Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Purposes and Classification for Hydrochemical Facies in Parts of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

As a result of economic development and rapid growth of the population in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, there have been clear changes in the use of land, resulting in increased demand for water for various uses including agricultural activities. This study examined groundwater quality and classification of hydrochemical facies of communities in the study area. Fifteen (15) communities within the LGA were selected and groundwater from hand-dug well (HDW-15 samples) and borehole (BH-15 samples) was sourced during the wet season (July) and dry season (March) and analyzed for seasonal variation, irrigation purposes and hydrochemical facies classification using a standard method. Based on Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) classification scheme, all groundwater sources in the area are excellent for irrigation purposes because they all have SAR values <3. This implies that SAR values of <3 will not threaten vegetation. The value of sodium percentage (Na%) ranges from 29.81% to 66.13% and 23.30% to 71.89% for hand dug wells in both wet and dry seasons. Similarly, the value of Na% ranged from 3.57% to 16.32% and 3.38% to 19.60% for borehole water in both wet and dry seasons. The groundwater hydrochemistry facies analysis indicated that there was an adjustment in groundwater chemistry during dry season while HDW and BH are linked to different sources. Groundwater in the communities are contaminated for both sources and season;however, showed potential for irrigational purpose. There is a need for continuous monitoring of the water quality, improvement in environmental and sanitation practices while treatment of water is strongly advised.

The Role of Social Networks on Shrimp Fishers’ Access to Information and Gear in Rivers State

Access to information and appropriate fishing gear is fundamental to the protection and conservation of the fisheries resources to guarantee sustainable livelihood of the fishers. Social networks in eight fishing settlements of Rivers State were purposively selected to assess the role of networks on access and use of information and gear among the shrimp fishers. The cross-sectional study used mixed methods to elicit data. Data obtained were subjected to content analysis and MAXQDA 2018 software to generate project maps showing information and fishing gear accessed and used. Results show that 24.8%(31) of respondents joined social network due to information sharing behavior of network members. Information was shared through one-on-one interactions, group meetings, fish buyers and phone calls. Out of the 96.8%(121) of respondents belonging to shrimp fishers’ network, 23.2% attended meetings for at least four times a month while 22.4% attended meetings for more than four times a month. Information shared bordered on price of shrimps, weather and tide, fishing grounds and traps, water level, timing of fishing and processing techniques. Respondents revealed that information shared in their networks was correct, adequate and timely. Fishing gear accessed and used proficiently was dragnet, cast net and beach seine. In all, the evidence from the interview responses suggests that networks play a key role in shrimp fishers’ access and use of information and fishing gear. Fishers are therefore, encouraged to be in one network or the other.