Niger Delta Area Research Articles

Investigation of Alternating Current Density and its effect on Corrosion of Underground Hydrocarbon Pipelines in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

Investigation of Alternating Current Density and its effect on Corrosion of Underground Hydrocarbon Pipelines in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

Fish Community Structure in River Ossiomo, Niger Delta, Nigeria in Relation to Some Selected Environmental Variables

In the past decade, it has been reported that water quality of rivers are deteriorating increasingly. In this study we examined the state of River Ossiomo to assess the current health of the river for a period of 24 months from April 2019 to March 2020, then July 2020 to May 2021 in three well marked out stations. The study was to determine the relationship between environmental variables and fish species assemblage in the river. From the results of the physico-chemical variables, the mean values of pollution indicating physico-chemical variables such as sulphate (1.26+0.32mg/l) and total suspended solids (TSS) (5.53+1.89mg/l) were higher in station 2. On the other hand, pH (5.94+0.48), DO (8.64+1.57mg/l), turbidity (7.48+7.63NTU), TDS (29.64+14.65mg/l) and phosphate (0.43+0.31mg/l) mean values were highest in station 1. Conductivity (70.87+26.42µS/cm) and nitrate (0.49+0.34mg/l) mean values were highest in station 3. Further, dissolved oxygen (DO) was higher in station 1, the reference station. The analysis of variance (ANOVA), we performed for the physico-chemical variables revealed that temperature, conductivity, DO, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, TSS, sulphate, phosphate and nitrate were significantly different among the three stations sampled (P<0.05), while pH, BOD and turbidity were not significant among the three stations sampled (P>0.05). The result of the principal component analysis showed that conductivity was positively associated with station 3, and temperature, TDS and alkalinity were negatively associated with stations 1 and 2. A total of 2,324 fish individuals belonging to 29 taxa were recorded in the entire study period. Station 1 harbours more fish species (1018), followed by station 2 (809), and we recorded the lowest number of fish individuals in station 3 (497). Auchenoglanis occidentalis was the most preponderant fish species probably occasioned by its level of adaptation to prevailing environmental conditions in the study river. The least abundant fish species was Synodontis eupterus.The canonical correspondence analysis we used in visualizing the relationship between fish species and physico-chemical variables showed that fish taxa such as Distichodus brevipinni, Cteropoma kinsleyae, Tilapia zillii, Malapterarus electricus, Mormyrus engystoma, and Synodontis nigita that were positively associated with pollution indicating physico-chemical variables were suggested as indicators for monitoring riverine health in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. We recommend that more detailed studies should be carried out in River Ossiomo to confirm this result. However, this study serves as a baseline study in the present study area.

Mapping Of Pipeline Oil Spill Sites in Part of Niger Delta Area, Nigeria, Using Geographic Information System From 2016 To 2018

Mapping Of Pipeline Oil Spill Sites in Part of Niger Delta Area, Nigeria, Using Geographic Information System From 2016 To 2018

Assessing the health of forested riverine systems in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria: a macroinvertebrate-based multimetric index approach

Assessing the health of forested riverine systems in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria: a macroinvertebrate-based multimetric index approach

New Oligocene to Early Miocene Palynomorph Zonation of GZ-1 Well, Onshore Western Niger Delta, Nigeria

Palynological studies was carried out on GZ-1 well from the onshore western Niger Delta in order to recognized a new detected developments in the varieties of key pollen and spore taxa that have shorter and more distinguished interval zones to advance stratigraphical delineation. Palynological analysis was carried out using the conventional maceration technique for recovering acid insoluble organic-walled microfossils from sediments. The result yielded rich and diversified palynomorphs. The main assemblage were dominated by angiosperm pollen grain (dominant global flora from Late Cretaceous onwards) followed by pteridophytes/bryophyte spore. Dinoflagellate cysts, on the contrast, were less diverse while the Gymnosperm pollen were scarce. The identified palynomorph were used to establish seven main zones - AF1 Psilatricolporites crassus zone, AF2 Verrucatosporites usmensis zone, AF3 Triplochiton scleroxylon zone, AF4 Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni zone, AF5 Acrostichum aureum zone, AF6 Gemmatriporites ogwashiensis zone and AF7 Retitricolporites irregularis zone in this study. Established on quantitative events, the zones were also divided into seven subzones with some having finer subdivisions into (a) and (b) ranging in age from Early Oligocene to Early Miocene. Previous unfiled event trends of important indicator taxa of spores and pollen accredited to Pelliceria, Caesalapinoideae, Stenochlaena palustris, Polypodiaceae, Lygodium microphyllum, Polypodiaceae, Adiantaceae and Amanoa (Euphorbiaceae) have assisted improvement of formerly used palynological zonation schemes in the Niger Delta. It is anticipated that this quantitative zonation scheme erected, will help with imminent palynostratigraphical studies in the onshore Niger delta area.

