Disposal Activities Research Articles

Trace metal geochemistry sediments from the Dibamba River, SW Cameroon: Implication for heavy metal assessment and origin

Sediment quality and trace metal accumulation are two of the most pressing issues facing the aquatic ecosystem around the world. Twenty-four (24) samples of stream sediments were collected along the Dibamba River, in the economic and industrial capital of Cameroon, to judge the trace metal levels in this river flowing near the city of Douala. Trace metal concentrations were disclosed with an ICP-MS on two different grain size fractions (very fine-grained sand and clay). The sediments indicate possible adverse effects of trace metals on surrounding biota as elements like Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Hg show positive enrichment of greater than 1 when compared to background values from the upper continental crust (UCC) and sediment quality factors such as TEL (threshold effects level), PEL (probable effects level), ERL (effects range low), and ERM (effects range medium) values. The sediments show values of Degree of contamination (DC = 2–4), Pollution load index (PI = 1–2), and individual potential risk (EI = 92–219) indicating moderate pollution and ecological risk. Statistical and multivariate analyses point to both anthropogenic and geogenic sources for the heavy metals in the Dibamba stream sediments. The geogenic origin of the heavy metals is linked to the weathering of gneiss and migmatite found in the river banks. This study found low to mild levels of metal pollution and toxicity in the sediment, but it also warned that the continued development of nearby industries and businesses, the provision of transportation services, and waste disposal activities could result in a gradual outflow and accumulation of metals in the sediment, endangering the aquatic ecosystem.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MICROPLASTIC CONTAMINATION IN BLOOD CLAMS (ANADARA GRANOSA) ON THE JENEPONTO COAST, SOUTH SULAWESI

Plastic waste in oceans will threaten of marine biota. There is a very high degree of plastic pollution in Indonesia, however the distribution of microplastic contamination in seafood, particularly that ingested by the general populace as a daily meal from seas, is quite low. The purpose of this investigation is to map the distribution of microplastic contamination in blood clams (Anadara granosa) throughout the South Sulawesi coast.
 Observational study employing a spatial analysis exploratory design. Blood clams (Anadara granosa) and information on wind, currents, and tides are used to map the distribution of microplastic pollution. The Kriging model was used for their geographical analysis. Purposive sampling was used to collect a total of 25 samples of blood clams (Anadara granosa) from offshore locations, residential waterways, mangrove ecosystems, rivers, and river estuaries.
 The results showed that the highest distribution of microplastic contamination was found in mangrove ecosystem areas and residential waters, while the lowest was found in river areas. Blood clams (Anadara granosa) have high levels of microplastic contamination because of sources of plastic pollution that come from waste disposal activities. It became stuck in the fisheries and mangrove ecosystems along the coast. Oceanography has an impact on how currents and winds migrate from the northeast (where mangrove habitats are) to the north (where residential waters are), carrying microplastic particles. Provision of waste management facilities by the local government and using the depuration method to eliminate microplastics in blood clams (Anadara granosa) consumed by the community needs to be done to reduce the impact on ecology and health.

Quantifying the effect of socio-economic-geo drivers on the change of municipal waste disposal in China by an integrated TWFE-PRF-SDM methodology

Municipal solid waste management and disposal in China have significantly evolved since 2000. Due to China's vast land area and significant socioeconomic and geographic disparities, nationwide waste management strategies need to be further evaluated. This study quantified the effect of social, economic, and geographic drivers on municipal waste disposal activities in 31 provincial-level administrative regions from 2003 to 2020, by establishing a methodology integrated by two-way fixed effects regression model, panel random forest, and spatial Durbin model. The results showed, in the past two decades, socio-economic-geo indicators significantly co-decided the landfill and incineration activities. In particular, the explanatory ability of GDP per capita was above 45%, while land resources and city size also showed great significance. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the relationship between landfill/incineration rates and socio-economic-geo drivers changed notably from unobvious to significant with economic growth. Furthermore, the local economy and land resources displayed more impact than those of the neighboring regions, while sci-tech and education showed clear spatial spillover effects. Chinese government would carefully assess the full-scale promotion policy of incineration plants, landfill is still hold as a reasonable option for regions with specific socio-economic-geo conditions.

