Dar Zarrouk Parameter as a Tool for Evaluation of Well Locations in Afikpo and Ohaozara, Southeastern Nigeria

The inhabitants of this area depend solely on contact springs as supply source of potable water. However, provision of potable water to meet the needs of the people still remains an unsolved problem. Therefore, this paper attempts to solve this problem by using Dar Zarrouk (D-Z) Parameters;Total Transverse Unit Resistance, T (Ωm2) and Total Longitudinal Unit Conductance, S (Ω-1) to suggest optimal locations for drilling of boreholes in the study area. To attain this purpose, 50 Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) curves with maximum current electrode spacing of AB/2 = 681 m were interpreted. Thus, the aquifer parameters information estimated from the (VES) curves were used to prepare contour maps of T (Ωm2), S (Ω-1), aquifer thickness h (m), aquifer resistivity ρ (Ωm), and Water Table Depth (WTD). For effective use of these parameters, iso-thickness and iso-resistivity maps were compared with contour map of transverse resistance. The good agreement between these parameters provided the basis for identification of prolific aquiferous zones. It was observed that the Southern part of the study area majorly underlain by the Afikpo Sandstone of Nkporo Formation (Campanian-Maastrichtian), relatively showed higher T (Ωm2), h (m), and ρ (Ωm) values, which implies high yield aquiferous zones. The relatively loose structure of this sandstone unit, coarse grains, and sorting enables it to be porous and permeable. The Northern part of the region which shows low values for T (Ωm2), h (m), and ρ (Ωm) suggests low productivity for the aquiferous zones. The paucity of water in this parts of the study area can be explained to be as a result of the dominant geology. The high S, values at the Uburu and Okposi locations in this region suggests the presence of saline aquifer. This study would be relevant to the development of effective ground water scheme and for future hydrogeological investigations in the area.

Hydrogeology of Eastern Niger Delta: A Review

This paper characterizes the aquifer system of the Niger Delta for sustainable development of the groundwater resource. The heavy-dependence on groundwater in the region and the fears of its unsustainability triggered by the weak regulations, pollution, increasing user population and industrialization coupled with the present limited knowledge of the true geological condition prevailing within the groundwater domain of the Niger Delta are the considerations that compelled this review study. The hydraulic properties of the region’s aquifers are discussed. The Niger Delta is characterized by a complex multilayered aquifer system hosted in the Benin Formation with the main body of fresh water, with increasing occurrence of intercalating clay units towards the coast. Lithological analysis indicates the prevalence of unconsolidated sand and sandy gravels in the aquiferous horizons, presenting them as pervious and prolific aquifers. Reported hydrochemical data gathered from wells drilled suggest that the quality of groundwater in the Niger Delta is considered generally very good and compares favorably with WHO standards for drinking water. However, relatively high iron/manganese and chloride values are localized in time and space. In the coastal areas however, seawater intrusion has been identified as one of the major influences on hydrochemistry of groundwater in the shallow unconfined aquifers. Regional groundwater flow direction is from north to south. Changes in groundwater flow directions which occur at some places generally serve localized discharge areas. The resultant flow path eventually joins and feeds the major regional north-south flow direction. The increasing pressure on groundwater, the need for urgent attention and the absence of strong institutions and regulations have made the management of groundwater resources in the region a difficult task. Therefore, future ground water resources development in the Niger Delta requires adequate observational data, investments in infrastructure and an integrated management approach to ensure optimal basin-wide benefits.

Regional Air Quality of the Nigeria’s Niger Delta

There is no systematic attempt to evaluate the air quality of any settlement in the Niger Delta region over a long period. Records of air quality data for this study were generated through secondary sources from impact assessment of facilities aimed at implementing air quality regulations on the environment. Suspended particulate matter in the region’s atmosphere ranged from 40 mg/m3 in Brass to 98 mg/m3 in Port Harcourt. Carbon monoxide concentrations were highest in Mbiama (191 mg/m3). Nitrogen dioxide concentration was highest in Bonny (187 mg/m3), and sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 19 mg/m3 in Ukwugba to 90 mg/m3 in Port Harcourt. Total hydrocarbon ranged from 78 mg/m3 in Odukpani to 192 mg/m3 in Nchia. Carbon dioxide ranged from 400 ppm in Buguma to 450 ppm in Port Harcourt. The most abundant of the VOCs is benzene and toluene. Ethylene was detected only in one station at concentration of 0.1 mg/m3 which was negligible. The most abundant of the metals was zinc, which was present at above 2 mg/m3 in most of the study settlements. In remote settlements like Buguma and Emuoha, some of the metals were not detected at all. In some instances, short-term limits for the pollutants exceeded WHO standards. The need for stakeholders in the region to articulate initiatives that support quality environmental practices was emphasized as laws pertaining to air quality regulations which are weak and less enforceable.

