LIABILITY AND ASSET – TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HELEN O. ATAIKIRU: 5TH COEWA INAUGURAL LECTURE

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WASTE - LIABILITY AND ASSET –

TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Delivered By

DR (MRS) HELEN OGAGAOGHENE ATAIKIRU

B.Sc (Ibadan), PGDE, M.Sc, Ph.D (Benin) CHIEF LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, WARRI

DATE: TUESDAY 9TH MARCH, 2021

INAUGURAL LECTURE

OF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

WARRI, DELTA STATE,

NIGERIA


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WASTE - LIABILITY AND ASSET - TO

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PRESENTED BY

DR (MRS) HELEN OGAGAOGHENE ATAIKIRU B.Sc ( Ibadan ), PGDE , M.Sc, Ph.D ( Benin)

Chief Lecturer, Department of Chemistry,

College of Education, Warri

5TH IN THE SERIES OF

INAUGURAL LECTURE

OF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION,

WARRI, DELTA STATE NIGERIA

TUESDAY 9TH MARCH, 2021.


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Copyright © H. Ogagaoghene Ataikiru (Mrs), 2021.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise without the prior

permission of the author.

Published By

College of Education, Warri,

Delta State, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

1SSN: 2651-5563


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DEDICATION

This lecture is dedicated to Sir (Chief) S.U Onwo, the first

Registrar of this great Institution and Mrs Virginia Onwo of

Blessed memory, for their unclenched interest in the education of

their children. They were very loving, devoted and sacrificial to

this course, and to my beloved, loving, caring, patient and

understanding husband, Pastor Eng. Lucky Ataikiru and our

beloved children.


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TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT PAGE

Dedication ----------------------------------------------------- iv

Protocol -------------------------------------------------------- 1

Preamble -------------------------------------------------------- 2

Introduction ------------------------------------------------------ 4

Waste ----------------------------------------------------------- 8

Zero Waste------------------------------------------------------- 8

Composition of waste ----------------------------------------- 10

Poor waste management in Nigeria ---------------------- 14

Open dump ----------------------------------------------------- 15

Heavy metals ---------------------------------------------------- 16

Environmental pollution ------------------------------------ 18

Water pollution ----------------------------------------------------- 19

Effects of heavy metals: Cadmium poisoning -------------- 22

Lead poisoning ---------------------------------------------------- 24

Iron poisoning ----------------------------------------------------- 26

Land pollution ----------------------------------------------------- 28

Nickel poisoning ---------------------------------------------------- 29

Metal mobility in soil ----------------------------------- 31

Chromium poisoning -------------------------------------------- 34

Mobility factor of Cr, Pb Zn, and Mn in soil of Esisi

open dump ------------------------------------------------ 35

Copper poisoning ------------------------------------------------ 36

Spatial variation of heavy metals in soil ------------------ 39

Heavy metals in plants ----------------------------------------- 43


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Manganese poisoning --------------------------------------------- 46

Zinc poisoning -------------------------------------------------- 52

Air pollution -------------------------------------------------------- 57

Covid – 19 ------------------------------------------------------------- 64

Plastic pollution ----------------------------------------------------- 67

Waste to wealth----------------------------------------------------- 70

Recycling-------------------------------------------------------------- 78

Sorting out---------------------------------------------------------- 82

Conclusion ----------------------------------------------------------- 83

Recommendation ------------------------------------------------- 84

Acknowledgement ------------------------------------------------- 85

References -------------------------------------------------------- 90

Biography ------------------------------------------------------ 103


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PROTOCOL

The Honourable Commissioner for Education,

The Chairman, Governing Council of the College,

The Provost,

The Deputy Provost,

Members of Council Present,

The Registrar,

The College Librarian,

THE College Bursar,

Acting Director of Works,

Deans of Schools and Student Affairs, Directors, HODS

And Other Officers of the College,

Respected Chiefs of our Kingdoms here present,

My Lord Spiritual,

Executive Members of the various staff unions,

Members of the immediate family of our inaugural lecturer

today,

Staff and Students of the College,

Gentlemen of the Press,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen


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PREAMBLE

Honour, glory, majesty and praise be to our God Almighty to have

ordained this day specially for me to have this special encounter and

experience. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised Psalm 48:1a.

I feel honoured and privileged to deliver the 5th inaugural lecture of this

noble Institution, College of Education, Warri, this day 9th of March

2021.

I appreciate everybody present for making it a day with me and the

college, I am humbled by your distinguished presence. May God Bless

you all in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Provost Ma, this is the first lecture in the College of Education

inaugural lecture series to be given by a lecturer from Chemistry

Department and School of Science since its inception in 1982, and it is

the 5th in the College.

Provost ma, permit me to reiterate that in the academic system,

inaugural lectures are given and may serve to define the scope of a

particular discipline or area of specialization, and work to date,

including current research of a scholar elevated to the post of an

Associate Professor (Chief Lecturer) in the College of Education and

professor in the University. Professor Oyewole said that an inaugural

lecture (in our academic environment) is a humble but noble attempt to

present to a mixed audience in an understandable language what has

engaged the academic attention and the relevance or otherwise of it to

the socio-economic or socio-cultural development of humanity,

especially in the immediate environment (Oyewole 2002)

The output of a College can only be as good as the quality of the

academic staff, as a result, permit me Provost Ma, to doff my hat as a

tribute to the visionary leadership qualities of the pioneer management


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staff of this noble institution, who by instituting the staff development

programme, laid a strong foundation for the academic growth and

development of this great Institution.

Choice of Title: Provost Ma, it is noticed that sicknesses and death rate

is on the increase and people don’t know the real cause of the ailment

that resulted to their death except for COVID - 19. In today’s lecture, I

will therefore be speaking on the topic “WASTE -LIABILITY AND

ASSET – TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.


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INTRODUCTION

Industrialization and commercialization processes produce goods and

provide services to satisfy societal needs and make life more

comfortable. However, these processes often cause tremendous

damage to our environment. The world is experiencing the negative

consequences of environmental degradation due largely to negative

natural and human activities. Every human activity has both positive

and negative consequences or impact. Over time in developing

countries such as Nigeria, individuals and organisations resort to

burning, flaring and dumping of wastes as procedures for managing

solids, gaseous, and liquid waste(effluent). Sadly these procedures are

not sustainable and only manage to transfer pollutants to other forms of

pollutants or sites. They also result in environmental degradation,

climate change, acid rain etc in Niger Delta region and beyond.

Dumping of heavy metals and other pollutants do not effectively

manage waste or pollutants. Thus, we must manage the waste or

impacts of our industries and operations on the environment on the

basis of sustainable developmental techniques. There are various ways

waste are released into our environment and this causes so much harm

to our health.

I will at this junction, attempt to define the key terms in the title: Waste,

Asset, Liability, and Development.

‘Waste’ is of a material, substance, or unwanted by-product, useless,

worthless and hence discarded.

Dictionary defines ‘Asset’ as a person or thing that is valuable or useful

to somebody or something.


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‘Liability’ is a person or thing whose presence or behaviour is likely

to put one at a disadvantage, a burden, shortcoming, impediment, cross

to bear.

‘Development’ is the process that creates growth, progress, positive

change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and

demographic components, an event constituting a new stage in a

changing situation, building potential, maturity and advancement.


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Fig1; Metal scraps, gas flaring and open dumps in Nigeria.

Our goal is to achieve zero waste level in all our industrial, commercial,

domestic etc. endeavours in order to mimic developed countries and

attain a more conducive, safe environment.


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WASTE

Waste is eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after

the completion of a process. Waste is also called pollutant, when they

pollute the physical environment, it is called environmental pollution.

Environmental pollution is therefore the addition to the natural

environment of any substance or energy form at a rate that results in

higher than natural concentrations of that substance.

There are different types of waste depending on the part of the

environment where it exists.

There are three major types of pollution – Lithospheric (land) pollution,

hydrospheric (water) pollution and atmospheric (air) pollution. As a

consequence of human activities and increased production of

consumable products, a large amount of waste is being generated

ZERO WASTE

The definition adopted by the Zero waste international alliance (Zero

Waste International Alliance, 2018), is the conversion of all resources

by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery

of all products without burning them and without discharge to land,

water or air that threatens the environment or human health. The goal

is that, no trash is to be sent to the landfills, incinerators or the ocean.

Zero waste refers to waste prevention as opposed to end-of-pipe waste

management (Dickinson, 2001).

In order to ensure sustainable development, countries world-wide have

developed policies and strategies to combat environmental pollution

such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) protocol. EIA Act No

86, 1992 was promulgated by the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is


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a statutory requirement in Nigeria for all proposed projects but never

complied with. Sweden has nearly reached zero waste level and imports

at least two million tonnes of rubbish from other European countries as

a result of an astonishing recycling revolution (Trtworld, 2019)

Wales, aims to achieve zero waste by 2050 and the EU is looking at

adopting a new target for 2030 to achieve 65% zero waste (World

Economic Forum, 201

Provost Ma, I don’t know the year Nigeria is looking at to achieve zero

waste as some citizens drop waste indiscriminately as they walk.

Fig 2: A man dropping waste on the ground.


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King County, Washington adopted a policy to work towards zero waste

of resources by 2030, meaning that materials of economic value,

whether for reuse, resale or recycling won’t be put in the garbage and

end up in the landfill.

