Effects of Artisanal Mining on the Built Environment in Selected Communities in Plateau State, Nigeria (Published)
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has emerged as a major driver of environmental degradation in many resource-rich regions, yet its impact on the built environment remains insufficiently examined. This study investigates how illegal ASM affects the built environment through the lens of stakeholder perceptions and governance conditions in Plateau State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating quantitative data from 396 survey respondents with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions conducted in Jos South and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas. The findings reveal that illegal ASM contributes to significant built environment impacts, including land subsidence, structural damage to buildings, infrastructure deterioration, and increased safety and health risks. Inferential analysis indicates that impact severity and lived experience are significantly higher in Barkin Ladi, reflecting greater exposure in rural contexts, while governance inadequacies are perceived as systemic across both locations. Qualitative evidence further highlights a livelihood risk paradox, where economic dependence on mining coexists with its destructive consequences. The study advances governance, perception, and built environment nexus and demonstrates that stakeholder perceptions play a critical mediating role in shaping environmental and infrastructural outcomes. The findings underscore the need for integrated governance, alternative livelihood strategies, and participatory policy frameworks to mitigate the impacts of ASM and promote sustainable built-environment development.
Keywords: Environmental degradation, Mixed Methods, Nigeria, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), built environment impacts, governance and regulation, spatial analysis, stakeholder perception
Assessing Environmental Impact and Socioeconomic Consequences of Oil and Gas Spillage on Soil in Warri, Southern Nigeria (Published)
The Niger Delta terrain is often prone to environmental degradation resulting from oil and gas spillage. This research aims to assess the environmental impact of oil and gas spillage on the soil of Warri, Southern Nigeria, by utilizing physicochemical properties, statistical analysis, and socioeconomic information to evaluate the impact of heavy metals in the study area. A total of six (6) soil samples were collected and examined with the aid of an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) using a procedure that adheres to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Concentration levels of Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Exchangeable Acidity (EA), Exchangeable Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) were analyzed and found to range from (21.1-74.98) ppm, (23.46-105.57) ppm, (128-1442) ppm, (58.80-341.60) ppm, (0.25-13.50) ppm, (11.51-14.78) ppm, (11.30-226.34) mg/kg, (98.26-122.60) mg/kg, (10.10-18.43) mg/kg, (321.86-994.04) mg/kg, (0.26-0.50) mg/kg, (0.4-1.15) mg/kg, respectively. The research revealed that the soil pH ranged from highly acidic to slightly acidic, which can negatively affect nutrient availability and plant growth. The research also highlighted the detrimental impact of oil spillage on the health, livelihood, amenities, and socioeconomic state of affected communities. Agricultural produce, crop yield, and livestock production were negatively affected due to poor soil fertility and damage to water bodies. Basic amenities were polluted, leading to abandonment and contamination of drinking water. The social environment of these communities experienced setbacks in occupation, income, and education. The findings provide valuable insights into soil characteristics and contamination levels and also show that regular soil quality monitoring and assessment are essential to detect any degradation in soil quality in the examined area.
Keywords: Environmental degradation, Heavy Metal, Niger Delta terrain., Physiochemical properties, Soil impact