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Located in southern Nigeria, the Niger Delta is one of the world’s most important oil-producing regions. The region, which covers more than 70,000 square kilometers, is also a region rich in biodiversity, including mangroves, swamps and rainforests. However, the region has been plagued by severe environmental pollution for decades, mainly due to extensive oil exploration and production activities.
go through 2010An estimated 9 to 13 million barrels of oil have been spilled in the Niger Delta since 1958. 17,301 leaks occurredreleasing nearly three million barrels of oil into the environment.
between February and April 2020dead fish washed up in large numbers on parts of the Atlantic coast of the Niger Delta. This was what the Unumherin community in Delta State experienced in March of that year.
This sudden and unusual incident has caused concern among local residents, whose livelihoods depend heavily on these waters, including fishing and other daily activities. The dead fish also pose a potential health risk to the community. A thorough investigation into the possible causes is needed.
Our team of environmental physicists and marine biologists Under investigation Levels of chemical and biological contaminants in the Unumhelim community. We also investigated the effects of radioactivity on residents and conducted a biohazard assessment of the environment.
Our assessment found that levels of biohazards and bacteria in dead fish tissue and the environment were higher than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. This posed a significant danger to residents in the area. Possible causes included oil company activities such as gas flaring and oil spills. Sadly, despite protests from citizens, the incident was not resolved.
We suspect that the fish deaths in the environment may be caused by pollutants from the oil spill in February-April 2020. This incident indicates that there may be some harmful substances in the water, affecting marine life and potentially endangering the health of local residents. We want to determine whether this is due to radioactive risks or biological hazards such as harmful bacteria or chemicals in the seawater and dead fish.
To find out, we collected water and dead fish samples from various locations in the coastal environment of the Unumherin community. The samples were tested for radioactivity levels and the presence of harmful biological substances.
The goal is to identify pollutants that could be causing fish kills and posing a threat to human health. We also aim to suggest possible ways to address the problem.
Read more:
The Niger Delta is rich in resources, but environmental damage has plunged its people into poverty
Our investigations have revealed higher than normal levels of radioactivity in the water. This indicates a potential hazard to both marine life and humans.
We found uranium and thorium levels four times the global average acceptable value. uranium It is a naturally radioactive element and an important nuclear fuel. thorium It is also a naturally occurring radioactive metal found in soil, rock and water. The highest background gamma dose rate exposure obtained in the measurement area was almost twice the world average. This dose rate It is an assessment of the risk of radiation hazard to the human body.
It is noteworthy that local residents suffer from various health problems such as respiratory diseases, skin diseases and increased incidence of cancer. This may be due to long-term exposure to these high concentrations of pollutants. Our study confirmed that the dose rate exceeds the acceptable limit.
Studies of humans who were exposed for many years to abnormally high levels of uranium in drinking water (average 100-600 micrograms per liter) suggestion It may damage kidney tissue. People exposed to thorium Increased risk of bone cancer Because thorium may be stored in bones.
Radioactive contamination The danger is that, unlike other pollutants, there is no technology to repair it. It will cause irreversible damage to the environment.
Our laboratory tests also found harmful chemicals such as lead, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and Xylene In water and in the tissues of dead fish. These compounds can be released through oil spills and natural gas flaring, causing air and water pollution. Carcinogenic properties: May cause cancer.
The bacteria were found in the same water bodies and in dead fish. Polluted water bodies often contain disease-causing bacteria, such as Escherichia coliSalmonella and Vibrio cholerae. Their presence poses a threat to health and biodiversity.
Read more:
Poor treatment of Nigerian oilfield wastewater raises health risks
Something needs to be done urgently to help the residents of this community. Even though the residents protested, the government did nothing.
We recommend warning communities about the dangers of using contaminated water and consuming dead fish.
Additionally, cleanup work must be done to reduce the level of pollution in the water.
In the long run, we recommend National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Control pollution sources and improve the monitoring system.
The agency should also ensure strict implementation of environmental laws, regulations and standards in the Niger Delta region. The agency must conduct regular environmental audits.
The scale and frequency of pollution in the Niger Delta highlights the need for stronger and sustained interventions to mitigate environmental damage and improve the quality of life for residents.
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