Twenty - three global cities and regions advance towards zero waste

(King County, 2018). Due to lack of proper waste management culture

in Nigeria, this practise is yet to take root as African’s largest economy

continues to lose billions of Naira to open dumps annually. Nigeria is

the giant of African and the most populous black nation on Earth, it is

most unfortunate that the first monumental thing most foreigners

observe is the heap of waste, filth that seems to surround the whole

place and they say ‘see waste in you streets’. Nigeria must therefore

wake up and adopt the (3RS) principles of waste management, which

are Reclamation, Recycling and Reuse.

COMPOSITION OF WASTE

Waste are of different types, solid, liquid and gas. Waste includes

materials like Heavy metals, thermometers, plastics, animal waste or

manure, fertilizer, pesticides, food, paper, wood, textiles, disposable

diapers, waste water (Effluent), waste oil, cloths, wood, alloys,

preservatives, batteries, chemicals, paints, drugs, agricultural residues,

rubber and leather, glass, ash, dirt, dust, dead body of livestock, coins,

bandages, Covid – 19 used masks, Covid – 19 test kits, electronic waste

such as TV Sets, cell phones, computer monitors which use cathode ray

tube, etc (Ataikiru et al., 2014) .

Provost Ma, waste is a poison but our Nigerians do not know how to

dispose of it properly. In some local government areas, they are


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dropped at the road pavement as if they are flowers or some other forms

of street decoration.

Fig 3; Waste on road pavement

Without remorse Ma, Nigerians litter the street from their cars .


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Fig 4: A man littering the street from his car.

To one’s amazement, some dwell with the open dump in their

immediate vicinity.


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Fig 5; Open dumps in Lagos and Effurun


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POOR WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

Solid waste handling and disposal is a major environmental problem in

many urban centres in Nigeria. By definition waste management is the

process that involves the collection, transformation and recycling or

proper disposal of waste. It encompasses management processes and

resources that ensure proper handling of waste products. Management

of the resources involves maintenance of the transportation trucks and

the dumping facilities so that they comply with the environmental

regulation as well as health codes. The primary objective of waste

management is to avoid the adverse effect of waste to human health

and natural environment. The greatest danger to the quality of our

environment is posed by human activities such as poorly organised and

unregulated disposal of industrial and domestic waste as well as crude

oil spill. These are the major causes of environmental deterioration

(Mombeshora et al., 1991). There has been no strict law on the disposal

of waste in Nigeria. There has been indiscriminate citing of factories in

many places. Municipal waste in the form of garbage and waste from

food processing plants has been incinerated or simply dumped

(Amusan et al., 1999). The soil has traditionally been an important

medium for organic waste disposal (Marshall et al., 1996). Burrowed

pits and water-logged areas disposal of urban solid waste is presently

practiced and appears as a logical solution to the problem of solid waste

management and such areas are used for agricultural practices. Within

some limits, some wastes enhance soil fertility and can improve the

physical properties of soil. When waste management is properly carried

out and carefully monitored to supply the crop fertilizer needs of urban

farmers, it reduces their cost of production.


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Small farmers and co-operative farms produce vegetables and other

crops in old garbage dumps in small and large cities around the world

where improper management of municipal waste exists. However, such

vegetables and crops are not safe for human consumptions.

Lack of effective waste management in overcrowded modern cities can

have substantial negative effects that include the fetid waterways,

emitting stench from sewage which spreads diseases and harbouring

vehicles that spew leaded fumes into dust filled air. (Helmore and

Ratta, 1995)

OPEN DUMP.

The use of open dumps continues to be the most common solid waste

disposal method in the world. Although developed countries use other

safer but more expensive alternative methods, developing countries

continue to use the open dumping method. Individuals, households and

commercial enterprises generate a vast amount of solid wastes which

are dumped in open dumps.

These wastes consist of chemical elements such as mercury, cadmium,

chromium, lead, nickel, manganese, zinc etc. These wastes deteriorate,

degrade overtime, break into small pieces and their metallic

constituents are released and deposited into the soil, and they mix up

with the soil. The heavy metals in soil solution are absorbed by the root

hairs of plants and are translocated to the other parts of the plant.

(Conessa et al., 2006; Shukla et al., 2007; Ataikiru et al., 2016;

Abdullahi et al., 2017; Skinnera et al., 2006). Metals are neither created

nor destroyed. Through food chain, the heavy metals are transferred

into man as seen below.


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Fig 6: Food Chain

Open dumps are responsible for major problems related to public health

and environmental pollution.

HEAVY METALS.

Heavy metals are metals with density greater than 4g/cm3. Heavy metal

poisoning is caused by the accumulation of certain metals in the body

due to exposure to food, water, industrial chemicals or other sources.

While our bodies need small amount of some heavy metals known as

essential metals such as zinc, copper, iron and manganese, large

amounts are harmful. Heavy metals contamination in soil is a major

concern to humans because of their toxicity. They are threat to human

life and the environment. Increase in concentration of Iron, manganese,

copper, zinc, nickel and others can exert toxicological effect (Orlou et

al., 1992). The heavy metals that are mostly deleterious to humans even

at low concentration are mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and

chromium (VI), they are known as non- essential metals. These metals


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tend to accumulate in the brain, kidney and immune system where they

can severely disrupt the normal function (Gerstner et al, 1997; Nation

et al., 1985). The heavy metals inhibit the enzymes which catalyse

biochemical processes of the cells. Studies have shown that most of the

rivers passing through heavily urbanised and industrial areas contain

highly elevated concentration of some heavy metals.

Despite the clinical poisoning and detrimental consequences associated

with the accumulated nature of heavy metals in humans and fish

respectively, there is indiscriminate pollution of water sources by

industries which discharge untreated liquid waste into the rivers. It is

however established that there is a strong link between some very

prevalent complex health problems (cancer, heart disease, hypertension

etc) and environmental factors which include the presence of excessive

levels of heavy metals and other environmental pollutants (Ataikiru et

al., 2008)

Both arsenic and cadmium are known carcinogens, meaning long term

exposure to these metals increases a person’s risk of cancer

(Tchounwou et al., 2012)

The heavy metals often considered by monitoring programmes of

heavy metals pollution are Hg, Cd, Pb, As (Williams, 1972), Cr, Sc, Ni,

Co, Cu, Mo, V, Fe, Mn (Kipling, 1977).

At very low concentrations, some heavy metals are essential to healthy

cellular activity. At high concentrations, however, these metals can be

toxic.

Since most concentrations encountered during drilling and production

are relatively low, the environmental impact is generally observed only

after chronic exposure or continued petroleum exploration which

results in large quantities of these heavy metals being released into the


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restricted environment. They are also released through oil spillages,

sabotage, discharge of effluent into the environment. Crude oil spills

from tankers and oil rigs have foiled beaches and threatened the rich

coastal marine life. Heavy metals are usually present at ppb levels in a

polluted or moderately polluted natural source, but biological systems

accumulate these metals by factors as high as 1000 times or more

(Lucas, 1974). This accumulation is passed onto the food chain in ppm

or higher levels in fish, animals and plants until the metals are finally

consumed by man in a very much accumulated amount and will

continue to build up.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.

Environmental pollution is the result of rapid industrialization and

technological advancement, agricultural technology and unprecedented

increase in population. The increased technological advancement,

urbanisation, industrial revolution, the intensive use of raw materials

and agricultural technology have no doubt improved our lifestyles, but

these advancements have simultaneously polluted the natural

environment (Mani et al., 2005). They introduce into the ecosystem

toxic chemical substances which bring about the pollution of the

environment. With the advent of modern agricultural processes - the

use of fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals, our ecosystem is

adversely polluted. Once chemicals enter the environment, they are

subjected to various degradation reactions such as hydrolysis,

photolysis and bio-degradation. Without the activities of micro-

organisms in nature, the environment would be subdued by hazardous

waste (Fedorak, 1970). The level of environmental pollution can be

estimated according to the changes in geographical distribution of the

various groups of organisms and their morphological, cytological and

physiological changes (Shuaibu et al., 2002).


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The physical environment is made up of land, water and air.

Interactions occur between land, water and air, any disturbance of any

of them affects the other. .Environmental pollution is considered as a

side effect of modern industrial society (Lakshmi and Scridevi, 2009).

WATER POLLUTION.

In aquatic ecosystem, heavy metals have received considerable

attention due to their toxicity and accumulation in biota and fish (Javed,

2002). Various means which are convenient for the industries are used

for the disposal of both solid and liquid waste products. Many of the

industries discharge their waste directly without any treatment into the

lakes, streams, rivers, oceans as well as open land, and contaminate the

ground water through seepage.

Heavy metals from studies are found in the effluents discharged into a

body of water from the activities of the petroleum and allied industries.

Comprehensive studies of heavy metals in various Nigeria’s crude oils

have shown that they contain relatively high concentrations of Fe, Cu,

Zn, Pb and Hg (Kakulu, 1985).

Contaminated water, soil and air by effluents from the industries are

associated with heavy disease burden (Ikhuoria et al.,, 2006), and this

could be part of the reason for the shorter life expectancy in the country

(WHO, 2003), when compared to developed nations. Some heavy

metals contained in these effluents (either in free form or adsorbed in

the suspended solids) have been found to be carcinogenic (Tanburlini,

2002), while other chemicals equally present are poisonous depending

on the dose and exposure duration (Solden, 2003).