Abundance, spatial distribution, and chemical characterization of face masks on the beaches of SE Kanyakumari, India

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a new world of waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this baseline study, the occurrence of PPE faces masks were assessed on the eleven beaches of Kanyakumari, India concerning the abundance, spatial distribution, and chemical characterization (ATR-FTIR spectroscopy). A total of 1593 items/m2 of PPE face masks and their mean density of 0.16 PPE/m2, ranging from 0.02 to 0.54 PPE/m2 were determined in the study area. Kanyakumari beach (n = 430 items/m2) has the highest concentration of masks (26.99 %), with a mean density of 0.54 m2 due to recreational, sewage disposal, and tourism activities. This is perhaps the most important study describing the scientific data that focuses on the significant effects of communal activities and accessibility on COVID-19 PPE face mask pollution. It also highlights the need for sufficient management facilities to optimize PPE disposal.

Urinary schistosomiasis: risk factors and symptoms among school adolescents in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Improper waste disposal, unsafe water and indiscriminate water-contact activities are major factors enhancing continuous spread of schistosomiasis in Nigeria. Many water bodies are prone to contamination with human wastes directly discharged into them or due to surface runoff, and are infested with parasites. Open defecation and discharge of household sewage into water channels is still practiced. Children conduct activities in these water bodies, thereby exposing themselves to infections with schistomes among other pathogens. Urine samples (10 mL each) were collected from 600 consented school adolescents across six Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Information on their water-contact activities were obtained by means of questionnaires. Urine sediment was examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs by microscopy. No infection was recorded in adolescents who had awareness about the disease. Those who engaged in swimming (9.2 %, OR=2.2) and fishing (10.3 %, OR=2.1) were significantly more infected than those who did not (P≤0.05). Adolescents who worked on irrigated farms (9.0 %, OR=1.4), washed clothes in rivers (9.0 %, OR=1.6), or fetch water from rivers for domestic purpose (10.0 %) were more infected than others who did not engage in those activities. Therefore, swimming and fishing are important factors enhancing the spread of schistosomiasis among school adolescents in Kaduna State. Irrigation farming, washing of clothes in rivers or fetching water from rivers exposed the adolescents to schistosome infections. Widespread awareness campaigns, provision safe water to communities, and standard water-based recreational centers are paramount

Design and Development of Archives Blender Tool using ADDIE Framework

Records are organizational assets in the form of documnet that contain information about activities or events, so that the existence of records is important for the organization. Even though records have an important role for the organization, without a disposal process, records will increase and accumulate from time to time. Uncontrolled addition of records volumes will result in various problems such as space provision and costs. For this reason, disposal activities are needed, one of which can be done through destruction. The purpose of this study was to study the design and development of an effective and safe paper-based records pulping machine. This study uses the Research & Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE framework. The results of this study indicate that the development of the tool started with an analysis of the needs for records destruction equipment, designing the tool design, developing the tool at an early stage, implementing the tool, and evaluating the function of the tool.

The occurrence and fate of antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in water treatment processes: A review

The recent surfacing of novelty viruses such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) and other conventional viruses have resulted in a significant increase in the use of pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is attributed to their design to modulate the endocrine and immune system of the body. Subsequently, these contaminants of emerging concern are introduced into water-receiving bodies through animal and human excretion, unregulated disposal, and anthropogenic activities, resulting in their occurrence in trace amounts. Despite their occurrence in trace amounts, these classes of emerging contaminants can be persistent or only partially degraded during water treatment processes; hence they have eluded conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) technologies. Moreover, long-term exposure to pharmaceutical compounds poses serious health risks to human and aquatic flora and fauna due to their bioaccumulation. Hence, the current study provides a holistic review on the occurrence of selected antibiotics and NSAIDs in surface water and their fate in wastewater treatment processes. This review provides an overview of the findings reported in the literature on the detection frequency and quantity of selected pharmaceuticals in WWTP influent and effluent streams. Furthermore, the review highlights the findings reported in the literature on the potential application of bioremediation processes, advanced oxidation processes, and chitosan-based adsorbents on pharmaceutical remediation. Finally, the study identifies knowledge gaps in the reported technologies with future perspectives.

