River Benue Research Articles

Effects of Smoking Duration on the Proximate and Mineral Composition of Selected Fishes from Lower River Benue, Benue State, Nigeria

Effects of Smoking Duration on the Proximate and Mineral Composition of Selected Fishes from Lower River Benue, Benue State, Nigeria

Anatomy of Niger and Benue river sediments from clay to granule: grain-size dependence and provenance budgets, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study explores in detail the complexity of textural–compositional relationships in fluvial sediments. To this aim, fifteen size fractions (from clay to granule) of three sediment samples characterized by virtually identical size distribution from the Niger and Benue rivers in central Nigeria were separately analyzed by multiple methods (optical microscopy, manual and semi-automated Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, elemental geochemistry, Nd isotopes). The independent mineralogical and geochemical datasets thus obtained allowed us to investigate processes of sediment generation for five diverse size modes (clay, fine cohesive silt, very coarse frictional silt, very fine sand, coarse sand) derived in different proportions from different sources (wind-blown dust, soils and paleosols, fine-grained and coarse-grained siliciclastic units, igneous and metamorphic bedrocks). Controls on the size distribution of detrital minerals (settling equivalence, size inheritance, weathering, mechanical durability, and chemical durability through multiple sedimentary cycles) were examined, specifically focusing on tectosilicates and on the long-standing petrological problem of feldspar–grain-size relations. Various factors determine the composition of different size modes: kaolinite-dominated clay derives from both deeply weathered soils or paleosols and distant Saharan sources; cohesive silt is largely recycled from mudrocks and soils formed in sedimentary basins. The proportion of detritus derived first-cycle from basement rocks increases from very coarse silt to very fine sand, whereas the coarse-sand mode is quartz-dominated with scarce plagioclase and amphibole and local occurrence of garnet, staurolite, monazite, or xenotime reflecting a combined influence of size inheritance from igneous (pegmatite) and metamorphic sources, mechanical and chemical durability, and recycling from coarse-grained siliciclastic units. Sediment budgets based on mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological signatures consistently indicate dominance of Benue sediment supply, although the contribution from the Niger mainstem to the Niger Delta is inferred to have been notably greater in the wetter past, before clastic fluxes dropped in response to the aridification of the Sahel.

Effects of Land Use Land Cover and Climate Changes to Water Yield in Yola Benue River Basin Adamawa State

Effects of Land Use Land Cover and Climate Changes to Water Yield in Yola Benue River Basin Adamawa State

Flood risk assessment in Kogi State Nigeria through the integration of hazard and vulnerability factors

Annually, Kogi State in Nigeria experiences significant flooding events, leading to serious fatalities, the destruction of livelihoods, and damage to vital infrastructure. This study presents a multi-faceted approach and methodology to generate a state-wide flood risk map by analyzing both flood vulnerability and flood hazard factors. Seven flood hazard factors (drainage length, distance to river, elevation, slope, rainfall, distance from confluence/dam area, and geomorphology) and vulnerability factors (population density, female population, land cover, road length, distance from hospitals, literacy rate, and employment rate) were ranked and weighted based on their contributions to flooding within the state using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP). From these, the Flood Hazard Index (FHI), Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI), and Flood Risk Index (FRI) were derived. Results showed that Kabba, Idah, Olamabor, Kotonkar, and the southern part of Ajaokuta LGAs exhibit high flood vulnerability due to dense populations, remoteness from roads and critical infrastructure, and considerable distances from healthcare facilities. Likewise, LGAs exhibiting a very high FHI occur along the geographic zones bounded by the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, specifically along the Lokoja area, and the Kotonkar, Kogi, Bassa, and Ibaji LGAs. Five flood risk classes—very low, low, moderate, high, and very high FRI classes—occupy 26.82, 31.12, 22.07, 15.26, and 4.71% of the area, respectively. Out of 295 villages, 65 villages are spread across the high flood risk zone. The safest LGAs include Ankpa, Omala, Dekina, Ijumu, Kabba, and Mopa-Muro LGAs.

