ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: EFFECT ON PEDESTRIANS WHILE WALKING IN URBAN STREET

Purpose: The reason for this study is because of observed difference in environmental condition in Lagos metropolis. The change is witnessed in environmental change arising from air, water and noise pollution mostly from increasing vehicle emissions in the State. This study has been conducted to analyze the environmental effects of pollution on pedestrians. Specific objectives are determine the air quality of the city at most populate headquarters of each of the 20 Local Government Areas of Lagos State, to examine the impact of pollution (air, water and noise) on pedestrians and assess various measures for reducing environmental pollution in the State. Methodology: The use of Thermo scientific MIE pDR-1500 instrument was used to measure air quality index of the selected locations and survey was carried out with well-structured questionnaire to elicit information with the aid of incidental sampling technique on impact of pollution on pedestrians from 177 respondents. Findings: Air Quality Index was shown with histogram chart where six out of 20 Local Government Areas are above the acceptable standard of pollution. There is rising cases of pollution in the State and very few Local governments were within acceptable range. One –Sample T-test showed that air pollution is majorly affecting pedestrians with t-value of 22.226 followed by noise with 19.643 and water with 5.529 respectively. Conclusion and recommendations: The research concluded that, there is need to control the rising cases of pollution in the state and policies to tame air and noise pollution in the state should be adopted. Emission control strategies to be adopted with the existing ones can be in form of restricting hours of movement of vehicles to late at night to avoid human pollutant contact, encourage tree planting and rapid evacuation of environmental waste.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND COLONIALISM IN JAMAICA KINCAID’S LUCY AND MY GARDEN (BOOK)

This research paper sets out to show how Jamaica Kincaid, in her celebrated works, Lucy and My Garden (Book), intrinsically links the degradation of the environment to colonialism through memory even though most critics posit that men/women should preserve their environment. Purpose: To the protagonists, the environment brings back memory of subjugation and oppression that undermine man-nature relationship in Kincaid’s selected works. Methodology: Qualitative research was used to write this paper since it involves textual analysis. Information of this research paper was gathered from the primary sources (Lucy and My Garden (Book) and secondary sources. Post colonialism and ecocriticism were deemed suitable theories on which this research paper could be hitched, in order to show how the environment is related to colonialism. The paper stresses on Kincaid’s protagonists’ hostility to the environment. In fact, whenever they see elements of the environment, they reflect on colonial trauma. Findings: The traumatic feeling from the characters under study stifles their relationship with the environment despite the fact that environmentalists and ecofeminists advocate for a close relationship with nature and its preservation in order to combat the current environmental crisis. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This research, just like most environmentalists and ecofeminists will make people to understand that the natural environment is very vital to man and its preservation is a main concern for human beings. It will as well deepen discussion in the field of postcolonialism and ecocriticism. Readers of this article will help sensitize leaders of the world to stop colonialism so that the environment can be saved because traumatic memories are detrimental to the preservation of nature.

BIO-PHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF QUARRYING ACTIVITIES IN SELECTED QUARRIES IN TEZO WARD-KILIFI COUNTY

Purpose: Using a Systems’ Approach, this study explores what aspects are essential for stone quarries to adopt a functional environmental management plan and whether compliance with environmental laws enhances business performance. The specific objectives of the study were: To evaluate the bio-physical effects of quarrying activities in selected quarries in Tezo ward and to evaluate the socio-economic effects of quarrying activities in selected quarries in Tezo ward. Methodology: The study adopted descriptive survey design; the research data collection instrument was questionnaires. The study adopted purposive sampling; a survey of 134 respondents representing 80 quarry workers, 40 quarry owners, 10 EIA Experts, 3 NEMA staff and 1 County geologist were sampled purposively. Weighted and the Consolidated Scores were entered on Microsoft Excel for cleaning and later transferred to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23.0) for statistical analyses. Data was presented inform of graphs, pie-charts, tables and narration in the thematic areas. Findings: The study found out that there were health and ecological problems associated with quarrying. The application of heavy quarrying machines resulted to soil erosion, destruction of flora and threatens biodiversity aesthetic. The study revealed that quarrying was a source for livelihood among the community and more men (90%) were involved in quarrying due to masculinity nature of the task. EMPs were found to be significant in management of quarries. The development of EMPs and EIA was influenced by different actors and informal sector was a significant influencer of EMPs implementation. The study concluded that EMPs were effective in management of quarries despite varied challenges facing the NEMA official and the EIA experts. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends the need for transparency in the EIA as well as in the development of EMPs, to avoid discrimination and non-adherence. Further research is needed to understand the perception of community members on the effectiveness of EMPs in sustainable management of quarries and environment in general.

SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FROM PRECIPITATION IN THE STONY ATHI SUB-CATCHMENT, KENYA

Purpose: Groundwater recharge is an important process for sustainable groundwater development and its quantification is a prerequisite for efficient management of groundwater resources. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the scale and spatial-temporal variation of groundwater recharge from precipitation in the semi-arid Stony Athi sub-catchment. Methodology: A descriptive case study approach was used for the evaluation. WetSpass-M, a GIS physically based, spatially distributed watershed model was applied. The model integrates biophysical and climatic characteristics of a watershed to simulate the long term mean groundwater recharge. Grid maps of the sub-catchment characteristics were prepared from primary and secondary data using ArcMap. The model was applied for four periods, namely, 1984, 1995, 2005 and 2017. Besides the average groundwater recharge, other outputs of the model include surface run-off and actual evapotranspiration. The study was carried out between January and December 2018. Findings: Land cover in the Stony Athi sub-catchment is comprised of built-up area, agricultural land, grassland, shrub-land, mixed forest and bare land. Topography ranges from 1493 m to 2,082 m above sea level with a slope of between 0% and 30%. Soil types include sandy loam, loam, sandy clay loam, sandy loam and clay. The mean annual precipitation is about 634 mm while the potential evapotranspiration is about 1,490 mm. Annual temperature averages 19.0°C with a mean maximum of 25°C and a mean minimum of 12.7°C. The results of the simulation indicated that the long-term temporal and spatial average annual rainfall of 634 mm is distributed as 88 mm (14%) recharge, 77 mm (12%) surface runoff while 475 mm (75%) is lost through evapotranspiration. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study demonstrate the importance of physically-based spatially-distributed hydrological models in estimating the water balance. The study provides a theoretical basis for scientific, rational resource allocation and utilization as well as creating awareness of the need to enhance groundwater governance. Results from this study can be used as an input for building an integrated groundwater modelling and for evaluation of potential sites for managed artificial recharge through harvesting runoff to improve groundwater storage.