Coral resistance in coral bleaching events in Lombok waters, Indonesia

The western area of Lombok Island is a tourist area that has rich underwater biodiversity in coral reefs ecosystem because of the flow path of Indonesia Trough Flow which carries nutrients continuously through the Lombok Strait. Damage that occurs around the Western area of Lombok Island is caused by climate change and community waste disposal activities that cause coral bleaching. An increase of 1.23°C Sea Surface Temperature occurred in Sekotong on February 2016 and leads to the coral bleaching event on the area. The research was conducted by using the underwater photo transect method and the photos processed by CPCe program shows mass coral bleaching impacted coral condition in West Lombok. Live coral cover was decreased 2.74% comparing with last live coral cover. Total colonies were impacted by coral bleaching 40.04% in Gili Tangkong and 43.63% in Gili Asahan. This Study shows that each species survives and be able to be broodstock for the next life of corals in these areas.

Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions as an Effort to Reduce the Impact of Climate Change

The planning of Al Amin Living lab and Industrial Park along with the administration in which there are various activities that produce carbon emissions, these activities need to be calculated to find out how much the activity contributes to the emissions produced so that negative impacts on the environment can be assimilated. This research is a descriptive research. Calculation of carbon footprint from combustion results for four-wheeled vehicles as many as 156 units of 356.757 Kg CO2-eq and 4.757 Kg CH4-eq; 155 Two-wheeled Vehicles amounting to 354,470 Kg CO2-eq and 4,726 Kg CH4-eq; 5 units of buses amounted to 13.338 Kg CO2-eq and 0.020 Kg CH4-eq. Calculation of carbon footprint from waste disposal activities from Ecotourism activities with a capacity of 500 people amounting to 31.85 Kg CO2-eq; Agriculture with a working capacity of 20 people of 1,274 Kg CO2-eq; Farm with a working capacity of 5 people of 0.382 Kg CO2-eq; Mosque with a capacity of 2,000 people of 127.4 Kg CO2-eq; Café and Plaza Utama with a capacity of 2,500 people of 159.25 Kg CO2-eq; Ceremony ha;; with a capacity of 1,000 people of 63.7 Kg CO2-eq; Sport center with a capacity of 300 people of 19.11 Kg CO2-eq. The calculation of the carbon footprint of waste disposal activities is calculated only based on the number of people or users in the activity area. Keywords: Capacity of Al Amin Living Laboratory Activities, Carbon Footprint, Garbage disposal activities, Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Occupational exposure register-based cohort study on mortality among asbestos-related workers in Italy after the ban.

Asbestos is a human carcinogen and can cause some types of cancer, including mesothelioma. A relevant number of workers are still engaged in asbestos removal and disposal activities, whose actual risk of asbestos-related diseases is still scarcely recognized. The main objective of this study is to assess the cause-specific mortality among workers involved in asbestos removal and disposal after the ban in Italy. Data from the Information System on Occupational Exposure to carcinogens (SIREP) in the period 1996-2018 were selected. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) by cause of death were calculated by linking exposure occupational information to national mortality statistics (2005-2018), assuming a Poisson distribution of the data. A total of 142 deaths (all men) were identified among 13 715 asbestos removal and disposal workers. A significant excess ( P < 0.05) of mesothelioma deaths was found among male workers, about five-fold the expected. A significant increase in the mortality ratio was also found for malignant melanoma of skin. A risk of mesothelioma has been found among workers involved in asbestos removal and disposal. Epidemiological surveillance and promotion of prevention action plans are highly recommended for workers engaged in asbestos removal and disposal activities, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and reduce the still relevant risk of contracting the related tumor pathology.

Risks of Leukemia in Various Industrial Groups in Korea: A Retrospective National Cohort Study

It is known that occupational exposure to specific agents is associated with leukemia. However, whether the occupational risks of leukemia differ among various industrial groups remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the occupational risks of leukemia among different worker groups by industry. Data for a total of 11,050,398 people from the National Health Insurance System's claim data from 2007 to 2015 were analyzed. By cohort inclusion of workers whose industry had not changed for three years and with total workers as a control group, the risk for a specific industry group was expressed as an age-standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Among groups by industry, 'Manufacture of motor vehicles and engines for motor vehicles', 'Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories', and 'Personal care services' showed significantly higher SIRs. In division analysis, the 'Manufacture of other machinery and equipment' and 'Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities' divisions showed significantly higher SIRs than other divisions. We identified an increased risk of leukemia in workers of certain industries in Korea. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to create a policy to protect workers at risk of leukemia. Various additional studies are needed to protect workers by revealing more precise relationships between individual hazardous substances, processes, and leukemia.

