Artisanal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta: A challenge to clean-up and remediation in Ogoniland

2021 ◽  
pp. 026909422110710
Author(s):  
Paul A. Onuh ◽  
Tochukwu J. Omenma ◽  
Chinedu J. Onyishi ◽  
Celestine U. Udeogu ◽  
Nelson C. Nkalu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Oil Refining ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Oil Processing ◽  
Niger Delta Region

While the activities of multinational oil corporations contribute significantly to oil pollution and environmental degradation in most oil-producing countries, the extent to which illegal artisanal refineries contribute to the environmental problems in Niger Delta remains unclear. Extant literature attributes this to the expanding activities of the artisans as well as the use of crude technology in illegal oil refining. Given the widespread nature of the artisanal oil-refining economy in the Niger Delta region, we assess its contribution to the growing environmental pollution in the region. By artisanal oil refining, we mean small-scale crude oil processing or subsistent distillation of petroleum that is often outside the boundaries of the state law. This study links the continual failure of the clean-up programme in the Niger Delta to the booming artisanal crude oil-refining economy in the region. Using predominantly qualitative methods of data collection and content analysis, we adopted the enterprise value chain analysis to underscore the underlying local economic interests and external economic opportunities that sustain oil bunkering, oil theft and petro-piracy. We conclude that these illegal refining processes significantly undermine the Ogoniland clean-up project and make the remediation programme unsustainable in Nigeria.

Oil Spills in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria: Environmental Fate of Toxic Volatile Organics.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deinkuro Nimisngha Sanchez ◽  
Charles W. Knapp ◽  
Raimi Morufu Olalekan ◽  
Nimlang Henry Nanalok
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Environmental Fate ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Environmental Modeling ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Volatile Organics ◽  
Crude Oil Pollution ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
Ecological Resources

Abstract Background: Over the years, the issue of environmental degradation of ecological resources from crude oil pollution and its human health impacts is receiving more global attention. The utilization of environmental models capable of predicting the fate, transport and toxicity of chemicals in spilled crude oil can provide essential knowledge required to deal with the complexity associated with the fate of volatile petroleum chemicals in the environment. Objective: This paper explores environmental fate of toxic volatile organics from oil spill in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.Methods: A critical analysis of available literatures/data from PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Jstor, including expert working group reports and environmental modeling using a screening tool (USEPA EPI Suite™) was carried out to determine the environmental partitioning of Benzene, Toluene and Naphthalene (BTN) respectively. The organic-carbon partitioning coefficient (Koc) was computed as a function of soil-water distribution coefficient (Kd) and percentage organic matter (%OM). This was utilized to determine the distribution of BTN in the environment and the possible risk posed on delicate ecological resources from crude oil pollution due to exploration and production activities within the Niger Delta Region (NDR), Nigeria. Results: Results from literature implicated sabotage and operational failures from pipelines as primary causes of crude oil spillages. Generation of a fugacity model using EPI Suite™ revealed that the behavior of BTN is greatly influenced by Koc values. The default Molecular Connectivity Index (MCI) showed that benzene and toluene will partition more into the water compartment while naphthalene will partition into the soil compartment. However, user-entered values showed all three chemicals partitioning more into the soil compartment. Aquatic toxicology estimation using Ecological Structural Activity Relationship (ECOSAR) revealed all chemicals not to be toxic even at over-estimated Koc values. Conclusion: This research established the usefulness of screening level environmental modelling tools in assessing environmental risk and hence helpful in developing site-specific models for monitoring chemicals in the environment which can assist governments, policy makers and industries in the design of appropriate regional disaster management plans.

scholarly journals The Small-Scale Dairy Value Chain Analysis: Challenges And Opportunities For Dairy Development In Mymensingh District Of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Rahman ◽  
FA Happy ◽  
AH Efan ◽  
MHR Hera
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Chain Map ◽  
Small Scale Dairy

