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Devendrapandi G, Balu R, Ayyappan K, Ayyamperumal R, Alhammadi S, Lavanya M, Senthilkumar R, Karthika PC. Unearthing Earth's secrets: Exploring the environmental legacy of contaminants in soil, water, and sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118246. [PMID: 38278509 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The Earth's history is documented in human civilizations, soil layers, river movement, and quiet sediments throughout millennia. This investigation explores the significant legacy of environmental toxins in these key planet components. Understanding how ancient activity shaped the terrain is crucial as mankind faces environmental issues. This interdisciplinary study uses environmental science, archaeology, and geology to uncover Earth's mysteries. It illuminates the dynamic processes that have built our globe by studying pollutants and soil, water, and sediments. This research follows human actions, both intentional and unintentional, from ancient civilizations through contemporary industrialization and their far-reaching effects. Environmental destiny examines how contaminants affect ecosystems and human health. This study of past contamination helps solve modern problems including pollution cleanup, sustainable land management, and water conservation. This review studies reminds us that our previous activities still affect the ecosystem in a society facing rapid urbanisation and industrialization. It emphasises the importance of environmental stewardship and provides a framework for making educated choices to reduce toxins in soil, water, and sediments. Discovery of Earth's secrets is not only a historical curiosity; it's a necessary step towards a sustainable and peaceful cohabitation with our home planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautham Devendrapandi
- Department of Computational Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Tamil Nadu, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, India.
| | - Ranjith Balu
- Research and Development Cell, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India.
| | - K Ayyappan
- School of Maritime Studies of Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
| | - Ramamoorthy Ayyamperumal
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental System, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou 13 University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Salh Alhammadi
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyongsanbuk-do, 38541, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mahimaluru Lavanya
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Viet Nam.
| | - R Senthilkumar
- Department of Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering, AMET University, Chennai, India
| | - P C Karthika
- Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Sam K, Zabbey N, Vincent-Akpu IF, Komi G, Onyagbodor PO, Babatunde BB. Socio-economic baseline for oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland: towards a restoration framework in Niger Delta, Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:25671-25687. [PMID: 38483715 PMCID: PMC11024028 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32805-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
This study documents the socio-economic baselines in selected oil-impacted communities prior to the commencement of the Ogoni clean-up and restoration project. Adopting mixed approach consisting of semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and household surveys, we surveyed the pre-remediation socio-economic conditions in the Ogoniland communities between July 2018 and March 2019. Results indicated that almost all respondents (99.6%) agreed that the smell of petroleum products or crude oil was evident in the air they breathed even as there were visible black particles (soot) in the respondents' nostrils, on their clothes, and in water. The respondents described the ambient air as smoky and choked with an offensive smell. The household waters were smelly, brownish, or oily, and most respondents (76%) cannot afford to treat their water. Forty-two percent of the respondents who relied on fishing and farming for a living sought for alternative means of subsistence and acknowledged that oil pollution caused stunted growth and low crop yield. The majority of respondents (91%) reported falling fish catches, while the fish caught smell and taste of oil, lowering their market value and posing a potential health risk to consumers. It is evident that oil pollution has impacted the socio-ecological values and sustainable livelihood in Ogoniland. This study provides baseline data for monitoring post-remediation socio-economic improvements in Ogoniland. It also highlights areas of urgent intervention to improve livelihood, and access to basic amenities (e.g., potable drinking water), waste management infrastructure, and statutory policy changes for sustainable development in Ogoniland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabari Sam
- School of Environment, Geography and Geoscience, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, UK.
- Department of Marine Environment and Pollution Control, Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, Warri, Nigeria.
| | - Nenibarini Zabbey
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, PMB 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
- Environment and Conservation Unit, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Ijeoma Favour Vincent-Akpu
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Gentle Komi
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Peter Oghogho Onyagbodor
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Bolaji Bernard Babatunde
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
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Sam K, Zibima T. Inclusive Environmental Decision-making in a Developing Nation: Insights from the Ogoni Remediation Project, Niger Delta, Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 73:323-337. [PMID: 37770627 PMCID: PMC10847202 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01885-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Greater involvement of women is globally believed to enhance environmental management outcomes. Despite being disproportionately affected by environmental degradation primarily caused by oil spills in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, women in the region are often excluded in environmental decision-making processes. Women involved in farming and fishing face increased vulnerability to contaminated land, food insecurity and conflicts driven by environmental degradation. Using a mixed approach, women, lawmakers, policymakers, regulators, civil society organizations, environmental management practitioners, and government agents responsible for environmental remediation were engaged through interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires to examine women's inclusion in environmental decision-making and governance in the Ogoni contaminated land remediation project in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The results indicate that lack of trust and confidence in drivers of the environmental decision-making process could affect women's participation and involvement in environmental management. Although cultural beliefs and practices impede the participation of women in the region, their actual participation does not independently translate into inclusion in environmental decision-making due to limited capacity, confidence and trust in the process. Creating platforms for capacity building, developing gender policy, adapting appropriate communication strategies, initiating women networks and strengthening social cohesion could enhance women involvement in environmental decision-making in regions with similar cultural context to the Niger Delta region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabari Sam
- School of Environment, Geography and Geoscience, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, UK.
| | - Tubodenyefa Zibima
- Department of Political Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa, Nigeria
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