Evaluating the Potential Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera Seeds Biomass as an Adsorbent in the Removal of Copper (Cu) in Water

This study was based on the evaluation of the potential effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seeds biomass as a biosorbent in the removal of copper (Cu) in water which was justified by the level of toxicity, environmental unfriendliness and costly nature of chemical coagulants presently used. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was used to identify the Moringa oleifera seeds biomass functional groups present in the adsorption of metal ions and found to be the carboxylic acid and amine functional groups (-COOH and -NH). The effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, metal ion concentration and pH were studied. The maximum adsorption capacity at pH 5, room temperature and 0.8 g dosage was 70% for Cu(II). The adsorption data fitted better to the Langmuir than the Freundlich models as the sorption capacity (qm) of Moringa oleifera seeds biomass for Cu(II) was 3.64 mg/g. The separation factor (RL) was within the range of 0 and 1 which showed that the Cu(II) biosorption processes were favourable for Moringa oleifera biosorbent. The results showed that Moringa oleifera seed biomass is an effective adsorbent in the removal of the studied heavy metals in water. The effective pH for the Cu(II) removal was 5.0 as equilibrium was achieved practically in 35 min. The quantitative analysis of defatted Moringa oleifera should be studied in order to have a fair mixing ratio between Moringa oleifera seeds biomass and the adsorbate. There is also the ardent need to work on environmentally friendly disposal of adsorbent after saturation of adsorbent by analyte to avoid secondary pollution.

Typical Hydraulic Properties of Deep Aquifers of Niger Delta from Pumping Test Data

The hydraulic properties of deeper Coastal Plain Sands, which form the main aquifer in the Niger Delta, were investigated around Eleme, Rivers State. The intent was to find out if frequent well failure was as a result of the aquifer not having enough transmitting capacity to sustain the huge withdrawal necessary for Eleme and its environs where demand for groundwater withdrawal is very high because Eleme axis serves as a major industrial axis of River State or whether the frequent well failure was due to inefficient well construction practice. Constant discharge pumping tests were conducted in 8 deep borehole (250 - 310 m). Data generated during the test were analysed using Cooper-Jacob’s straight line method. The calculated transmissivity of the aquifers ranged from 1324 m2/day - 5815 m2/day. These values when compared with transmissivity values elsewhere indicate that the aquifers in the study area have excellent water yielding properties, plotting within the range of “Very Good” in water transmitting capacity scale. Coefficient of permeability ranged from 13.65 m/d - 59.9 m/d. Coefficient of Storage ranged from 28.2 × 10-5 - 29.1 × 10-5 while the Specific capacities of the wells ranged from 48.75 3 - 78.13 m3/d/m. It is concluded that the deep aquifers of the Niger Delta do possess the capacity to produce and sustain large groundwater withdrawal. It is further recommended that competent drilling contractors be engaged in deep well construction in the area.

Physico-Chemistry of Elechi Creek in the Upper Bonny Estuary, Rivers State, Nigeria

The physico-chemistry of tidal Elechi Creek in the upper Bonny Estuary was investigated to assess the toxicity of the water body as this could have adverse effects on the native organisms that form part of the ecosystem and to evaluate the extent and magnitude of petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metal concentration in the water body. Standard field procedures were adopted in sample collection while laboratory analysis was carried out also following standard methods. Parameters measured include pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), electrical conductivity, salinity and total dissolved solids (TDS). Heavy metals namely Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), nitrate (NO3), sulphate (SO4), Ammonia (NH4), and Total Hydrocarbon Concentration (THC) in the surface water body were also determined on samples collected from five (5) sampling stations spread along the creek in both dry and wet seasons. The results showed that the surface water body is oligohaline with low acidity, pH values ranging from 6.2 to 7.6. Temperature varies from 27&#176C to 30&#176C. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) concentration ranges from 2.9 to 7.5 mg/l which is adequate for aquatic organism with Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) values varying from 0.45 to 7.0 mg/l. The values of total dissolved solids (TDS) vary from 11,700 mg/l to 26,250 mg/l with the highest mean value obtained at the study station located downstream. The mean nutrient concentration showed that the study area is not eutropic. Anthropogenic activities were very high at the sites throughout the period of the study and may have resulted in the stress conditions of the area. Pollution trend along the study stations showed that no one station is unpolluted. The study recommends the introduction of enforceable and stringent waste management plans to highlight and discourage direct discharge of untreated waste and storm water runoff into an aquatic environment.

Public-Private Partnership Arrangement in <i>In-Situ</i>Housing for Slum Rehabilitation in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The provision of decent accommodation is a major challenge to government in the developing nations. It is a common phenomenon in the urban centres of the developing nations where most houses are in deplorable conditions. The houses are overcrowded with little or no air space between them. There is no basic sanitation in the urban centres as they lack flush toilet, some of the few available flush toilets are piped into seasonal streams, most houses lack defined kitchen areas and healthy sewage disposal method. The cities lack good access roads and functional drainage system with a common practice of environmentally-unfriendly solid waste management methods that create various health challenges to urban dwellers. The aim of the study is to show how in-situ Housing method of slum rehabilitation can be applied through Public/Private Partnership to upgrade houses within a major slum area in Yenagoa. This shall be done with an agreement between the property owners, Real Estate investors and the state government. Basic Research Methodology was applied using questionnaire, direct observation and personal interview techniques to collect data. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were applied to analyse data through the use of tables and charts. The findings in the study showed that poor housing condition seriously degrade the environmental quality of the study area. The standard of living in the area is very poor as the people lack access to decent accommodation, basic sanitation and social amenities.