Implication of Landscape Changes Using Google Earth Historical Imagery in Yenagoa Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Assessment and impact on the environment of dumpsites investigated between 1990 and 2015 and 2015 to 2020 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are used to evaluate landscape change from Google Earth Historical Imagery (GIS). Historical Google Earth imagery shows an increase from 1900 to 2015, and again from 2015 to 2020, due to an increase in built-up areas, which resulted in illegal dumpsites in the environment, implying an increase in population due to migration and industrial activities in the area. Six soil samples were collected from illegal dumpsites and one from a control location and analysed for heavy metal ions. The Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb concentrations were determined using the atomic absorption spectrometer. All of the illegal dumpsites were discovered to be located along the market area, close to Epie Creek and the pound. Furthermore, the pollution load index (PLI) and contamination factor (CF) results show that heavy metal pollution is present in the area. As a result, it is recommended that urban growth be tracked in order to plan ahead of time for various dumpsite locations, and that site suitability studies for landfill selection sites be made available using GIS and remote sensing-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation. Combining remote sensing and GIS, according to the study, could be an effective approach to landscape planning and environmental improvement.