In fish, the toxic effects of heavy metals may influence physiological

functions, individual growth rates, reproduction and mortality. Heavy

metals may enter fish bodies in three possible ways; through the body


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surface, gills or the digestive tract (Javed, 2005). In order to evaluate

the concentration and effect of heavy metals in the aquatic

environment, analysis of the water, biological organisms such as

shrimps, fish, periwinkle etc had been a valuable source of information.


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Fig 7: Oil spillage at Ogoni and affected fish.

EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS

CADMIUM POISONING

The most famous disease caused by cadmium (Cd) poisoning is itai -

itai.

Itai -itai disease is a disease in which the calcium in the bones of human

beings are replaced with Cd. The disease causes the bones to soften,

body to shrink and the patient eventually die a painful death. Other

possible effects include aminoaciduria, glucosuria, phosphaturia

(WHO, 1996). Cadmium has been classified as group (1) carcinogen


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for humans by the international agency for research on cancer. It

accumulates particularly in the kidney, the liver, the lungs and the

blood forming organ (Divrikii et al.,, 2006)

Fig8: Effects of Cadmium

Ataikiru and Okolo ( 2008) investigated the concentration of cadmium

in shrimps and periwinkles from Escravos river, Mangrove swamp

Creeks, to establish if the cadmium metal contaminant of the shrimps

and periwinkles are in harmful concentrations. The values obtained in

the fleshy tissue and shells of the shrimps and periwinkles showed that

the tissue of periwinkles contained as much as 0.08μg/g cadmium,

while the shell contained 0.06μg/g Cd. The levels found in the shells of

the shrimp was 0.07μg/g Cd, while the tissue of shrimps contain as

much as 0.04μg/g cadmium. These values obtained showed that, the Cd

level in the fleshy tissue of shrimps is lower than that of the shell of

shrimp in accordance with Ogbonda (1992), while the Cd in the fleshy

tissue of periwinkles is higher than that of the shell. The values


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obtained were higher than the WHO/FAO (2003) maximum

permissible level (0.005ppm). With continued exploration and oil

prospect more of this heavy metal is released into the Escravos River

and the metal continuously gets into the shrimps and the periwinkles

and eventually gets into the human beings who eat them. Metals are

neither created nor destroyed, thereby accumulates in the organs in the

bodies of the human beings.

Escravos is a major oil producing community in Delta State. Nigeria.

It has many oil rigs, flow station and tank farm, the oil spillage that

occurred at the NNPC tank farm near Escravos in 1986, was so

devastating that the village head of Ugbagugun cried out that farmlands

had been turned to marsh land with meandering muddy creek in most

parts.

LEAD POISONING.

Lead has the following effects on man, damage to the teeth, liver,

kidney, reproductive system, brain, knee joint, finger nails and central

nervous system. Lead also causes restlessness, irritability, poor

attention span. On children, mental retardation and other central

nervous system damage. Lead found in the blood and urine of urban

dwellers may be concentrated enough to affect their bodies ability to

manufacture blood and can bound to the haemoglobin thus limiting the

transport of oxygen and can also result in a wide range of acute and

chronic sicknesses and diseases (Papanikolaou, et al,2005 and

Markowitz et al., 2000).

The concentration of lead found in the water from Tombia stream with

close proximity to an open dump in Yenagoa Local Government Area

was 1.08mgl-1 (Ataikiru et al., 2018), which is higher than the

permissible limit prescribed by WHO (0.01mgL-1) and DPR limit

(0.05mgL-1). Tombia stream is used for fishing, swimming and other


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domestic purposes by the inhabitants. Water quality is very important

and so it is imperative to determine its suitability for drinking, other

domestic uses, agriculture and industrial purposes . Waste effluent

discharge from flow station into the immediate environment of owhe

in Isoko North Local Government Area was also analysed and lead

content was < 0.01mgL-1 which is below the WHO standard of

0.01mgL-1.

Fig 9 :Effect of lead on man’s teeth, hands, knees’ bone


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IRON POISONING

Heavy metal contamination of the environment of Ogini in

Ethiope West Local Government Area was determined. Ogini oil field

was discovered by SHELL in 1964 and brought on-stream in 1971 and

is the larger of the two currently producing fields with estimated STOIP

of 677mmbbls (www .csistockbrokers.com).

Excessive concentration of Fe may lead to Iron overload.

Although Iron is an essential mineral, diseases of ageing such as

Alzheimer’s disease, other neurodegenerative diseases,

arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and others have been linked to excess

Iron intake (Brewer, 2009).


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Fig10: Iron causing Alzheimer’s disease, teeth decay and diabetes

mellitus

The mean concentration of Iron determined in the effluent from the

flow station in Ogini was 2.30mgL-1 (Ataikiru et al, 2003), this is above

the WHO standard (>1) and DPR limit (1.00). The value obtained may

represent an early stage in the accumulation of the metal since no

previous impact of flow station discharge of heavy metals in the

environment of Ogini has been thoroughly investigated in this manner.

However, there may be accumulation of these pollutants in the animals

that live in these areas, for example fish in the ponds and lakes, the

birds and human beings that prey on them. It is therefore suggested that

government should without favour monitor compliance of the flow

station operators with environmental safety through the ministry of

Environment. Environment impact assessment (EIA) should form an

integral part of the company’s planning process and should be


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continuous. This can be used in the future as a baseline data for

monitoring the industrial environment as a form of check and balances.

Pollution parameters of effluents from a cotton wool factory in

Benin City revealed that large aggregates of suspended solids (SS) are

present in the effluents discharged into the environment. All the five

process effluents were polluted in terms of this parameter and with

values which ranged from (422. 00 ±114.54mgL-1 - 6164.00 ±

596.10mgL-1). DPR limit is 30mgL-1. (Ikhuoria et al., 2006). High TSS

in a water body means higher concentrations of bacteria, nutrients and

metals in the water. High concentrations of SS can cause many

problems for aquatic life. Potentially harmful substances such as heavy

metals, PAHs and organic matter are adsorbed onto TSS and later settle

on sediment.

LAND POLLUTION.

Land pollution is any degree of soil contamination which is likely to

produce significant adverse effects on the environmental receptors. Soil

pollution is caused by misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices,

disposal of industrial and urban wastes (Abdullahi et al, 2017), as well

as by combustion of fossil fuel by automobiles and industries (Kalagbor

et al, 2017).

Soils are often recipient of pollutants from diverse sources, such as

industrial emissions, waste disposal sites, agriculture, urban centres and

vehicular emissions among others depending on its location (Eze et al,

2016). Contaminants from all these sources are quickly transferred to

air, water and soil (Liu et al, 2012). In the United Kingdom, it has been

reported that about 20 millions of tons of substances are disposed off

in the soil as industrial wastes (Bhatia, 2005). Heavy metals although

often ubiquitous and present in environment at low concentrations may

pose human health risk when their concentrations reach levels above


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the permissible limits as stipulated by the National and International

regulatory bodies based on scientific evidence (Qiao et al., 2011).

NICKEL POISONING

The preliminary investigations of the concentration of a certain heavy

metal- Nickel, which was released through oil spillage, sabotage etc

into the soils of Olomoro (a major oil producing community with 15 oil

wells and a flow station) revealed Nickel concentration to be 0.24ppm

(Ataikiru et al., 1998) , which was below 60.5ppm DPR target and

intervention value (1991). The level of Nickel determined represent an

early stage in the accumulation as more spillages and sabotage may

occur and more crude oil discharged into the immediate environment.

Appropriate measures should therefore be put in place by Shell

Petroleum Development Company to ensure that their pipelines and

drilling equipment are upgraded or replaced whenever due.

The most serious harmful effects from exposure to Ni are chronic

bronchitis, reduced lung function, nasal sinuses and cancer of the lung

(Kasprazak et al., 2003)

The level of Ni determined in soil samples at the vehicle spare parts

market in Uwelu, Benin city showed that the level of Nickel

(308.25mg/kg) was above the DPR target and intervention value

(60.5ppm) (Ukulu and Ataikiru, 2006). Concentrations in excess of the

intervention value corresponds to serious contamination (DPR

guideline, 1991). The high level of Nickel is largely associated with its

use in electroplating and coating of different vehicle components to

give hard, tarnish-resistant polishable surface, when such vehicle parts

deteriorate with time, the metallic make up is deposited in the soil.

Benin City is not highly industrialised but there are numerous auto


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spare parts markets and workshops in it. The level of Nickel measured

calls for concern as commercial activities and traffic density increase

the level of heavy metal pollution in the city. The result above showed

that workers and people living in the area are exposed to possibility of

Nickel poisoning

.


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Fig 11: Chronic bronchitis and cancer of the lung

METAL MOBILITY IN SOIL

Human activities in the last decade have contributed to increase metal

mobility in the environment. Though the knowledge of the total

concentration of the metals in the soil is important, risk assessment

relies on the mobile fraction of the metals hence the need for chemical

speciation. Chemical spetiation is defined as the distribution of an

individual chemical element among different species or group.