Environmental Impacts of Effluent Discharge from A Rice Processing Factory on River Benue’s Water Quality in Makurdi, Nigeria

This study investigates the impact of industrial pollution on the environment surrounding a rice processing factory in Makurdi. Water samples were collected from five different sampling points within and around the factory premises in January 2018. The investigation focused on evaluating the effects of industrial discharge at these sampling points. Several key parameters indicative of pollution, including pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, copper, nitrate, and phosphate, were carefully analyzed. Sampling activities were conducted at weekly intervals over three weeks. Both field and laboratory investigations were carried out, revealing that the physico-chemical characteristics of the water samples indicated stressed water quality concerning pH (acidity), turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). However, certain parameters, namely temperature, copper, nitrate, and phosphate, remained within the acceptable environmental regulatory limits, suggesting no significant pollution from these factors. Notably, the sampling points 1, 2, 3, and 4 were located at distances of 10 meters, 20 meters, 30 meters, and 40 meters, respectively, from the point of discharge, but they were situated in different locations. This variation in distance may have contributed to the observed differences in water quality. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that all waste discharged from the factory be subjected to pollution control measures. Additionally, the practice of open discharge should be thoroughly reviewed to minimize potential health and pollution hazards to both human populations and the ecosystem.

Simultaneous increase in temperature and dry days in West African transboundary Benue River Basin

Simultaneous increase in temperature and dry days in West African transboundary Benue River Basin

Performance assessment of daily GR conceptual rainfall-runoff models in the Upper Benue River (Cameroon) using airGR packages

Performance assessment of daily GR conceptual rainfall-runoff models in the Upper Benue River (Cameroon) using airGR packages

Size Variation Survey of the Family of Cichlids in Lower River Benue

This study was designed to determine the size variations of the family of Cichlids in lower river Benue. The fish samples were collected bimonthly in batches for a period of three months (September- November, 2023). A total of 120 fishes comprising 60 each of Tilapia zilli and Oreochromis niloticus were sampled from fishermen at the Wadata landing site during this period. The fish sampled were transported in an ice-parked plastic container to the Fisheries laboratory in order to keep the integrity of the sample intact prior to analysis. The species were identified using taxonomic keys and morphometric parameters recorded. The results obtained shows the parameters of Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli as the cichlids species caught. The mean weight (53.70±3.13), mean length (14.09±0.28) and the mean standard length (11.13±0.24) of Tilapia Zilli was observed to be greater than the mean weight (43.01±2.17), mean length (12.83±2.0.21) and mean standard length (10.17±0.81) of Oreochromis niloticus. The results obtained reveals that the morphometry of Tillapia zilli is higher in their Morphometric measurements as compared to Oreochromis niloticus. This study therefore provides valuable information on the morphological characteristics in relation to the body weight of these two Cichlids for the sustainable management of fisheries in Lower River Benue, Makurdi and Nigeria at large.

Evaluation of the Effect of 2022 Flooding on Business Activities in Lokoja Metropolis

Flooding has become a global issue and its effect varies with the level of flooding at a given period. In the wake of urban floods, public and commercial institutions are currently finding it difficult to develop and assess risk management and adjustment methods that include land use planning and urbanization patterns in addition to systems for flood prevention and early notifications. Flooding is one of the negative effects of global warming and most countries in the world are making effort to reduce its associated effects. This study examined the effect of 2022 flooding on business activities in Lokoja Metropolis. The study used a survey research design and a Taro Yamani sample size selection method to select 400 respondents. Questionnaire was administered to the respondents based on simple random selection and the data was analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) regression. The findings show that 2022 flooding exerts negative and statistically significant effect on business activities. there was low business patronage and high cost of goods during the flood period. Also, the findings show that small businesses were mostly affected during the flood period than large businesses. The study therefore recommends dredging of the River Niger and River Benue to increase water holding capacity. Also, there should be enactment of laws against building or citing of businesses along flood route to reduce the level of damages during flooding

Morphological Characterisation of Three Populations of Heterobranchus longifilis from Nigeria.