Analysis of the Contribution of TSS, pH, Fe, and Mn Parameters to the Pollution Load Capacity of Coal Mines in the Oal River, South Sumatra

The Oal River receives coal wastewater input at several companies. Coal mining in the vicinity of the location adds to the burden of water pollution in the Oal River due to waste water disposal activities. The increase in the concentration of coal waste and the pollution load that enters the Oal River water body will have an impact on the reducing capacity of the pollution load. This study aim to provide information on the condition of the pollution load carrying capacity of the Oal River. Determination of the carrying capacity of water pollution loads at water sources using the mass balance method. The characteristic of the Oal River water with the parameters TSS, pH, Fe and Mn have not yet passed the quality standards for river water and wastewater, both according to PP No. 22 of 2021 and South Sumatra Governor Regulation No. 8 of 2012. The Oal River still has the capacity to accommodate TSS and pH parameters.

Floodplain characteristics affect woody vegetation regeneration on point bars of a coastal plain river recovering from anthropogenic disturbances

AbstractFloodplain characteristics contribute to the natural regeneration of vegetation and help facilitate their ecosystem recovery but vary within and between river systems and more so in a river system recovering from anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we explored the floodplain characteristics that contribute to the woody vegetation regeneration on point bars of the middle reach of the Apalachicola River in Florida, USA, which has been passively recovering for over two decades after dredging and disposal activities ended. Woody vegetation regeneration on point bars was analysed using 1999 and 2019 aerial imagery and divided into zones and sections. Data were extracted from a digitized geodatabase regarding several floodplain characteristics with potential to influence vegetation regenetation. Later, we analysed noncollinear floodplain characteristics using a random forest (RF) regression model. The top characteristics that contributed to the RF model include vegetation density, distance‐to‐seeding source and bend curvature. Findings suggest that high vegetation density contributes substantially to woody vegetation regeneration. The negative relationship between distance‐to‐seeding source and vegetation regeneration shows the importance of seeding availability. The bend curvature corresponds with the highest regeneration in the lowermost section of point bars. Our results signify the importance of maintaining healthy vegetated corridors as a buffer to reinforce the vegetation community and potential seed source for passive recovery. These findings regarding floodplain characteristics can be applied to future active restoration of anthropogenically disturbed floodplains.

Impacts of land use on the quality of Ala River in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria

This research was carried out to ascertain the impacts of land use on water quality in Ala river within Akure metropolis, Nigeria. Physical, chemical and bacteriological tests were carried out on the water samples collected from eight different sample points along the river. The parameters analyzed were temperature, odour, taste, colour, turbidity, nitrite, nitrate, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus, chlorine, and heavy metals which include copper, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, arsenic, selenium, manganese and lead. All the samples indicated contamination alongside the presence of heavy metals. COD values of 160, 300, 580, 220, 400 and 120mg/L observed in points 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively were above the WHO permissible limit. In point 1, the concentration of heavy metals like iron and lead were above the safe limit. The result showed that amongst the human activities identified to cause water pollution, improper waste disposal and uncontrolled agricultural activities had major effects.

Redox conditions and a moderate anthropogenic impairment of groundwater quality reflected on the microbial functional traits in a volcanic aquifer