This study examined the prevailing dairy value chain based on primary data collected from 70 small-scale milk producers of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. The total cost and net return per month per cow were Tk. 4024.30 and Tk. 3165.70, respectively. The net value additions of Tk. 2091.42, Tk. 495.00, Tk. 655.00, Tk. 503.25, Tk. 309.70 were estimated for milk producers, collectors, Faria, Bepari and retailers respectively. Different actors spent highest marketing cost ranged from Tk.49 to Tk.80 for transportation compared to other marketing functions. Actors mostly dependent on the on-going market prices for setting price of milk in the value chain. A value chain map was developed showing the relationships and linkages among value chain actors of small-scale dairy. The study identified some critical factors for successful dairy marketing. The factors were understanding consumer behaviour, technology and transportation, improved business relationships, reduced transaction costs, and improved information flow, and organized market structure. Milk producer’s share in consumers’ price was highest for channel- I followed by channel- V. Expensive, inadequate, low quality feed, lack of grazing land, green grass, inadequate capital, knowledge about cost of production, weak extension services, high fees and unavailability of veterinary doctors, were some of the major problems of milk producers. Supply of adequate feed at subsidized price, ensuring easy access to institutional credit at a lower interest rate, adequate medicine and veterinary services, allocation of khas land for producing fodder/grass, were suggested to solve the problems. SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 213-226 (2019)

A Comparative Analysis of Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Polluted Soil in the Island Forest Ecosystem and the Low land Forest Ecosystem in the Niger Delta through Enhanced Natural Attenuation Process (ENAP)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-93
Author(s):  
Etiese Etuk ◽  
Kingsley C. Ogboi ◽  
C. A. Nwadinigwe ◽  
Wali Elekwachi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Natural Attenuation ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Polluted Soil ◽  
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Ecological Zone ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Niger Delta Region

The Niger Delta region has witnessed environmental pollution arising from oil activities over the years of oil exploration and production. Soil fertility in both the Lowland Forest Ecological Zone and Island Forest Ecological Zone were investigated to establish the consequences of oil pollution on the soil and remedial actions to restore back quality and fertility of the soil. A suitable cost effective and environmentally friendly technology to handle the pollutions in the Niger Delta region can be found in Remediation by Enhanced Natural Attenuation Process (ENAP) which facilitates the activities of microorganisms to biodegrade the hydrocarbon impacted soil. The study compared the bio-physicochemical parameters of the oil spill polluted soil with particular reference to areas of oil production of the two Ecological Systems with those of the unaffected soil as well as their response to bioremediation interventions using ENAP. The results demonstrated significant decrease in the values of the key indicator parameter, the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH). But for the unenhanced process, the result showed low level of reduction of TPH values for the polluted soils. A degradation trend was demonstrated with time leading to significant TPH reductions and improved key soil fertility indices. The result showed that the level of the nutrient status of soil in the region can be improved through the natural attenuation process.

Application of nitrogen fixing bacteria and poultry droppings for enhanced bioremediation of crude oil polluted-soil

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-124
Author(s):  
V.C Wokem ◽  
E.D. Momoh
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Polluted Soil ◽  
Nitrogen Fixing ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
Enhanced Bioremediation ◽  
Poultry Droppings

The exploration, production and refining of crude oil has led to severe environmental degradation in the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Enhanced bioremediation of tropical rainforest soil artificially polluted with crude oil, bioaugmented with nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) and biostimulated with poultry droppings was carried out ex situ. Soil sample was collected at 15cm depth from tropical rainforest soil of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The NFB was isolated from roots of leguminous plant Arachis hypogea, identified as Nitrobacter species. Bioaugmentation by application of NFB served as option A, option B (biostimulation by application of poultry droppings), option C (No amendment) served as the control. Bioremediation was monitored for 28 days for interval of 14 days, and determined using the percentage ratio of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) losses for each period to TPH at initial day (day zero). Results of total culturable heterotrophic bacterial (TCHB) counts showed that highest range in option B (1.9×104- 2.4×109Cfu/g) than in option A (7.8×106 -2.29×107Cfu/g) and C (6.75×106 -2.6×107Cfu/g) respectively. Similarly, hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) counts had higher range in option B (1.20×105 - 1.9×107Cfu/g) than in option A (8.30×104 - 2.30×105Cfu/g) and option C control (4.3×104 −1.69×105 Cfu/g) respectively. Changes in physicochemical parameters during the study showed reductions in nitrate, phosphate and TPH in all the options expect pH which showed slight increase in option C (6.20-6.24). Characterization and identification for bacteria revealed the following HUB genera Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Staphylocuccus and Nitrobacter). The percentage losses in TPH from gas chromatography (GC) results showed the following; option A (44.24%) option B (61.08%) and option C - control (27.28%) respectively. The results from this study showed that option B, the application of poultry droppings as biostimulant was more efficient than the application of NFB in enhanced bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil, hence the use of poultry droppings which is available as organic waste, eco-friendly and cost-effective is recommended asbiostimulant for enhanced bioremediation in environmental cleanup of crude oil impacted-sites of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Key Words: Bioremediation, Crude oil polluted-soil, Biostimulation, Bioaugumentation, Poultry droppings, Nitrogen fixing bacteria.