The total concentration of the metal is relevant, nevertheless, the

bioaccumulation, availability, reactivity and mobility are determined

by metal chemical form, making a chemical speciation study necessary

(Pizarro et al., 2003). Sequential extraction to fractionate metals or

other elements in solid materials (soils, sediments, sludge, solid wastes

etc) into several groups of different leachability is widely employed to

determine the distribution of metals in different phases. Although the


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procedures used are generally tedious and time consuming, the results

furnish detailed information about the origin, mode of occurrence,

bioavailability, potential mobility and transport of the metals in the

environment. The most widely used sequential extraction schemes are

those proposed by Tessier et al., (1979) and the Community Bureau of

Reference (BCR) (Quevauviller,1998), now the European

Commission’s standard measurement and testing program. Tessier et

al sequential extraction scheme is a five-step procedure applied to

evaluate both the actual and potential mobility of metals in the

environment. This extraction scheme allows the division of the total

metal content into five soil fractions - Exchangeable fraction (F1),

Carbonate fraction (F2), Iron/Manganese oxide fraction (F3), Organic

matter fraction (F4)and Residual fraction (F5).

The total metal contents of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn in the representative

aggregate soil samples of Esisi open dump in Warri determined: are

higher than the background sample values: Mn 58.00 ±2.00mg/kg /

2.80± 0.10mg/kg of soil dry weight (DW); Cr 201.85± 1.85 mg/kg /

1.20± 0.40mg/kg; Pb 40.00± 2.00mg/kg / 0.80±0.02mg/kg; Zn 482.00

±2.00mg/kg / 2.40±0.60mg/kg. Chemical speciation determined

showed that

the non-residual fractions of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn in the representative

soil samples of Esisi open dump are 74%, 79.7%, 91.4% and 83,6%

respectively, showing that less than 30% of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn are in

the residual fraction, while more than 70% are bioavailable.


39

Fig12: Geochemical forms of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn in the representative

aggregate soil samples of Esisi Open Dump in Warri.

Cr, Zn, and Mn are mostly concentrated in the Fe - Mn oxide fraction

(F-3). This is consistent with other reporters (Pizarro et al, 2003).

Metals associated with the Fe-Mn oxide and organic fractions can be

remobilized and made available to the biota when the pH and redox

conditions of the soil or water/ sediment system change (Osakwe and

Egharevba, 2008). Significant concentrations of Cr are mobile and can

be bioavailable to plants, surface water and groundwater, likewise Zn

and Mn when remobilized.

The soil samples are sandy loam with 67.00±1.00% being sand and

20.00±1.00% clay, this supports leaching as a result, there is a gradual

spread of these heavy metals towards the inhabitants living close to the

open dump. As a result, these inhabitants are exposed to the possibility

of toxic metals poisoning. The high level of Cr may be due to the fact

that electroplating materials such as fibre dyeing dyes and wood with

preservatives are present in the soil samples.


40

CHROMIUM POISOINING.

Chromium (Cr VI) is a toxic metal which causes kidney damage, lung

cancer and corrosive action on the skin, mucus membrane and the GI

tract. It is a carcinogen.


41

Fig 13: Effect of Cr on plant, human skin and kidney

MOBILITY FACTOR OF Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn IN SOIL OF ESISI

OPEN DUMP.

Mobility factor describes the potential mobility of metals in the soil,

as some metal forms are more strongly bound to the soil components

than some. The mobility factor (MF) values, showed that Zn had the

highest mobility factor of 24% , and Pb had the lowest mobility factor

of 2%.(Ataikiru et al., 2016)


42

Fig 14:. Mobility factor (%) of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn in the representative

soil samples of Esisi Open Dump

The chemical speciation of the Mn, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd in the

soils in the vicinity of an open dump in Tombia, Bayelsa state revealed

that all the metals have low distribution in the exchangeable fraction

(F1). F1 is the mobile fraction, it is the one that constitutes risk. The

metals in this fraction are mobile and will pass into the soil solution and

are available to plants root hairs, groundwater and surface water. The

most mobile metal in the dumpsite is Cu, while the least mobile metal

is Cd (Ataikiru , 2018) .

COPPER POISONING

Copper is an essential and dietary micronutrient. It is found in enzymes

where it facilitates the absorption of Iron and helps to transmit electrical

signals in the body. In high doses however, copper can be extremely

toxic in the human system resulting in cases like hair loss,

hypoglycaemia, kidney damage, gastrointestinal problems and even

death (Wang et al., 2015; Rohnan et al, 2009; Noggue et al., 2000;

Knobeloth et al, 1994; Wyllie et al., 1957). High Cu level in the human


43

liver has been reported to cause Wilson’s disease, thalassemia,

hemochromatosis, yellow atrophy of liver, tuberculosis. It is also a

carcinogen. In women, symptoms like premenstrual syndrome,

miscarriages, infertility and low libido, resulting from copper

imbalance have also been reported (Eck et al, 1989; Ashish et al, 2013).


44

Fig 15 : Wilson's disease, hair loss, hemochromatosis and kidney

stone.


45

SPATIAL VARIATION OF HEAVY METALS IN SOIL.

The spatial variation of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn in soil in the vicinity of an

NPA Express way open dump in Warri metropolis determined,

indicated that the soil samples collected 10m away from the open dump

had the highest levels of Cr (234.00 ±1.00mg/kg,); Pb

(7.20±1.00mg/kg); Zn (396.80±9.00mg/kg) and Mn

(104.00±1.00mg/kg), while the soil samples collected 109m away from

the open dump had the lowest concentration levels of Cr

(14.80±2.80mg/kg); Pb (1.10±0.40mg/kg); Zn(15.00±3.00mg/kg) and

Mn (20.00±0.00mg/kg), this shows that the heavy metal content

decreases as the distance increases and becomes far away from the open

dump which is the source of the pollution (Ataikiru et al., 2019). The

study conducted by Ahmed et al., (2011) at two Municipal Solid Waste

(MSW) dumpsites at Alexandria in Egypt also showed similar trend of

heavy metal contamination in the soil.

The metal assessment index (Igeo) used to assess the contamination

status of the soil in NPA Expressway open dump as shown in the table

I below indicated that the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) ranged from

background concentration to very highly polluted. The mean Igeo

values for all heavy metals ranged from -0.3 to 6.4 suggesting

background concentration to very highly polluted (Muller, 2001)


46

Table 1: Spatial Contamination Profile of the heavy metals in the vicinity

of NPA Expressway open dump

Distances from

epicentre of

the open dump

(m)

Metals Geoaccumulation

index (Igeo)

Pollution Status

Cr 6.4 Very highly

polluted

Pb 2.3 Moderately

polluted

10 Zn 6.1 Very highly

polluted

Mn 3.8 Moderately

highly polluted

Cr 6.3 Very highly

polluted

Pb 2.0 Moderately

unpolluted


polluted

Mn 3.6 Moderately

highly polluted

Cr 6.1 Very highly

polluted

Pb 1.1 Moderately to

unpolluted



47

polluted

Mn 3.8 Moderately

highly polluted

Cr 5.9 Very highly

polluted

Pb 0.3 Unpolluted

13 Zn 4.6 Highly polluted

Mn 3.5 Moderately

highly polluted

Cr 5.4 Very highly

polluted

Pb -0.3 Background

concentration

14 Zn 3.7 Moderately

highly polluted

Mn 2.9 Moderately

polluted

Cr 2.9 Moderately

polluted

Pb -0.6 Background

concentration


polluted


48

Mn 1.7 Moderately

unpolluted

Cr 2.7 Moderately

polluted

Pb -1.3 Background

concentration


unpolluted

Mn 1.7 Moderately

unpolluted

Cr 2.5 Moderately

polluted

Pb -0.5 Background

concentration


unpolluted

Mn 1.4 Moderately

unpolluted

According to Nweke et al, (2016),in all the soils investigated, the six

metals fall within two Igeo classes based on Muller’s interpretation -

moderate contamination (Pb and Cd) and uncontaminated to moderate

contamination (Cu, Cr and Zn)


49

HEAVY METALS IN PLANTS.

Heavy metal contamination of plants and vegetables can occur through

various sources such as aerial, water, but soil source remains the

most important. Crops contamination with toxic metals lower their

quality for consumption for both animals and man. The consumption

of vegetables and other arable crops contaminated with toxic heavy

metals constitute a major pathway for the metals into the human

body.

Numerous researchers have carried out studies on

the concentration levels of heavy metals in plants or crops, and among

whom are Madejon and Maranon (2006) who assessed the leaves and

fruits separately, while Okoro et al., (2017) assessed only the fruits.

Basgel and Erdemoglu (2005), Skinnera et al (2006) and Ataikiru et

al., (2016) conducted research on the whole plant samples. A research

on tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentus) and maize (Zea mays) found

growing in the vicinity of the Tombia open dump was conducted by

Ataikiru et al., (2019).

The results indicated that the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) roots

had higher concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr than the

fruits, leaves and stems as shown in the table below.

The uptake of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr in tomatoes exceeded the control

sample values except Pb and Cr in the fruits, and Zn, in the leaves and

fruits. Ni concentrations are the same in the fruits. The concentration

levels of the metals in the fruits are lower than WHO/ FAO (1984,

1995) permissible limits except Mn.


50

Table 2: Levels (in mg/kg) of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Fruits leaves, stems and roots growing in the vicinity of Tombia open dump in Bayelsa state and the

control sample values.