Groundwater is an important freshwater resource and hosts specialized microbial assemblages providing fundamental ecosystem services. The current knowledge on the role of aquatic microorganisms in subsurface ecosystems is still limited. This work aimed to explore the links between groundwater hydrogeochemical properties and microbial community traits in a volcanic unconfined aquifer, moderately impacted by anthropic activities. The main physical and chemical parameters of groundwater samples were analyzed, along with microbial biomass (total cell counts, ATP-active biomass concentration), potential metabolic activity, and physiological profiles at the microbial community level (Biolog ™ EcoPlates). The results showed the coexistence of oxidizing and reducing groundwater conditions across the study area. We discriminated two groups of oxidizing/reducing groundwater samples (Ox and Red), each including two subgroups with different chemical conditions attributed to contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact for non-intensive agricultural practices and waste disposal activities (Ox − and Ox + ; Red − and Red +). Although the microbial biomass was likely not affected by changing redox, the microbial metabolic potential and functional diversity changed significantly. In the Ox samples, the community-level physiological profiles were different, mainly owing to the utilization of carboxylic acids (Ox − > Ox +) and carbohydrates (Ox + > Ox −). In the Red samples, a wider set of organic substrates were consumed by the microbial communities, including those less bioavailable (e.g., phenols). Significant differences were also found between Red − and Red + , mainly owing to the relative increase in the utilization of amino acids in Red − , polymers and amines in Red + , along with the active biomass. By reflecting the local redox conditions and moderate levels of anthropogenic impact, the applied approach highlighted changes of microbial metabolic potential and physiological profiles that imply direct repercussions on biogeochemical cycling and the ecosystem services provided by groundwater microorganisms.

Sosialisasi Dampak Sampah Laut sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Kepedulian Masyarakat Terhadap Lingkungan di Desa Pesisir Besuki, Kabupaten Situbondo

Plastic waste is generally discarded in waters from the river that will eventually empty into the sea and directly discharged into the high seas as happened in the village of Pesisir Besuki, Situbondo district. The problems faced by partners are the lack of public awareness of the short-term and long-term impact of waste disposal activities in the waters and poor management of waste management. So that required waste socialization that include the guidance in environmentally friendly waste management and able to increase awareness of coastal communities to care for the environment. This community dedication use socialization as method with questionnaire before and after activity. The results obtained after the activities carried out are increasing the insight of the people of the Pesisir Village, Besuki District and increasing awareness of the environment so that they are trying to manage the waste they produce independently. According to the questionnaires result, before socialization waste management in Besuki Coastal Region has percentage 73% citizen throw their wastes in the sea or/and the river, 27% has been burned, and 0% in temporary garbage disposal. After socialization, it became 13% throw their waste in the sea or/and the rever, 7% in temporary garbage disposal, and 80% choose to burn their wastes. Generally, they does not have the basic knowledge about marine debris impact with percentage up to 80% and the citizen who know about the knowledge is 20%. Their interest about self waste management is 33%. But after socialization, it became 67% for their interest.&#x0D; Keywords : Waste socialization, Waste Management, Environmental Care

Human resource issues and challenges prevailing in Indian textile &amp; garment industry

The textiles and garment sector is a major source of export earnings, government revenue and employment for India. The sector also contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of Indian economy. Indian textile sector is facing many challenges around the globe, especially post-COVID economic recession and rising cost of production. Therefore, mapping of the human resource requirements and their enhancement to facilitate skilled labour is required for the entire gamut of the textile industry. The shortage of skilled manpower is a major constraint affecting the growth of the Indian textile industry which needs a lot of augmentation and technical and financial assistance from both governments and foreign development partners. To overcome the huge skill gap Integrated Skill Development Scheme has been launched to train workers in various segments - textiles, apparel, handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture, jute etc. and sophisticated HRD strategies for better performance. With the objectives of sustainable HRD and promoting R&D to improve productivity across the entire textiles value chain, the Strategic Plan (2011-16) of the Ministry of Textiles focused on skill promotion of all textile workers and creation of new employment opportunities. Integration of sustainability in HRD has become a new central organizing focus for apparel and textiles higher education. Today’s textile trainees are prospective human resources for textile and apparel industry. Our textile education institutes require producing most efficient, highly competitive, technologically updated, resourceful, creative, environment friendly, skilful managers. The HR engaged in T&G industry must be acquainted with the impact of all of the production, distribution, consumption and disposal activities on physical, social, ethical and economic environment, including total quality management, eco-textiles, waste control, recycling, product life cycle analysis, CSR, labour laws, social welfare and healthy labour practices etc. The challenges like sweatshops, child labour, low wages, unhealthy work environment, lack of social capital for technology adaption, need of quality and creativity led policies rather than increasing the quantity of workforce, lack of academia and industry linkage and many more must be treated appropriately for better development of human resources in textile and garment industry. The proper strategy of curriculum designs and models can play a key role in the textile and apparel industry and institutions for generating better resourceful, eco-efficient, cost-efficient, customer-friendly, ethical and socially responsible human resources and by this means nurturing the fascinating dream of sustainable lifestyle of the people around the globe.

