Publication Title An Overview of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) Proliferation and its Environmental Consequences on the Deltas of Nigeria Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Journal of Environmental Management and Safety
Publication Authors Ndinwa, Chuks Chukwuka Gabriel; Dittimi, P. Johnson and Akpafun, Amatoremidedon Solomon
Year Published 2012-03-05
Abstract The macrophyte water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was first reported on the Nigerian coastal waters in 1982. Since then, it spread rapidly and by 1985, it had colonized much of the creeks and lagoons. A coast-wide survey was carried out to determine the environmental factors influencing proliferation of water hyacinth. In addition to its impacts on the ecological, social and economic aspects of the environment and the effective use of the prevailing methods of control. The study area was divided into six zones from which field investigations were conducted. The study made use of both primary and secondary data. Primary data included direct personal observation and oral interview. While the secondary data included published and unpublished materials, it was discovered that the nutrient-rich environment contributed significantly to the rapid proliferation of the weeds. Its infestation impaired fishing, breeding and nursery grounds for microbes and parasites, impaired marine transport, human health and water quality among others. Efforts aimed at controlling it were taken, manual and mechanical extraction of the weeds seen to be the most adopted strategy at certain locations along the coastal fringe. But infestation in creek and lagoon environment remained untackled despite consernted efforts. The adoption of an integrated management approach where other methods failed, water hyacinth can be converted to usable materials such as paper production, rope and mat making, production of fish feeds, water purification and biogas production among others. This will go a long way at eradicating the weed as most of them will be used for beneficial purposes rather than constituting a problem to the environment.
Publication Title Assessment of Water Quality of Hand Dug Wells in a Riverine Community, Southern Nigeria Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Hand Dug,
Publication Authors S. M. O. AKHIONBARE, M. PERETOMODE AND G. C. C. NDINWA
Year Published 2019-08-08
Abstract The quality of hand dug wells used for domestic water supply in Burutu Community, Delta State, Nigeria were assessed. Samples were collected from twelve (12) wells and analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological parameters using standard methods. The results obtained revealed that the samples from the study area were acidic during the period of investigation. The parameters analysed were affected by both natural and anthropogenic sources. As regards physico-chemical parameters, the result revealed that some of the parameters analysed were within WHO guideline for drinking while others exceeded the threshold. The following ranges were recorded: pH (4.43 to 5.83), colour (5 to 15 Pt/Co), EC (150 to 460µS/cm), TDS (80 to 420mg/l), TSS (0.00 to 16.50mg/l), Total Hardness (14.40 to 113.19mg/l), chloride (7 to 117 mg/l), sulphate (6 to 200 mg/l), nitrate (2 to 12.20 mg/l), magnesium (11.08 to 14.87 mg/l), calcium (18.64 to 76.84 mg/l) and zinc (0.00 to 6.680 mg/l). In relation to microbiological contamination, the result revealed that all the sampled wells were contaminated with total and faecal coliform organisms as they exceeded WHO standard of 10MPN/100ml and 0MPN/100ml respectively. It revealed high concentrations of total and faecal coliform in all the wells: (TC 67 to 86 at Ambar, 110 to 360 at Chicoco, 111 to 114 at Low beach, 100 to 576 at Okorodudu and FC 18 to 29 at Ambar, 18 to 120 at Chicoco, 18 to 48 Low beach, 224 to 1218 at Okorodudu), suggesting high bacterial load. The water quality index (WQI) revealed variations in the sampled wells from very poor to fair category. In line with WHO standards and WQI results, the study established that the sampled wells in the community were contaminated and not safe for human consumption but usable for other domestic purposes. The study recommended that hand dug wells should be protected by sealing the walls, pouring of concrete apron, putting a lid over the top, and installing a hand pump as well as the use of pot chlorinator. The study also recommended proper sanitary practices, better alternative sources of water supply and intensive educational campaign to the indigenes of the area.