Predication of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Gas Flaring Activities in the Niger-Delta Area of Nigeria

Because of crude-oil exploration activities in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria as a Country flares about 17.2 billion m3 of natural gas per capita year. An assessment of the historical data on the gas flared between 1965 to 2019 in the Oil-rich Niger-Delta region of Nigeria was carried out. A linear regression model was used to estimate the cumulative volume of gas flared up till the year 2030 using R. The findings show the total CH4 and N2O emission between 1965 to 1974 was 2281324 and 1229722 respectively. There was a steady increase in the estimated CH4 and N2O emissions until 2004. The prediction of cumulative gas flared showed an exponential increase in the cumulative greenhouse gases flared to about 8.8 x 109 metric tons by the year 2030. Overall, the study revealed a striking cause for concern due to the predicted continuous increasing amount of gas flaring and release of greenhouse gas emissions which could have significant effects on the environment.

Spatial and diurnal distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) and its health and environmental implications in selected locations in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

Emission of carbon monoxide (CO) poses unprecedented risks in urban environments. Moreover, there has been a growing concern about the incidences of deaths arising from suffocation by CO fumes in Nigeria. Hence, this study attempts to evaluate the spatial and diurnal distribution of CO and its health and environmental implications in selected Niger Delta areas of Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Yenagoa (Bayelsa State) and Effurun-Warri (Delta State). MultiRAE PLUS and PCMM05 Pyle® Carbon Monoxide Meter were used for in situ measurement. Spatial distribution amongst all the sampling locations shows that Rumuola Junction in Port Harcourt (Rivers State) ranked the highest in CO concentration with a mean value of 120.6 ppm while DSC Roundabout in Effurun/Warri (Delta State) ranked the lowest with a mean value of 6.1 ppm. Diurnal variations in CO distribution were statistically significant (P < 0.05) only in Airport Road and PTI Junction (Effurun-Warri, Delta State), Berger Junction and Swali Market (Yenagoa, Bayelsa State) sampling locations. The observed concentrations were largely higher than the 10 ppm Federal Ministry of Environment limit for ambient air. The high emissions, accumulation and dispersion of CO were attributed to frequent traffic congestion and high vehicular traffic density, among others. It is recommended that road design and maintenance should be greatly improved across the Niger Delta to mitigate traffic emissions. In addition, the public transport system should be improved so as to encourage more patronage and reduce the number of private vehicles on roadways.

Prevalence of Kidney impairment and its associated factors among HIV-infected antiretroviral treatment-naïve adult patients in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of kidney impairment (KI) and associated factors among HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) - naïve patients in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out in the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) using case notes of patients who presented from 2011 – 2020. Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrieved. The Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Epidemiology (EPI) Collaboration formula and Cockcroft Gault equation were used in estimating the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) respectively. KI was defined as eGFR &lt; 60 mls/min. Results: The prevalence of KI was 13.8%. Up to 59.5 % had CrCl below 90mls/min. KI showed significant association with age &gt;45 years, married status, presence of co-morbidity, and high HIV RNA load. However, only age was independently associated with KI {AOR 3.4{CI 1.2- 9.6 p = 0.018)}. Conclusion: The prevalence of KI was 13.8% while up to 50.5% had reduced CrCl. Age &lt; 45 years was the only determinant of KI though ‘being married’, having co-morbidities and high viral load also showed significant association. There is a need for regular assessment of renal function in HIV- infected patients.

Experiential metafunction: representing environmental degradation

The constant exploration and exploitation of crude oil in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria had had a negative consequential effect on the entire ecosystem of the region. This has been a source of national and international concern and has attracted the attention of scholars from several disciplines, within and outside the region. Creative writers were not left out and this had given birth to which poetry was one of its most prolific genres. Though regional, the literature in general and poetry, in particular, had attracted myriads of attention from eco-literary criticism while the language of the poems had been understudied. Therefore, this study is a linguistic analysis of Niger Delta environmental poetry. Seven poems were purposefully selected from Tanure Ojaide’s Songs of Myself: Quartet (2015) and Nnimo Bassey’s We Thought It Was Oil but It Was Blood (2002). The Hallidayan Transitivity system of the Experiential meaning of the clause was adopted as a linguistic framework to show how the ecological realities of the region were encoded in the structure of the clause. The study revealed that the nature of the processes and the participants’ roles aptly encoded ecological degradation in the structure of the clause.