This study attempted to discriminate the population of Heterobranchus longifilis in Nigeria using their morphological characteristics. Therefore, 60 sexually mature wild samples of H. longifilis (1:1 for the male and female ratio) of relatively similar size (40 cm) were collected from three eco-regions namely, Guinea Savanna (Benue River, Makurdi), Rainforest Savanna (Niger River, Onitsha) and Sahel Savanna (Rima River, Sokoto). They were transported to the hatchery unit of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Joseph Sarwan Tarka University Makurdi where the morphometric data was collected. The data for 39 traditional morphometric measurements and 5 meristic counts obtained from each fish were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis. While significant differences were observed in some parameters following univariate analysis; it was revealed that the morphometric parameters and meristic counts could not separate the fish from the different ecoregions into distinct multivariate spaces or clusters following Principal Component Analysis. Hence, this suggests that morphological parameters cannot be used to discriminate H. longifilis from the different ecoregions. Studies using molecular markers are needed to further characterise the distinctiveness of the different populations.

Microbial load of Auchenoglanis biscutatus and Labeo coubie bought from landings of artisanal fisherfolks at lower river Benue

Microbial load of Auchenoglanis biscutatus and Labeo coubie bought from landings of artisanal fisherfolks at lower river Benue

Food and Feeding Habits of Oreochromis Niloticus in Lower River Benue, Makurdi

This study investigated the food and feeding habits of Oreochromis niloticus in the lower River Benue to determine the diet composition in the stomach of O. niloticus Fift samples of the species were collected, and their stomach contents were analyzed by frequency of occurrence, numerical and volumetric methods. The IRI (Index of Relative Importance) was used to determine the stomach contents. The results showed that green algae are the most important food item in the diet of O. niloticus with an IRI value of 22.61%. Other plant-based foods that make up a significant proportion of the diet include plant tissues (10.19%) and plant seeds (9.26%). The species have a moderate to high overlap in their consumption of certain food items such as rotifers (DOI = 0.83, sig = 0.03*), desmids (DOI = 0.67, sig = 0.05*), and snails (DOI = 0.51, sig = 0.05*). Generally, O. niloticus exhibited omnivorous feeding habits in their diet from the Lower River Benue. It is possible to conclude that food and feeding habits of O. niloticus influenced by seasons, and fish sizes from Lower River Benue. Therefore, water buffer zone management is needed to improve the food and feeding habits of this fish for the better sustainable utilization.

Temporal Variability in Rainfall Amount, River Stage and Discharge at Ibi Section of River Benue, Taraba State Nigeria

Temporal Variability in Rainfall Amount, River Stage and Discharge at Ibi Section of River Benue, Taraba State Nigeria

Effects of 2023 Naira Redesign Policy on Selected Dry Season Vegetable Farming Along River Banks of River Benue in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria.

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of Naira redesign policy on selected dry season vegetable farmers along river banks of river Benue in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred respondents. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages and mean scores were used, Gross margin analysis was used to analyze cost and returns while logistic regression was used as inferential statistical tools in analyzing effects of Naira redesign policy on selected dry season vegetable farming in the study area. Findings revealed that the mean age of the farmers was about 37years, very many (65.0%) were females, 68.0% were married, and 77.0% had formal education. The mean household size was 7 persons, an average annual income of ₦180935.00 and mean farming experience was about 10 years. The study revealed that dry season vegetable is profitable in the study area. Increase in income, increase in output, damage of produce and increase sales were significantly affected during naira redesign policy in the study area. The result of constraints revealed that certain factors such as poor marketing, lack of storage facilities, lack of access to credit facilities, and cost of pesticide were the major challenge facing dry season vegetable in the study area. The study recommended that Federal government and Central Bank of Nigeria should ensure availability of new notes before recalling the old notes next time when redesign policy is to be made, farmers and other individuals should come together to form cooperatives that will enable them access credit from banks and other financial institutions that will help in efficient production.