Location Heavy metals Lycopersicum esculentum

Fruits Leaves Stem Root

Tombia Mn 0.13±0.06 0.47±0.08 1.30±0.10 1.93±0.12

Control sample 0.03±0.01 0.08±0.00 0.10±0.00 0.30±0.00

Tombia Zn 0.10±0.00 0.30±0.10 1.03±0.08 2.07±0.15

Control sample 0.10±0.00 0.30±0.00 0.30±0.10 0.50±0.10

Tombia Cu 0.17±0.06 0.57±0.12 1.30±0.00 2.40±0.00

Control sample 0.10±0.00 0.10±0.00 0.20 ±0.00 1.33±0.15

Tombia Cd 0.01±0.00 0.17±0.06 0.37±0.06 1.33±0.15

Control sample < 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

Tombia Pb <0.08 0.23±0.06 0.60±0.00 1.23±0.06

Control sample <0.08 <0.08 <0.08 <0.08

Tombia Cr <0.04 0.09±0.01 0.33±0.06 1.07±0.06

Control sample < 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04

Tombia Ni <0.05 0.09±0.00 0.47±0.04 0.82±0.06


51

Control sample <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05

Source : Ataikiru, 2019 . RJSITM

Table 3: Toxicity reference values of heavy metals in the plants’ food source.

Heavy metals

WHO standards

(mg/kg)

Cr Ni Zn Cu Mn Pb Cd Hg

Maximum acceptable 0.05 0.05 5.0 5.0 0.05 0.05 nl nl

Maximum allowable 0.05 0.05 15.0 15.0 0.5 0.05 nl nl

Spirulina Food Safety:

US and Japan

Growers(PPM)

nl nl nl nl Nl <1.0 <0.05 <0.05

Source: WHO/FAO, 1984; nl not listed


52

MANGANESE POISONING

Manganese is an essential nutrient in the body but could be toxic after

exposure to elevated levels causing neurotoxicity ,memory and

cognitive dysfunction, mood disorder and Parkinson’s disease (tremor),

lung embolism and bronchitis (Engwa et al., 2019).

Fig 16: Persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease and bronchitis


53

There is more concern for the concentrations of the heavy metals in the

tomato fruits because that part of the plant is used in cooking and

currently tomato seeds are now consumed for the treatment of cancer.

The concentration of Cd in the tomato fruits is the same as the detection

limit and below the WHO/FAO (1995) permissible limit of 0.05mg/kg.

However, this contrasts with the researched work of Lugwisha et al,

(2016), where the Cd concentration in tomato fruits analyzed were

above WHO/FAO (1995) permissible limits.

Other studies conducted by Al-Chaarani et al, (2009) and Bhutto et al,

(2010) on tomatoes showed that the concentration of Cd reported was

below the limit permitted by the WHO/FAO, and it is similar to the Cd

concentration in the tomato fruits determined.

The roots of Zea mays had the highest level of metal concentration. The

abundance ratio of the heavy metals in the maize plant is in the order,

Roots > Stem > Leaves. This is similar to the researched work of

Carbonell et al., (2011).

The uptake of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr in the leaves, stems and

roots of the maize are higher than the control sample values, except Cr

in the maize leaves where the values are the same.


54

Table 4: Levels (in mg/kg) of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr in Maize (Zea mays) leaves, stems and

roots growing in the vicinity of Tombia open dump in Bayelsa state and the control sample values.

Location Heavy metals Zea mays

Leaves Stem Root

Tombia Mn 0.33±0.06 0.67±0.21 1.33±0.06

Control sample 0.10±0.00 0.20±0.03 0.30±0.00

Tombia Zn 0.53 ±0.15 0.97±0.06 1.57±0.15

Control sample 0.40 ±0.10 0.70±0.10 0.70±0.05

Tombia Cu 0.53±0.12 1.03±0.15 2.00±0.10

Control sample 0.30±0.02 0.40 ±0.05 0.40±0.00

Tombia Cd 0.10±0.00 0.27±0.06 1.07±0.06

Control sample <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

Tombia Pb 0.08±0.01 0.20±0.00 0.87±0.12


Tombia Cr <0.04 0.09±0.02 0.30±0.00


Tombia Ni 0.10±0.01 0.34±0.02 1.07±0.14


55


Source: Ataikiru, 2019. RJSITM.


56

The concentration levels of Cd, Pb and Ni in the leaves are higher than

the limits permitted by WHO/FAO. The concentration of Cd in all parts

of the maize plant are higher than the WHO/FAO, (1995) permissible

limit of 0.05mg/kg.

The concentration levels of Zn, Cu and Cr in the leaves are lower than

the WHO/FAO permissible limits. This is consistent with the

researched work done by Akenga et al, (2017) in which the amount of

Zn, Cu, and Cd in the leaves were below the limits permitted by

WHO/FAO.

Dried maize leaf is used to make herbal tea. It is also used in the

production of corn meal pancake, dried corn pudding, dried corn pie

and as a flavour in beer. Corn leaf can be dried and ground into flour to

make porridge, bread and drinks (Tarladalal, 2018).

Heavy metals contamination of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) and

elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) growing around the NPA open

dump in Warri, Delta State was investigated and the results showed that

all the tissue bioconcentrations of the heavy metals in the waterleaf and

elephant grass exceeded the control sample values and the guideline

levels by WHO/FAO as shown in the table for toxicity reference values

of heavy metals in plants’ food source.

Table 5: Amount (in mg/kg, dw) of Pb, Cr, Mn and Zn in the

leaves, stems and roots of the Elephant grass (Pennisetum

purpureum).

Heavy

metals

Pennisetum purpureum

Leaves Stem Roots

Pb 1.40±0.05 1.90±0.40 4.90±1.00

Cr 4.70±0.70 5.86±1.00 11.30±1.00

Mn 9.30±1.00 10.38±1.00 15.80±1.00

Zn 38.00±1.20 60.20±1.00 56.40±1.20


57

Table 6: Amount (in mg/kg, dw) of Pb, Cr, Mn, and Zn in the

control samples of the Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum).

Heavy

metals

Pennisetum purpureum

Leaves Stem Roots

Pb 0.10±0.02 0.50±0.00 0.90±1.10

Cr 0.30±0.10 1.40±0.50 3.30±1.00

Mn 1.00±0.05 1.90±0.40 4.90±1.00

Zn 2.00±0.00 3.60±0.90 6.70±1.10

Table 7: Amount (in mg/kg, dw) of Pb, Cr, Mn and Zn in the leaves,

stems, and roots of the Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare).

Heavy

metals

Talinum triangulare

Leaves Stem Roots

Pb 0 .40 ±0.03 1.20±0.50 2.80±0.80

Cr 2.10±0.70 4.80±0.00 9.58±2.00

Mn 8.20±0.90 8.70±2.00 12.30±0.70

Zn 18.70±2.00 20.80±2.00 20.00±1.00s

Table 8: Amount (in mg/kg, dw) of Pb, Cr, Mn, and Zn in the

control samples of the Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare).

Heavy

metals

Talinum triangulare

Leaves Stem Roots

Pb <0.08 0.08±0.00 0.20±0.00

Cr 0.10±0.00 0.70±0.20 1.80±0.30

Mn 0.40±0.03 1.20±0.50 2.80±0.80

Zn 1.20±0.40 2.00±0.00 3.20±0.60


58

In contrast with the findings of Tyokunbor and Okorie, (2010), the

values of Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn in the waterleaf leaves are lower than those

of the waterleaf stems and roots. This is good since the leaves are the

edible part and it supplies vitamins to the body.

The values of the metals obtained showed an abundance in the tissues

of waterleaf and elephant grass in the order: Zn > Mn > Cr > Pb. The

stem samples of the waterleaf and elephant grass recorded the highest

value of Zn.

The results obtained showed that the mean concentration of Cr, Pb, Zn

and Mn in the leaves and stems of the waterleaf and elephant grass are

lower than those of the roots, except zinc which is higher in the

waterleaf and elephant grass stems.

Elephant grass is an animal feed for cow, goat etc. Since heavy metals

are neither created nor destroyed, the heavy metals are passed on from

the cow, goat etc through the food chain in the order: plants (elephant

grass) → cow → man. If the grass is cut down and it decomposes, the

heavy metals are released into the soil thereby increasing the heavy

metal content of the soil.

ZINC POISONING

Zinc is an essential nutrient in the body, but at higher concentration it

becomes toxic to the body. Zinc causes low blood sugar

(hypoglycemia), liver and nerve damage and irregular heart rhythm

(Plum et al, 2010).


59


60

Fig17: Irregular heart rhythm low bloo sugar (hypoglycemia) and liver

damage.

The hazard quotient of heavy metals in the food plants, pumpkin

(Telfairia occidentalis) and cocoyam (Colocasia esculentus) growing

in the vicinity of Esisi open dump in Warri, evaluated, indicated that

the metals showed possibility of ecological concern, except zinc in C.

esculentus.


61

Table 9: Hazard quotient profile of the heavy metals in the food plants found growing in the vicinity

of the dumpsite.

Location Plants Metals Hazard Quotient

Esisi T.

occidentalis

Pb 22 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

Cr 224 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

Mn 21.8 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

Zn 1.01 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

C.

esculentus

Pb 54 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

Cr 258 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

Mn 48 HQ≥1- Possibility of ecological concern

Zn 0.96 HQ≤1- No Possibility of ecological concern

Source: Ataikiru et al, 2016.


