Unsustainable monitoring of environmental pollutants, post UNEP report: The effects of leachates on Niger Delta Eco-zones, Nigeria

Abstract

This expository study revealed the continuum impact of unsustainable monitoring of environmental pollutants (oil-spills and leachates) nearly a decade after UNEP impact assessment report on Ogoniland and Niger Delta eco-zones. The background is focused on pollutants that have continued threats to the environment and ecologically sensitive areas in the region. It infers the dimensions and dynamics of management failures and poor attitude towards environmental policy implementations. A structured questionnaire was adopted using an online survey approach. The target audience includes academicians, undergraduates, and postgraduates. The majority are from Niger Delta, the region where this research was carried out. An online questionnaire was sent across to 30 respondents through e-mail and others, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Their feedback was processed, analysed, and presented in graphics. We found pollution contributions to the mangrove forest to be 47%, oil exploration 77%. The effects were more on soil, water, and air quality. The water bodies are constantly losing the variety of its resources caused by the release of untreated leachates, industrial waste, and petrochemicals. A rather deteriorating fate lies ahead of the people as population increases, and environmental policies and monitoring seem ineffective. The study will be beneficial to the government, policymakers, waste agencies, researchers, etc.