Analysing the Potential Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrological Regime of the Upper Benue River Basin (North Cameroon)

Analysing the Potential Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrological Regime of the Upper Benue River Basin (North Cameroon)

Assessing Climate Variability and Its Impacts on Selected Forest Ecosystems in Taraba State: Insights from the Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis of Rainfall and Temperature

This study examines climate variability and its effects on selected forest ecosystems in Taraba State, Nigeria, using Mann-Kendall trend analysis of rainfall and temperature data from 1991 to 2021. Climatic variables, including average monthly rainfall and mean minimum and maximum temperatures, were sourced from the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority. The Mann-Kendall test was applied to assess trends, revealing slight upward trends in annual rainfall and maximum temperatures, and a subtle downward trend in minimum temperatures, although none were statistically significant. Hypothesis testing was conducted, with results suggesting no significant long-term trends in annual rainfall, maximum temperatures, or minimum temperatures over the study period. Specifically, for annual rainfall, the Mann-Kendall slope was 0.03 with a p-value of 0.96, indicating no significant trend. Similarly, for minimum and maximum temperatures, the Mann-Kendall slopes were -0.01 and 0.01, respectively, with p-values of 0.99, indicating no significant trends. It was recommended that strengthening monitoring efforts to track long-term climate trends accurately, utilizing advanced statistical techniques to discern meaningful patterns from natural variability among other recommendations.

Flood and Food Security in the Benue Valley: Stylized Facts

The scientific consensus is that global climatic change is caused by human activities. Global climate variation has altered the pattern of annual rainfall in most parts of the world, resulting in annual flooding with devastating effects on humanity. With many rivers that crisscross the Nigerian landscape, the country has experienced a number of flood incidents along the river basins (valleys) with varying degrees of devastation. This paper, thus, focuses on the effects of flood on food security in the Benue Valley. The specific objectives of the study include: to examine the effects of flood on food supply; prices of agricultural output; and the level of public and private aids to flood victims within the study area. A sample of households and market leaders were interviewed for the purpose of data collection. Data was equally sourced from Non-governmental Organizations, State Emergency Management Agencies, and other written sources. The data was analyzed and presented using simple bar charts. Findings revealed that there is always a gross inadequacy of food supply during the years of devastating floods compared to years of normal annual rainfall. Prices of agricultural products increased by almost 200% and household income declined significantly during the flood disaster years. Findings also revealed that private organizations sometimes render more aids to flood victims than the public sector. To arrest the danger of annual devastating floods in the Benue Valley, the paper recommends better water infrastructure management strategies like the construction of more dams and dredging of River Benue.

Extraction, Mapping, and Analysis of Structural Lineaments using Geospatial Azimuth-Altitude Ratio Technique on a DEM of a Sub-Catchment of the Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria

Lineaments have a wide range of implications and applications in geology, hydrogeology and geomorphology. The focus of this study was on structural or geological lineaments and their implication on hydrogeology and hydrogeomorphology. Hence, this study aimed at the extraction, mapping, and analysis of structural lineaments using a DEM in the Adamawa sub-catchment of the Upper Benue River basin. ArcGIS 10.8 was used for the geospatial technique of Azimuth-Altitude ratio (315:45, 200:50, 150:65, and 100:60) variation, manual digitization for the extraction, mapping and analysis of lineaments. The choice of manual or visual digitization was to apply expert experience to extract only structural and exclude geomorphological and pseudo lineaments. The Azimuth-Altitude ratio variation approach was to improve clarity and identification to aid the manual extraction. The lineament map generated after extraction was used to analyze for lineament density, total number, and total length. A further analysis applied the rose diagram to depict the directional orientation or trends of these lineaments. The result revealed that at various Azimuth and Altitude ratios, the features on the image become more distinguishable for extraction. At 315:45 Azimuth and Altitude ratio, the hill-shade produced revealed the major lineaments more clearly compared to other ratios but minor lineaments were undermined. Also, a total number of 343 lineaments were found in the Adamawa sub-catchment of the Upper Benue River Basin with a total length of 2897.81km. The lineament density was found to range between 1km/km2 and 5km/km2. The result of the lineament statistical analysis showed that the extracted lineaments have trends in the direction of N-S, NNE-SSW, NE-SW, E-W, SE-NW, and SSE-NNW. This therefore concluded that the Adamawa sub-catchment of the Upper Benue River Basin has high lineament density and lineament extraction from DEM at various Azimuth and Altitude ratios enhances lineament extraction. The implications of the findings from the results suggest that areas with a high density of lineaments might be affected by higher structural deformation, which signifies higher groundwater infiltration potential zones and initiation of first-order drainage networks. This information is vital for water resources management in the sub-catchment.