62

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina),

okro (Hibiscus esculentus) and pumpkin – ugu (Telfairia occidentalis)

growing in the vicinity of an urban (Apala) open dump in Warri, Delta

State, Nigeria, was investigated and the results showed that the more

efficiently accumulated heavy metal in this study was Cr in the leaf of

the bitterleaf (CFtransport = 0.68), while the least efficiently accumulated

heavy metal was zinc in the root of okro and pumpkin – ugu ( CFabsorption

= 0.01) as shown in the table below.

Table 10: Concentration factors for each plant absorption

(root/soil) and plant transport (leaf/roots) in bitter leaf, okro and

ugu.

Element Bitter leaf

Plant absorption Plant Transport

Mn 0.21 0.24

Cr 0.03 0.68

Zn 0.05 0.26

Pb 0.13 0.23

Element Okro


Mn 0.15 0.57

Cr 0.02 0.60

Zn 0.01 0.43

Pb 0.12 0.26

Element Ugu


Mn 0.18 0.52

Cr 0.03 0.67

Zn 0.01 0.75

Pb 0.10 0.10


63

The bioconcentration of the heavy metals in bitterleaf, okro and ugu

exceeded the guideline levels by WHO/FAO, and the control sample

values. People who consume vegetables and crops planted in the

vicinity of the open dump are most likely to be contaminated by the

heavy metals. Excess concentration of heavy metals inhibits normal

biochemical processes in cells. This inhibition can lead to the damaging

of the liver, kidney, reproductive system and nervous system. The

effects may also include mutation or tumours. The values of lead and

chromium in this study are higher than the previous study by Ataikiru

et al, (2005). This suggests that the soil in the dump and in the vicinity

of the dump is highly impacted by the open dump waste.

AIR POLLUTION

Air is said to be polluted when chemicals, particulate matter or

biological materials that cause harm, discomfort or damage to humans,

other living organisms or the environment, are introduced into the

atmosphere (Wikipedia, 2020). Air pollutants are released into the

atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities and also from natural

sources. Urban air quality is listed as one of the two world’s worst

pollution problems (Blacksmith Institute, 2011). In most advanced

countries, the air quality report is presented regularly to assist the public

in managing their health, this is because ambient air quality affects the

chemistry of the atmosphere and the general wellbeing of the populace

and the ecosystems. Many countries, especially the industrialised

countries have air quality guidelines and standards to regulate

emissions into the environment. These guidelines are set in order to

protect the health of the public (Radojevic and Bashkin, 1999).


64

Air pollutants from human activities can emanate from stationary

sources such as power stations, industries, from mobile sources such as

motor vehicles, airplanes and ships (Radojevic and Bashkin, 1999) and

other transportation sources, incineration of refuse and gas flaring.

Among the air pollutants are NOx, SOx, CO, O3, HC, PM10, and

PM2.5.

Generally acidic deposition is a peculiar problem in industrialised

regions and countries where combustion of fossil fuel releases large

quantities of SO2 into the atmosphere (Pickering et al, 1994). The

principal atmospheric pollutants which produce acid rain are oxides of

sulphur and oxides of nitrogen (Gwynneth, 1990). A third acidic

pollutant associated with some fossil fuels and other industrial

activities is chlorine gas

Oil prospecting and refining activities are prevalent in

Effurun/Warri and environs (Ataikiru, 1993), as a result there is a high

emission of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur and chlorine gas

which gives rise to acid rain. The refining activities in the area include

gas flaring by which sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides are released

into the atmosphere 24 hours.

Fig18: Gas flaring


65

People in the Niger Delta Region are experiencing oil Exploitation,

exploration and bush burning leading to acid rain. Benjamin Nwaiku

reported from Ebedei that the rain water corroded his zinc roof. A

recent study reported that Nigeria has over one hundred and twenty-

three (123) gas flaring sites making her one of the highest emitters of

greenhouse gases in Africa. The World Bank (2018) revealed that

Nigeria is the sixth largest gas flaring country globally. The emission

of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide(CO2), carbon monoxide

(CO), oxides of nitrogen(NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx), chlorine,

methane, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), has been inducing global

warming over the centuries and has resulted to anthropogenic climate

change. Climate change has adverse effect on Nigeria especially in the

gas flaring region- Niger Delta area. Flames from gas flare as tall as

10-storey building burn day and night in the village of Ebedei, in Niger

Delta. The heat from these fires is neither soft nor warm, it is fierce

nor prickly (Schick et al, 2018) However none flaring of the gas can

provide Nigerians with gas for cooking and power generation (Eugene,

2018). Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal

Commission, RMAFC, Engr Elias Mbam said Nigeria could generate

more than one billion dollars annually from the gas sector. He noted

that against the health hazard posed to the oil producing communities,

flared gas in Nigeria could be converted and channelled to the economy

where more than two million people could be employed while being

utilised for industrial purposes such as power generation. However, he

has called for an end to gas flaring in the country (Vanguard, August

13,2020 ) . Provost Ma, the gas can also easily be piped into Nigerians’

houses, connected to their gas cookers for cooking, and citizens be

made to pay less amount for it or free, after-all it was wasted.

Provost Ma, It has been insinuated that Covid-19 was used to reduce

global warming, Study showed that global carbon emissions dropped

by 17%, lowest level in 15 years (TVC News; 19th May, 2020).


66

The research work carried out by Ataikiru and Ibrahim “Determination

of the concentration levels and potency of acid deposition in Effurun

rain water” revealed that the pH of Effurun rain water is in the range of

5.7-6.7. NNPC housing estate sampling site has pH value of 5.7 which

is very close to 5.5. Acid rain is said to be any rain water with PH of

5.5 or less (Bernard et al, 1993). The acid rain potentials values

determined are not very high.

Table 11: pH and Mean concentrations in (mg/l) of SO42-, NO3

-, Cl- ions

and free CO2 in samples collected from PTI Road, NNPC Housing

Estate and Enerhen in the month of August.

SAMPLING SITES PARAMETERS

pH SO42- NO3

- Cl- CO2

PTI Road Effurun 6.7 0.11 0.03 1.48 10

NNPC Housing

Estate

5.7 0.08 0.65 1.42 9.5

Enerhen 6.3 0.45 0.02 4.18 11.5


-, Cl- ions


Estate and Enerhen in the month of September.


67


pH SO42- NO3

- Cl- CO2

PTI Road Effurun 6.4 0.05 0.01 5.0 10

NNPC Housing

Estate

5.7 0.09 0.64 0.89 8

Enerhen 6.6 0.40 0.01 3.91 11

Table13: pH and Mean concentrations in (mg/l) of SO42-, NO3

-, Cl- ions


Estate and Enerhen in the month of October.


pH SO42- NO3

- Cl- CO2

PTI Road Effurun 6.8 0.11 0.05 1.34 10.5

NNPC Housing

Estate

5.9 0.08 0.68 1.34 10

Enerhen 6.7 0.35 0.02 2.67 11.5


-, Cl- ions


Estate and Enerhen in the month of November.


68


pH SO42- NO3

- Cl- CO2

PTI Road Effurun 6.5 0.06 0.04 0.28 9.5

NNPC Housing

Estate

5.7 0.08 0.61 1.42 10

Enerhen 6.7 0.31 0.02 2.04 13.5

Quoted values are means of duplicate determinations

Provost ma, it is observed that there are more reports on rain water in

Europe and USA, little has been done and reported on rainwater in

Nigeria and Effurun in particular. Acid rain needs continuous study and

monitoring and could provide a data bank for these potentials that could

be used to effectively monitor their concentrations and environmental

impact.

National institutes for occupational safety and health (NIOSH),

America, recommended that air borne exposure limit for NO2 is 1ppm

which should not be exceeded at any time. American conference of

Governmental industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommended airborne

exposure limit of 3ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5ppm

as a STEL (short term exposure limit). NO2 may also cause mutation.

The table below shows the result of NO2 concentrations in some

selected industrial areas of Warri and environs in Nigeria.


69

Table 15: Mean NO2 concentrations (ppm) for the three sampling periods.

Source: Ataikiru et al, 1997

Sampling sites Tube

+number

16th-29th

Dec.

29th-11th

Jan

11th-24th

Jan

Mean

Bush Jakpa Road 1 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.11+0.01

Refinery 2 0.27 0.21 0.27 0.25+0.01

Flyover by Refinery 3 0.65 0.65 0.52 0.61+0.03

Rubber processing Industry at

Ekpan

4 0.17 0.17 0.23 0.19+0.01

Aluminium plates industry by

ELF company, Ogunu

5 0.19 0.18 0.30 0.22+0.02

Macdermot Road by

Macdermot Company

6 0.98 0.29 0.39 0.55+0.13

Delta Steel Company (DSC) 7 0.08 0.13 0.21 0.14+0.02

DSC Gates 8 0.10 0.14 0.19 0.14+0.01


70

The result in the table indicated that the sampling site – flyover by

refinery had the highest mean NO2 concentration of 0.61ppm (This

could be due to the gas flare from the Refinery), followed by

Macdermot road, close to Macdermot Company. The high

concentration could be due to the welding operations of the company

at that time. Delta steel company Gate had the lowest mean NO2

concentration, DSC is closed down. The bush off Jakpa road was the

background site, which was void of human activities at that time. The

values obtained in this study were higher than those reported for Benin

City (Ukpebor, 1993). Benin City is not a highly industrialised city,

transportation majorly accounted for the NO2 air pollution. According

to Colliers Encyclopaedia (1978) ‘‘Transportation’’ is the source of

39% of the NO2 emitted into the air each year. It is well established that

air pollution contributes to the incidence of bronchitis and other

respiratory diseases (Colliers Encyclopaedia, 1978).

