A Review on the Effects of Crude Oil Spill on Aquatic Life (Fish) in The Niger Delta, Nigeria (Published)
The discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in the Niger Delta was echoes of riches and wealth to the region and the country, Nigeria but the Niger Delta environment and aquatic ecosystems suffers great anthropogenic pollutions to its biodiversity: birds, animals, plants and crops; fishes and wildlife. This article has reviewed the effects of crude oil spill on the aquatic life (fish) in the Niger Delta, examining cases of oil spill incidences, impacts of oil exploration and exploitation on the environment, management of oil spill on living aquatic resources; biomagnification and threat to biodiversity and food security. It also examined the extent of crude oil removal techniques, and finally proffer possible mitigations and compensations for oil spills incidences in the Niger Delta. We are left with a great question: can gas flaring and illegal refineries be stopped, in the Niger Delta? The Niger Delta waters and the aquatic biodiversity should be protected; the government and multi-national oil companies should launch a clean-up programme on the affected areas/the region, and the management of spills (both of catastrophic and local dimensions) will play a leading role by enacting and enforcing stringent environmental laws that will protect the oil producing communities/areas. Government should be able to identify natural resources (such as wetlands and coastal zones) in Nigeria and monetary investment in environmental protection of vulnerable areas should be seriously looked into.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Bioremediation, Fish, Mitigation, Pollution, Wetland, aquatic resources, biomagnification
Effects of Illegal Refineries On Aquatic Life in The Niger Delta, Nigeria: A Review (Published)
The effects of illegal refineries (“kpo-fire”) and aquatic life in the Niger Delta are reviewed on fish species and ecological systems. The biodiversity of the region has seriously been damaged, killing fishes and aquatic wildlife. Illegal artisanal refining strongly pollutes the ecosystems (air, water, and land); resulting to human ill-health, food insecurities, fish massive mortalities, to mention a few. And, the Federal Government trying to curb the menace, succeeded in doubling the effects by using its military Joint Task Force (JTF) to blow up illegal refining stations (refineries), killing humans, animals, fishes, microbes and generating carbon in the atmosphere, which precipitates as acid rain and sleet to the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Illegal refining is practiced due to failure of the multi-national companies and the Federal Republic of Nigeria government on mitigation and compensation to the Niger Delta, especially engaging the youth on meaningful venture. Nevertheless, there is a ceaseless call by the Niger Delta region; to cushion the effects of illegal refineries. It is crystal clear that lives (humans, animals and fishes) are endangered in the Niger Delta and the illegal refineries needs to be stopped to save the region and its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna forthwith.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Conservation, Pollution, aquatic resources, crude oil, fisheries