Experiential metafunction: representing environmental degradation

The constant exploration and exploitation of crude oil in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria had had a negative consequential effect on the entire ecosystem of the region. This has been a source of national and international concern and has attracted the attention of scholars from several disciplines, within and outside the region. Creative writers were not left out and this had given birth to which poetry was one of its most prolific genres. Though regional, the literature in general and poetry, in particular, had attracted myriads of attention from eco-literary criticism while the language of the poems had been understudied. Therefore, this study is a linguistic analysis of Niger Delta environmental poetry. Seven poems were purposefully selected from Tanure Ojaide’s Songs of Myself: Quartet (2015) and Nnimo Bassey’s We Thought It Was Oil but It Was Blood (2002). The Hallidayan Transitivity system of the Experiential meaning of the clause was adopted as a linguistic framework to show how the ecological realities of the region were encoded in the structure of the clause. The study revealed that the nature of the processes and the participants’ roles aptly encoded ecological degradation in the structure of the clause.

Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of pipeline transport interdiction in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Over the years, pipelines have been the most economic medium for transporting crude oil to production and distribution facilities in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. However, damages to the pipelines in this area by interdiction have hampered the continuous flow of crude oil to the facilities. Consequently, the revenue of the government dwindles, and the environment is severely degraded. This study assesses the economic and environmental impacts of pipeline interdiction in the Niger Delta region. Data from National oil spills detection and response agency, Nigeria is used to map spatial distribution of oil spills using Kernel Density Estimation with Geographic Information System. Literature was assessed to synthesize the historical, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of oil spills and pipeline interdiction. Soil samples were collected from study area to determine the types of hydrocarbon pollutants and their concentrations in comparison with uncontaminated sites in the area. Results show that the range of concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) for the impacted soil (IMP) was 17.27–58.36 mg/kg; remediated soil (RS) was 11.73–50.78 mg/kg which were higher than the concentrations of 0.68 mg/kg in the control samples (CS). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations were in the range of 0.43–77.54 mg/kg for IMP, 0.42–10.65 mg/kg for RS, against CS value of 0.49 mg/kg while BTEX ranged between 0.02 – 0.38 mg/kg for IMP, 0.01–2.7 for RS against CS value of 0.01. The values of the PAH were higher than the limits of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. This study also revealed that pipeline interdiction has affected the livelihood of the inhabitants of the study area and the revenue of the Nigerian government. The major hotspots for oil spills in the Niger Delta region are Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states.

Analysis of Some Elements and Speciated Compounds in Fish Found in the New Calabar River of the Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

The flesh of guinean and blackchin tilapia, and mullet found in Choba river were collected for elemental studies of mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, nickel and speciated forms. Analytical method of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for the elemental studies while Gas chromatographymass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for the speciated forms. 4.3 mg/kg was the highest concentration of cadmium observed in blackchin tilapia. The three fish species all contained about 0.5 mg/kg of arsenic and 1 mg/kg of mercury. 1.7 mg/kg of lead was detected in mullet while 7.3 mg/kg of nickel was detected in blackchin tilapia. Organometallic compounds found were nickel tetracarbonyl, borane carbonyl in guinean tilapia, nickel tetracarbonyl, borane carbonyl and germanium(iv) pthalocyanine dichloride in blackchin tilapia and [µ-(ƞ6-benzene)] bis (ƞ5-2,4-cyclopentadien-yl) diµ-hydrodi-vanadium. Borane carbonyl was found in mullet.

Slurry-Phase Bioremediation of Ogoni Land Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

The contamination of soil originated from evolutional activities such as transportation and spillage, as in the case of Ogoni land in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, and it is a well-known environmental problem in Nigeria. This study examined the capacity of two indigenous bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis to remediate the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The focus of the work was to isolate, identify, and determine the extent of bioremediation achieved in the soil contaminated with crude oil in Ogoni land, which was used as a case study for the slurry-phase bioremediation process. These organisms earlier mentioned were identified based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics. The bacteria species were considered separately and in combination in a Laboratory-scale slurry-phase in a 14-day treatment period using 30 g of soil for each case. The performance of each batch bioreactor was compared to the sterile control. The slurry phase bio-reactor, RA, treated with Pseudomonas sp., had an actual degradation of 31%, the slurry phase bio-reactor, RB, treated with Bacillus sp., had a real degradation of 35%. The slurry phase bio-reactor Rc, which contain both microorganisms had an actual degradation of 36%, the slurry phase bio-reactor RD had a real degradation of 0%. The results obtained confirm that the isolated bacterial from the soil can effectively utilize contaminating crude oil as a source of carbon and energy. The decrease of hydrocarbon in the sterile control was used as a basis for comparison of the petroleum hydrocarbons lost through the extraction process as microbiological activity was not possible. Results from the study have shown that P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis strains were effective for the slurry-phase bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil.