scholarly journals Distribution of economic returns in small-scale fisheries for international markets: A value-chain analysis

Marine Policy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven W. Purcell ◽  
Beatrice I. Crona ◽  
Watisoni Lalavanua ◽  
Hampus Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Small Scale Fisheries ◽  
A Value ◽  
Chain Analysis

scholarly journals Value chain analysis of small-scale fisheries in the High Dam Lake in Egypt

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
M. Nasr-Allah Ahmed ◽  
A. Habib Olfat ◽  
W. Dickson Malcolm ◽  
Charo-Karisa Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
Small Scale Fisheries ◽  
Chain Analysis ◽  
High Dam Lake

scholarly journals Analysis of Market Trends Within the Romanian Silk Industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Lucia Lelia POP ◽  
Liviu Alexandru MĂRGHITAȘ ◽  
Otilia BOBIȘ ◽  
Adela Ramona MOISE ◽  
Daniel Severus DEZMIREAN
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Trade Balance ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
Silk Industry ◽  
Chain Analysis ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
National Production ◽  
Market Trends

According to the scientific literature, sericulture is the science with its focus on the silkworm rearing process, as well as the processing of silk and silk derived products. As a rural economic activity, sericulture is being usually, at small scale, being given a cottage industry character. The main goal of the current paper is to assess the potential of the Romanian silk value chain trough the point of view given by the value chain analysis perspective. Main elements used in the current research are represented by the comparative analysis of the values of imports, exports, trade balance and national production of silk and silk derived products in the following period of 2001-2018. The study will help highlight the potential for development within the sericulture national value chain highlighting the entry points in the value chain and identifying new internal and external markets.

scholarly journals Metagenomics insight into microbial dynamics in field-scale remediation of crude oil-polluted soil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Blaise Chikere ◽  
Memory Tekere ◽  
Rasheed Adeleke
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Polluted Soil ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
Microbial Dynamics ◽  
Naphthalene Degradation

Abstract Background: The frequency of crude oil pollution has been on the increase following increased exploration, exploitation and production of energy from fossil fuel. Bioremediation has been shown to be eco-friendly and cost-effective method of oil spill remediation. In the Niger Delta, Landfarming has been the most used technique. The aim of this research was to employ metagenomic techniques to understand microbial dynamics during field-scale remediation in the Niger Delta in order to improve and reduce the time of remediation. Results: The surface (0.0 – 0.5m) sample had an extractable TPH value of 6231 mg/kg. The subsurface samples from 1m, 1.5m and 2.0m depths had extractable TPH concentration of 4836 mg/kg, 9112 mg/kg and 7273 mk/kg respectively. Proteobacteria dominated the bacterial community of the oil-polluted soil and comprised mainly of the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Alpha diversity analysis revealed the presence of crude oil in the soil reduced microbial diversity. Principal coordinate analysis showed the microbial structure continually changed following changes in the chemical composition of the soil. Mycobacterium, Burkholderia, Methylobacterium and Bacillus were among the core OTUs detected during the period of remediation. Significant variation in pathway abundance particularly pathways for propanoate degradation, benzoate degradation, naphthalene degradation, fatty acid metabolism, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation and degradation of xenobiotics were observed when the unpolluted soil was compared to the samples obtained during remediation. Conclusions: The findings from this study will greatly advance an already preferred landfarming oil spill recovery technique in the Niger Delta.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document