COVID-19

What is Covid-19? It is coronavirus disease 2019. It originated from

china. The Chinese are to tell us what actually transpired. The medical

community agrees that breathborne infectious materials can be spread


71

with exhaled aerosols and that, asymptomatic people, i.e. those

showing no symptoms, could be unknowingly infectious. With the

current world wide pandemic of the respiratory coronavirus disease

2019 (COVID-19), various health agencies and governments are

recommending that citizens wear some form of mask or improvised

facial covers while out in public and they should keep on washing their

hands in an effort to reduce the spread of the disease. The general

concept is that more accessible masks or mask-like materials (scarves,

bandanas, e.t.c) could serve to reduce the amount of infectious aerosol

from infected people and reduce the viral load in the environment.


72


73

This editorial addresses, the underlining scientific rationale that such

inexpensive or improvised masks could indeed serve to reduce the

spread of infectious aerosols by the mechanism of surface adhesion and

particle kinetics in addition to the filtration index.

Provost Ma, a colleague in our WhatsApp platform, posted “I can

never forget 2020 as long as I live, a year you keep watching your hands

without expecting food’’. We are grateful to God for winning the

pandemic war for us that are here. PRAISE GOD ALLELUIA

PLASTIC POLLUTION

Individuals, organizations utilise large quantities of plastic bottles

which they discard and litter the environment with as waste. Plastics

such as plastic bowls, wraps, bottles, bags etc are everywhere, they are

on the roadsides, homes, hotels, restaurants, marketplaces, school

environment. They are indeed ubiquitous. Indiscriminate disposal of

plastic bottles as waste has become another major cause of

environmental pollution. There are two types of plastics: biodegradable

and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable plastics are bioplastics made

from natural plant materials, they are different from the traditional

plastics. Although biodegradable plastics have helped to reduce plastic

pollution, there are some drawbacks, they do not breakdown very

efficiently in natural environments. The biodegradable plastics that are

oil-based may breakdown into smaller fractions at which point they do

not degrade further (Bernstein, 2009).

The traditional plastics are the conventional plastics, such as

polyethene, polypropene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride and

polyethene terephthalate. Polystyrene is used in the making of

disposable spoons, plates, cups and some packaging materials.


74

Polyethene is used to make plastic water bottles, buckets, funnels,

goggles, optical instruments etc. They are non-biodegradable and their

increasing accumulation in the environment has been a threat to the

environment. These non-biodegradable plastics are made with

chemicals as additives. These chemicals are released during

incineration of plastics into the environment. Examples of such

chemicals are dioxin, benzene, bisphenol A (BPA) and Chlorine.

Plastic items we commonly use include plastic water bottles, food

containers, polythene bags, flasks lids etc, which contain these toxic

chemicals. Over the past five or six decades, contamination and

pollution of the world’s enclosed seas, coastal waters and the wider

open oceans by plastics and other synthetic non-biodegradable

materials (generally known as marine debris) has been an ever-

increasing phenomenon (Gregory,2009). The more widely recognized

problems are typically associated with entanglement, ingestion,

suffocation and general debilitation. Entanglement and ingestion may

lead to death from starvation and debilitation, as well as anoxia and

hypoxia induced by inhibition of gaseous exchange between pore

waters and overlying sea water (Gregory and Andrady, 2003).

The cons of using plastic bottles and plastics generally:

(1) Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in the plastics used in the production

of water bottles, baby bottles and other food and drink packaging

(Belcher, 2008). Exposing plastic bottles to boiling water can release a

potentially harmful chemical fifty-five times faster than normal. It is

therefore not advisable to heat plastics in microwaves. It is also not

advisable to put your water/drinks in plastic water bottles, as this may

release some BPA into your water or drink.


75

Provost Ma, some people leave their water in plastic bottles in their cars

and these bottles get heated up, as a result some BPA may leach into

the water. Bisphenol A is one of the man-made chemicals classified as

endocrine disorder, it alters the function of the endocrine system by

mimicking the body’s natural hormones (especially female sex

hormones). It presents some risks to development and reproduction.

(2) At very high temperature, chlorinated plastics indiscriminately

disposed as wastes on the ground can leach harmful chemicals such as

chlorine into the surrounding soil which can seep into ground water or

other surrounding water sources. This can cause serious harm to

humans, animals and aquatic life.

(3) Due to the non-biodegradable nature of some plastics dumped into

the earth, they disrupt the production of nutrients in the soil, as a result

the soil fertility is reduced and this affects the agricultural sector

(Anastas and Crabtree, 2009)

(4) The most commonly used plastics produce two greenhouse gases,

methane and ethene when exposed to ambient solar radiation.

Polyethene which is the most produced and discarded synthetic

polymer globally, is the most prolific emitter of both gases (Karl, 2018)

(5) Some chemicals used in plastics production can cause dermatitis

upon contact with human skin (Gregory, 2009).

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, said in a press

conference, on the 10th of August 2018 that “we are taking meaningful

steps to reduce plastic pollution, so that we don’t pass this problem to

the future generation.” A mountain of single-use plastic bags, many of

which end up polluting our precious coastal and marine environments

cause serious harm to all kinds of marine life, said Ardern.


76

Bangladesh was the first country to ban plastic bags in 2002. China,

Israel, the Netherlands, Rwanda, Albania and Georgia have since

implemented similar bans. Other countries are experimenting with

mandatory minimum charges or voluntary phase-out of plastic bags.

For example, the UK has a mandatory 5-pence charge for plastic bags.

Netherland, France and Denmark aim to make their plastic packaging

“reusable” where possible and in any case recyclable by 2025, while

increasing plastics collection, sorting and recycling capacity by 25%.

Nigeria can also make her plastic waste reusable as seen below on

conversion of waste to wealth.

WASTE TO WEALTH

The term waste to wealth refers to the process of converting waste

materials or useless products into new materials or products of better

quality or for better environmental value. Due to the benefits associated

with turning wastes into useful materials or products, recycling, reuse

and reclamation may be Nigeria’s best bet to turn her waste to wealth.

Wastes that are considered as liabilities are actually sources of raw

materials for the production of a variety of useful products. They are

used for the development of various economies in the world today.

Below are various buildings from plastic waste.


77

HOUSES BUILT FROM PLASTIC WASTE

Fig19: Wales, UK.

Fig20: Hawaii (T1,T2);


78

Fig21: Colombia;

Fig22: Uganda


79


80

Fig23: PLASTIC BOTTLE WASTE HOUSE IN College of Education

Warri by Dr Mrs Ataikiru/Project student; Mr Yakubu.

Some of the stages involved in building the house with plastic bottle

waste


81


82


83

Fig 24 :Stages of building the plastic bottle waste house

Plastic bottle wastes can be used in the construction of houses in the

same way the cement or clay brick houses are made. The plastic bottle

wastes are washed, filled up tightly with clay and sand and arranged in

sequential order to produce strong walls which finally formed a small

house. The main difference between the cement houses and the plastic

bottle houses would be the price, the plastic bottles are available for

free. The option of building houses out of plastic bottles will be far

greater than that of the conventional bricks because it will be cheaper

and also serve as a means of eliminating plastic bottle wastes from our

surrounding environment.


84

With plastic bottles replacing the clay or cement bricks, bio-climatic

housing is achieved. The houses will be very attractive to the locals and

allow those who previously were unable to afford a cement house to

build one, due to the elimination of cost.

Fig 25: Open dump and recycled articles from the waste

RECYCLING

Recycling of waste means turning the old material into a new version

of the same thing or materials can be recycled into something

completely different. For example, used glass bottles can be recycled

into new bottles or they can be recycled into something different such

as mirror, glass cup and plate. Recycling is one of the tools available to

us to help use resources better and reduce the environmental impacts

associated with disposing of rubbish. It therefore reduces the following.


85

- The demand for waste treatment technology

- Landfill space

- Demand for raw materials by extending their life and maximizing the

value extracted from them

- Reduce the release of pollutants

- Save energy

Recycling helps us become more aware of environmental issues and

encourage us to take personal responsibility for the wastes we create.

Fig26: Textiles Recycling


86

Fig 27: Paper Recycling


87

Polythene bags can be washed, dried and cut into shreds to serve as

threads and then used to make key holders, mats, bags, baskets and

others


88

Fig 28: These are women at American University Nigeria (AUN) In

Adamawa state, learning the art of knitting with the use of polythene

bags.

According to kunni (2018); this has liberated them from the shackles

of poverty and doubled their value in the home-front and in the sight of

a class-filled society.

SORTING OUT

The sorting of recyclables may be done at the source (i.e within the

household or office) for selective collection by the municipality, that is

frequent circulation of trucks within a neighbourhood by the

government or the service provider (Ataikiru, 2014) or to be dropped

off by the waste producer at recycling centres .


89

Fig 30: Recycling Drums of Paper, Glass Plastic And Metal.