Analysis of the Means of Combating Birds that Destroy Cereal Crops in the Fields of the Inner Niger Delta

Cereal crops such as rice, millet, and sorghum in the Inner Niger Delta are the main sources of food for the people who live there. However, there is a real competition between the high concentrations of grain-eating birds in search of food and the peasants who develop means to preserve their food against these crop destroyers. Rural communities have fought against grain-eating birds and have striven to hunt birds by cutting down trees, destroying nests which only drive them away from neighbors who in turn resume the fight [1]. Various lethal techniques were applied in dozens of countries on all continents during the 1950s [2]. The objective of this study is to know the means of preserving cereal crops by farmers in order to be able to improve agricultural production. For this, several methods are used by the peasants and also by the state. The article discusses the analysis of the different means of control used by farmers and the State against birds destroying cereal crops in the Inner Niger Delta area in Mali, such as traditional methods and chemical methods.

Can Macroinvertebrate Traits Be Explored and Applied in Biomonitoring Riverine Systems Draining Forested Catchments?

Trait-based approach (TBA) in recent time has received tremendous attention as complementary tool over taxonomic-based approach in assessing ecological health of riverine systems in developed countries, but in the Afrotropical region the trait-based approach is still in its infancy. No trait-based approach has been developed for riverine systems draining forested catchment in the Afrotropical region. Hence, this study was conducted to explore and apply macroinvertebrates traits as potential biomonitoring tools in assessing ecological health of riverine systems draining forested catchments in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Selected physico-chemical variables were sampled together with macroinvertebrates in 18 stations of 10 riverine systems from 2008 to 2012. The 18 stations were classified into three ecological classes namely near natural stations (NNS), slightly disturbed stations (SDS), and moderately disturbed stations (MDS) using physico-chemical-based classification with the aid of principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed traits such as possessions of hardshell body armouring, preferences for clear and transparent water and opaque water, climbing and crawling mobility mechanisms, large (&amp;gt;20–40 mm) body size, preferences for scrapping, shredding, and grazing feeding habits to be associated with NNS and SDS based on RLQ (R, physico-chemical variables; L, taxa; Q, traits) analysis performed. Thus, these traits were deemed to be sensitive to human impact in forested systems. Also, traits such as tegument/cutaneous respiration, soft and exposed body armouring, burrowing mobility mechanism, spherical body shape, preference for detritus [fine particulate organic materials (FPOM)] food materials, small (&amp;gt;5–10 mm) body size and preference for filter feeding mechanism were associated with MDS. Hence, they were deemed tolerant of human impact in forested systems. A fourth-corner test performed revealed tegumental/cutaneous respiration preference, soft and exposed body armouring and burrowing mobility mode, which were associated with the MDS on the RLQ ordination were also positively correlated to 5 day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5); while preference for clear and transparent water, which were positively associated with MDS, were also positively correlated with pH and negatively correlated to dissolved oxygen (DO). Overall, this study affirmed that the TBA can be explored in biomonitoring riverine systems draining forested catchments. Nevertheless, we suggest the trait-based approach to be further explored, with a view to developing trait-informed indices for biomonitoring Afrotropical riverine systems.

Pidgin Language at Present: The Alternative Language for Nigerian Contemporary Performing Artists

Pidgin language (PL) is cardinal o many Nigerians especially in the South-South region, where the language is mostly used. The pidgin language is mostly employed to solve the issues of language difficulties in terms of usage. This is because of the enormous population of illiterates in Nigeria. The pidgin language is for everybody: the educated, uneducated, rich, poor, etc. The way it is used in Nigeria and elsewhere does not require one going to school to study it before one can actually speak it. It is a fast-growing language in Nigeria. New lexical items are brought into the province of the language daily especially by Nigerian musicians from the Niger-Delta and Lagos areas. The pidgin language that has been frowned at decades ago is now a contemporary communicative instrument used by different people and for different purposes. This paper, therefore, seeks to demonstrate that pidgin language plays a prevailing role than English Language in Nigeria these days. The paper goes further to state that in the absence of the pidgin language, disseminating messages through songs will not get to the actual target.