Physicochemical parameters and plankton diversity from Lower River Benue, Makurdi

This study was conducted to investigate the abundance and diversity of plankton as well as the physicochemical properties of the Lower Benue River. The survey was carried out at different sites along the river both at Wadata and BSU Water Board. Samples were collected using plankton net into bottles preserved in 5% formalin and then transported to the laboratory for identification, counting and further analysis. A total of 39 plankton were observed out of which 28 (71.79%) were obtained at Wadata and 11 (28.21%) at BSU Water Board. The most abundant of all the species was Arthrospira plantensis which was observed 16 times. The least occurring plankton was the Paramecium species which was observed only once. The species richness at the Wadata location was 7 with a Shannon-Weinner Diversity Index of 1.383 and Evenness of 0.711. The species richness at the BSU Water Board on the other hand was 3 species with the Shannon-Weinner Diversity Index (H) of 0.935 and an Evenness of 0.851. A significant relationship between plankton abundance and sampling location was overserved (χ2 = 19.360; df = 1; p = 0.000). The Physicochemical properties of the Lower Benue River at the respective sampling locations revealed that air, water temperature and dissolved oxygen, had no significant difference observed between them (p>0.05). While pH of the water, electrical conductivity, turbidity and total dissolved solid had significant differences observed between them (p>0.05). A fairly strong non-significant positive relationship was observed between plankton abundance and the pH (r = 0.502; p = 0.389). Electrical conductivity (r = 0.629; p = 0.069) and total dissolved solid (r = 0.461; p = 0.298). On the other hand, a very strong non-significant negative relationship between plankton abundance and air temperature was observed (r = 0.819; p = 0.090). The relationship with turbidity was also negative and strong but they were significantly associated (r = 0.720; p = 0.029). Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) further revealed a very weak non-significant relationship between plankton abundance and dissolved oxygen (r = 0.137; p = 0.747), while it showed no significant relationship with temperature (r = 0.047; p = 0.904).

Teenagers' Social Aptitudes for Managing Behavior Disorders in Wadata Community Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

This study focused on social skills as a means of curbing conduct disorders among adolescents in Wadata Community of Benue State. The purpose of the study was to investigate the social skills needed by Adolescents for Curbing conduct disorders along River Benue Bank. The study answered two research questions. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study was 570 adolescents drawn from four settlements in Wadata Community. Sample of 343 adolescents was drawn using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Questionnaire (RABQ) was used for date collection. Frequency and percentage were used for answering of research questions. Major findings show that factors reveal that the factors influencing conduct disorder among the adolescents were lack of home training, lack of good mentorship, lack of formal education, drinking of alcohol, poverty and bad friends. The most important social skills needed to curb conduct disorder among adolescents were parental good mentorship, exhibiting good temperament, patience and calmness in all situations, acknowledging individual’s worth and asking polite questions to clarify issues when not understood. It was recommended that among others that parent should encourage adequate social skills among their children such as good communication skills, honesty, patient, respect to constituted authority.