CONCLUSION

My Dear Provost, Ladies and gentlemen, this lecture has been able to

expose the flaws in our policies and strategies to combat environmental

pollution. EIA was promulgated by the Federal Government of Nigeria

to enhance sustainable development and to reduce environmental

impact from projects. We have several regulatory agencies on standard

of goods and services and the management of waste including WHO,

NAFDAC, SON, DPR, NESDREA, NOSDREA, Federal ministry of

Environment. States Ministry of environment, States Environmental

management agencies etc notwithstanding our environment is still very

much polluted and leaves much to be desired. These agencies must

wake up and combat pollution issues in the Niger Delta and the whole


90

country for sustainable development. By prediction, Nigeria in the next

15 years will be the fifth most populous nation in the World after China,

India, America and Indonesia. While there is strength in number, how

it is used and where it is channelled to is of paramount importance.

However physical and numerical strength will not achieve so much if

the people’s creative and mental strength to transform their waste into

useful and valuable resources and to be creative in other areas are

lacking.

RECOMMENDATION

Our goal should be to achieve zero waste level in all our industrial,

commercial, agricultural, domestic e.t.c endeavours. Nigeria

Government should therefore focus on ways to achieve sustainable

development of the Niger Delta region and the rest of our Country. To

this end, the following recommendations will be useful measures to

avoid, mitigate or compensate environmental degradation.

1. The Federal Government should like Canada, Germany, India,

and Tanzania build new houses with plastic waste to reduce

cost of building for the underprivileged and reduce pollution

by plastic waste

2. People should resort to use glass bottle for water, and glass or

ceramic plates for food and microwaving of food.

3. The monitoring of heavy metals in soil should be a continuous

process and could provide a data bank for these metals that

could be used to effectively monitor their soil concentration

and environmental impact


91

4. Government should also monitor compliance with

environmental safety through the department of inspectorate

and compliance monitoring (I & CM) of the federal ministry

of environment

5. The Government should launch awareness campaign program

for proper waste disposal.

6. Educate citizens about heavy metal poisoning.

7. Prevent people from planting crops in the vicinity of open

dumps.

8. The Federal Government of Nigeria should embrace the 3Rs

principles of waste management

9. The Federal Government of Nigeria should stop wasting our

gas, the gas should be piped into Nigerians homes for domestic

purposes and Nigerians be made to pay a token for it.

10. The Government of Nigeria should use the flared gas for

power generation, knowing that Nigerians do not enjoy 24

hours light.

11. The Government should enact a law prohibiting the

indiscriminate disposal of waste in the environment. The

government can impose mandatory minimum charge for

indiscriminate disposal of waste in the streets.

12. Nigeria Citizens should be educated on the negative impact of

plastic pollution.


92

13. The monitoring of the green-house gases in the air should be a

continuous process to effectively monitor their concentration

and environmental impact.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Special thanks to God Almighty for making this day a reality. I am ever

grateful to Him. He is Jehovah El-Shaddai (My All Sufficient God ) .

I thank my amiable provost, the first female Provost of this noble

institution, Professor Mary Olire Edema. I am grateful for initiating this

Inaugural Lecture Series. It affords me the opportunity to put on this

academic gown again and again.. It is as weighty as the PhD. degree

itself. Thank you Ma.

My special thanks also go to the Chairman – Mr V.O T Abanum and

all members of the Governing Council of this great institution ,may the

good Lord bless you.

Without being a child you can’t be an adult, so my primary and

secondary school days are very essential. I appreciate all my teachers

in the primary school I attended, Atanaru Primary School, Uroh, in

Isoko South Local Government Area. My thanks also go to Mrs

Harword and Mrs Mazunda (An Indian), my Principals in Anglican

Girls Grammar School. Ughelli, and all the other teachers. Ms Haward

a Briton instilled discipline in us. She taught us not to drop paper on

the ground but always drop it in a trash bin. She taught us never to

forget the use of these short sentences when appropriate- Excuse me,

Thank you, I am sorry.


93

I thank the former Deputy provost, Dr.(Mrs) Phillipa Oganwu for her

support. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the

Registrar of the College, Mrs Christy Aluyi and the Deputy Provost,

Dr (Mrs) Fidelia Ighrakpata .

I deeply appreciate my M.Sc. and Ph.D. supervisor, a one-time deputy

Vice - Chancellor of the University of Benin, a Professor Emeritus –

Professor F. E. Okieimen. Many thanks to all the lecturers in the

Chemistry Department, University of Benin, Benin City. Amongst

whom are Professor Mrs. E.U. Ikhouria, Professor E. Ukpebor,

Professor D. E. Ogbeifun, Professor Julius Iyasele.

I am grateful to Dr. Mrs. Esohe Ilori, Head, Central Analytical

Laboratory, Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, Benin

City, May God Bless you with all your heart desires.

In addition, I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. T. B. Igwebuike

for all his help, guidance, and mentorship. May God continually keep

you in Jesus Christ name, amen.

I also sincerely appreciate my colleagues in the College, School of

Science and Chemistry department in particular, amongst whom are;

the Head of Chemistry Department, Mr. Hope Omosigho,

Mrs H.Ukulu, Dr G. Inikori, Mrs E.Udowa, Mr G. Efebomo,

Mr J.Dibofu, Mr C.Uchiaga, Mr M.Savwade, Mrs Vera Ayana (known

as Joko), Dr M.A. Balogun, Mrs H.Odiyoma, Bishop J. Omasheye,

Mr E.E.Enukpere, Mrs Idibie, Mrs Julie Ojo, Mrs Ewubare, Mrs Ila

Odibo, Mr C. Ejakpomewhe Mr F.O.Uveruveh, Mr J.K.Ozobokeme,

Mrs P Eghagha, Dr Odibo , Mr Ofogbor and others too numerous to

mention.

I will not forget my staff fellowship members in this college, May God

Almighty bless you all in Jesus Christ Name. Amen.


94

I appreciate my Pastor and brethren of the First Baptist Church,

Effurun. My senior Pastor Rev’d. Dr S. P. J. Odogboro and wife,

Rev’d Oshukenye and wife and Rev’d Mabayoje and wife. May God

bless all of you in Jesus Christ name Amen.

A special word of gratitude is due to my parents of blessed memory -

my Father Late Sir (Chief) S. U. Onwo and my Mother Late Mrs

Virgina Onwo. My father was the pioneer Registrar of this noble

College. He was not only responsible for my education but always

ensured that I arrived at the school safely, he painstakingly took me to

AGGS Ughelli, even when he was far away from Ughelli and in my

University days, he provided a car and drivers to always drop me at the

University. He is a Father without equal. I am forever grateful to God

for bringing me to this world through them. May they rest peacefully

in the bosom of the Lord.

I would like to acknowledge with gratitude, the support and love of my

siblings, Barrister (Chief) H. E. A. Onwo our eldest

brother, Honourable (Chief) Ferguson, A. O. Onwo,

Mrs Peace Omoroh, Pastor Engineer Nelson Onwo, Mrs

Gloria Eghagha, Mrs Evelyn Orughele. Mrs Uyoyou Emokpae. May

God continue to bless them and uplift them in Jesus Christ Name

Amen.

An enormous debt of gratitude goes to my beloved children; Dr

Ataikiru Usiwoma, Emamezi Ataikiru, Samuel Ataikiru and

Esther Ataikiru, for their assistance in the typesetting and proof-

reading of this inaugural lecture text. Thank you for all the sacrifice and

love. You feel my heart with joy.

There is a saying that ‘Beside every successful man there is a woman,

likewise, beside every successful woman there is a man. I am eternally

grateful and forever indebted to my husband Pastor Engr.

Lucky Ataikiru, who spent many hours running around with the


95

behind-the scene activities that happened when writing this book . He

did not only encourage and assist me, but also got involved in the

research work . May God Bless you and may you enjoy the fruits of

your labour in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Proverbs 13:19a says. ‘’the desire accomplished is sweet to the

soul’’.

I am very grateful to God for accomplishing this desire.


96

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BIOGRAPHY

Dr (Mrs) Helen Ataikiru nee Onwo hails from Olomoro in Isoko

south Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. She was

born on the 26th of July, 1963 at Olomoro. She had her primary

school education at Atanaru primary school, Uro, in 1975. She

proceeded to Anglican girl’s grammar school, Ughelli, where she

had her secondary school Education in 1980. In her quest for

higher knowledge, she went to the premier University, the

University of Ibadan, where she read Biochemistry in 1987. After

her youth service (NYSC), She joined the college of Education

Warri as an Assistant lecturer. After two years, she proceeded to

the University of Benin for Post Graduate Diploma in Education

(PGDE), because of close proximity to her family, she continued

with the University of Benin for her Master’s Program and

obtained her M.Sc in 1994 and Ph.D in Chemistry with

specialization in Environmental Chemistry in 2014.

She has considerable research experience in the area of

Chemistry of the environment. She has authored and co-authored

several text books and monograph, and has numerous scholarly

publications in peer-reviewed journals such as International

Journal of Industrial Pollution Control, Global Research

Academy London, UK’s Multidisciplinary International Journal,

Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and

Environmental Sciences (AJMBES) etc. She has attended several

conferences including the International conference on

Environmental Pollution and Remediation Ottawa, Canada.


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Dr (Mrs) Helen Ataikiru is a chief lecturer (Associate Professor)

in the Department of Chemistry, College of Education Warri. She

is happily married to a Chemist, and the marriage is blessed with

children.

GLORY TO JESUS!

LIABILITY AND ASSET – TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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