil companies must involve the communities in the maintenance and monitoring of pipelines with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of members of rural communities.
Heavy metal concentrations in tissues of Egeria radiata (bivalvia: tellinacea) from creeks in Burutu area of Delta state, Nigeria.
Levels of heavy metal concentrations in tissues of Egeria radiata from Obotebe and Gbekobor Creeks in Burutu Local Government Area were investigated. E. radiata samples were collected fortnightly for 12 months in 2008. The soft tissues of E. radiata were extracted, weighed and dried in oven for three days at 60 0 C. Ten grams of the dried samples were homogenized and digested before analysis using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) to determine levels of heavy metals such as (copper, lead, manganese, cadmium, mercury, chromium and nickel). The results obtained showed that tissues of E. radiata from the creeks were contaminated with heavy metals. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in tissues of E. radiata followed an increasing sequence of Hg < Cd < Cr < Mn < Pb < Cu < Ni. Heavy metal concentrations in tissues of E. radiata were higher but were not significant in the dry season than in the rainy season. Levels of heavy metals in tissues of E. radiata were found to be below the FAO/WHO acceptable limits of heavy metal pollution in fishes and shell fish. Mean levels of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and Cadmium (Cd) were found to be higher than world standard but not significant. Nickel were significantly lower than world standard. There is a need for constant monitoring of levels of heavy metals in the area of study in order to forestall any significant rise in their levels.
Socioeconomic impact of oil in Nigeria
Taxes and royalties from the oil industry in Nigeria have made possible massive infrastructural and social development throughout the country; this single industry continues to be the most important contributor to the national treasury. Along with oil, however, have come environmental and social problems, some severe and, in the social sector, possibly of long duration. Questionnaires were employed to solicit environmental and socioeconomic information from residents in the oil-impacted area as well as to ascertain the views of the oil companies with respect to their Nigerian operations, in particular to their socio-economic responsibilities to the local residents. Responses point to serious discontent on the part of the impacted population, especially in the most important southern (Niger Delta) oil producing region. These negative attitudes in part are based upon the impacted population’s inability to secure for itself a sufficiently large number of oil industry jobs and in part to the presence in the local community of ethnic strangers who do have such employment. There is evidence of serious environmental damage, but its biological dimension has been overshadowed by claims for monetary compensation at the local level. Data derived from these investigations might well be applicable in the wider field of trans-national mining and petroleum extraction operations in developing countries, especially to the unwritten social obligations of the expatriate firm to local residents.