Pollution Levels and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Soil of a Landfill Site: A Case Study in Lhasa, Tibet.

As an important ecological security barrier in China, the ecological environment of Tibet has aroused widespread concern domestically and overseas. Landfills are a major solid waste treatment approach in Tibet but also cause severe environmental pollution. To date, there are no studies related to the pollution risk of landfills in Tibetan areas. This study investigated the pollution levels, ecological risk, health risk, and possible pollution sources of eight heavy metals in the soils around a landfill site in Lhasa, Tibet. The results indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals in soil were relatively low, only cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were 1–2 times higher than the corresponding background value. The values of the single pollution index and geo-accumulation index show that the study area is most seriously polluted by Cd and As. Based on the Nemerow pollution index and the pollution load index, over 83.3% and 8.33% of soil sampling sites had light and moderate contamination levels. According to the results of potential ecological risk evaluation, the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in soil was very low, and only one out of the 72 sampling sites exhibited considerable ecological risk. Cd, As, and mercury (Hg) served as the dominant ecological risk contributors and contributed over 45.0%, 14.1%, and 18% of the ecological risk. The results of the health risk evaluation showed that adults have a higher risk of cancer (1.73 × 10−5), while the non-carcinogenic risk for adults was low. Waste disposal activities and construction activities have a significant influence on soil heavy metal concentrations, causing a higher pollution level in the southeast part of the landfill site in Lhasa.

Distribution of terrestrial organic material in intertidal and nearshore marine sediment due to debris flow response efforts

We examined the distribution and processing of terrestrial organic material, derived from the disposal of material from a massive debris flow event following a major wildfire in a coastal California (USA) catchment in intertidal and nearshore subtidal marine sediments. Organic matter biomarkers, pyrogenic carbon and lignin phenols, were used to trace the distribution of terrestrial debris material in marine environments. In intertidal sediments located <1 km east of the debris deposition site, pyrogenic carbon values did not significantly change and lambda values, a lignin measure, decreased over time, indicating little lateral transport of the disposed material. In subtidal sediment, pyrogenic carbon and lambda values were greatest in 20 m water depths indicating transport and deposition of this material nearshore. An additional lignin measure indicative of degradation suggested terrestrial organic material degradation in subtidal sediment decreased with distance from shore. Terrestrial biomarkers demonstrated that the disposed material was not detected in the top 20 cm of intertidal sediment but was retained in subtidal sediment offshore of the disposal site. Results suggest coastal management should incorporate consideration of the effects of debris disposal activities on nearshore benthic communities and biogeochemical cycling.

Migration and Estuarine Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) Change along Ghana’s Coast

Estuaries are among the world’s most biologically productive ecosystems and have since generations attracted migrants due to their high biodiversity, natural beauty, and source of livelihood. Growing coastal populations and immigration have led to the deterioration of many coastal ecosystems globally. Overfishing, habitat fragmentation, and degradation have significantly compromised these estuaries’ natural environments and subsequently affected their ability to serve as breeding grounds for aquatic organisms. Thus, understanding landscape patterns, changes, and human–nature​ interactions is critical for long-term monitoring of estuarine ecosystems. This study analysed changes in three major river estuaries (Pra, Ankobra and the Volta Rivers) in Ghana using Landsat satellite data from 1986 to 2020 and population data. The results revealed that coastal flooding and erosion had changed the area of bare land/settlements in both Pra Estuary (−13.7%) and Ankobra Estuary (−18.8%) into water areas, respectively. Likewise, anthropogenic activities resulted in a 12.6% loss in vegetation in the Ankobra Estuary and 42.8% in the Volta Estuary. However, mangrove reforestation interventions at the Pra Estuary increased the vegetation area (10.8%). These observed LULC changes in these areas explain the effect of migration and its impact on long-term resource management and the survival of estuarine communities. Associated with the increased population (immigration) of estuarine communities are mangrove destruction, sand mining, and indiscriminate waste disposal activities, driving the degradation of the estuaries. Consequently, migrant, and local community interests should be harnessed to avoid undesirable LULC dynamics. Thus, an integrated approach to the management of the coastal zone and associated wetlands are paramount for the sustainability of the environment and local livelihoods.