DEFINING TERRITORIES IN AQUATIC PUBLIC SPACES: A CASE STUDY OF IJO MIGRANT FISHERMEN IN NIGERIA

This paper examines the issue of territoriality in aquatic public spaces and how it affects fishing rights amongst artisanal fishermen of Ijo ethnic origin, in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. It focuses on how these fishermen view the concept of space and define territories with or without the play of architectural materiality and elements. The study adopts a qualitative approach using interviews, focus groups and oral history as methodologies. The findings show that although architecturally defined boundaries in form of markings or spatial demarcations are not common in the estuarine and riverine zones of the Niger Delta, they however exist. Often implied or expressed by actions indicative of territoriality, or even revealed through other anthropological symptoms.

Pregled bioreremedijacije kontaminiranih hidromorfnih zemljišta u području delte reke Niger u Nigeriji

Bioremediation technologies are an environmentally friendly approach for the treatment of polluted soils. This review take a look at the various remediation efforts by various scientist to ameliorate the effect of crude oil contamination on the environment. Contamination of the total environment (air, soil, water and biota) by crude oil has become a paramount interest in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. With the frequent reports of oil spillages in the Niger Delta area, there is need to seek for a cost effective method for remediation of crude oil impacted soils. Studies have revealed variable impacts of oil toxicity on the environment and exposed populations. Soil contamination is caused mainly by the leakage of underground storage tanks and pipes. The most common conventional method for the remediation of contaminated soils is excavation followed by landfilling or incineration and other technologies that have been widely practiced. Contaminated sites pose a threat to human life due to severe health problems caused by adverse health effects from exposure to soil contamination. Once it is being detected, assessment strategies, type of sampling, chemical analyses, evaluation of parameters and its effect must be done. Several technologies and parameters have been developed to treat petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil but the problem still exists.

Comparative studies of inhibitive properties of Ficus polita and Ficus platyphylla on corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic medium

Abstract The menace of corrosion of steel in industries has been widely acknowledged. Analysis of oil pipeline failures in oil and gas industries in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria showed corrosion as one of the major causes of failure. Eco-friendly, cheap and renewable materials such as plant extracts have been investigated as alternative to the use of expensive synthetic chemicals which are often hazardous. In this study inhibitive properties of ethanol extracts of Ficus polita and Ficus platyphylla leaves as eco-friendly inhibitors of mild steel in 2 M sulfuric acid solution were investigated by weight loss method at temperatures of 301, 305, 309 and 313 K. The study has shown that both plant extracts inhibited the corrosion of mild steel in the acid medium. The inhibition efficiency (IE) and surface coverage (θ) for both extracts increased with increase in concentration and temperature. This trend is suggestive of chemical adsorption. However, the leaf extract of Ficus polita showed higher IE compared to F. platyphylla. Thermodynamic parameters and apparent activation energy obtained from the studies revealed the inhibition by both plant extracts to be spontaneous, exothermic and chemisorptive, while the adsorption mechanism of both plant extracts on the steel surface aligned with the Freundlich isotherm model, F. polita fits well to Temkin and Adejo-Ekwenchi isotherm models in addition.

Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry and the Attitude of Courts

In the petroleum industry, sabotage represents the main share of oil spills resulting from the destruction of oil and gas pipelines used in conveying petroleum products. It is prevailing and sooner or later would evolve to become a norm (custom) in the society because it has become a means which the inhabitants of the oil producing areas adopt in pressing their demands to the government and oil companies. Unfortunately, this is due to the prevalence of corruption, poverty, and governments unfulfilled promises, among others. This paper would examine sabotage and its impact on the flora and fauna of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where much of Nigeria's oil and gas is exploited. It seeks to evaluate how the oil firms and the federal government responded to the despoliation of the environment occasioned by the acts of sabotage. The paper shows that the oil companies makes no genuine efforts to combat sabotage acts which leads to oil spillage until much harm had been done to the environment. This paper further look into the attitudes of Courts, both Nigerian and some foreign courts in respect of the courts attitudes to sabotage related issues, payment of compensation and restorative justice before the Courts. This work also discussed the increasing loss of confidence by inhabitants of the Niger Delta area in the courts and the effects of such loss of confidence such as youths restiveness, loss of revenue and sometimes loss of lives. Among other things, this work recommended that there is a need for the government to impose strict liability and adopt various economic instruments to combat oil industry-induced environmental pollution. The paper concludes that the oil producing companies in Nigeria should adhere to international best practices in oil exploitation. The courts on the other hand should adopt a liberal approach to legal redress in sabotage cases.