DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND TOXICOLOGY

Methane (CH₄), with warming potential 84 times greater than CO₂ over 20 years, requires urgent mitigation for climate stabilization. This study compared atmospheric methane patterns between Delta and Adamawa States, Nigeria, using 2022–2024 Sentinel-5P TROPOMI satellite data processed through Google Earth Engine. Applying strict quality controls (qa_value ≥ 0.75) and statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test, Getis-Ord Gi*), the research revealed distinct emission signatures. Delta State exhibited concentrated industrial emissions, with 96.73% of hotspots at petroleum infrastructure (oil facilities, gas flaring, pipelines). Concentrations increased 1.37% from 1,915.47 to 1,941.72 ppb, showing high spatial heterogeneity (σ = 14.82 ppb) and minimal climate sensitivity. Adamawa State showed diffuse biogenic emissions from livestock (38.84%), waste (17.52%), and wetlands (25.80%), with 0.81% concentration increase (1,925.82 to 1,941.45 ppb), lower variability (σ = 9.85 ppb), but strong climate dependence (ρ = +0.58, p < 0.001). Both states showed accelerating trends (Delta: +13.05%/year; Adamawa: +11.38%/year), contradicting Nigeria's 30% reduction pledge by 2030. Results demonstrate that industrial and agricultural sources require distinct strategies: leak detection and infrastructure modernization for petroleum operations versus improved livestock management and waste infrastructure for agricultural systems. This baseline enables future monitoring of mitigation effectiveness.

This study assessed the sanitation, hygiene, and health status of residents in Amufi Community, a peri-urban settlement in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to evaluate existing sanitation facilities, examine hygiene practices, and identify common health risks linked to poor sanitation and hygiene conditions. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire administered to 220 randomly selected residents. Data collected included information on socio-demographic characteristics, sanitation facilities, hygiene behaviors, and self-reported health outcomes, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that 87.7% of households used flush toilets, while 9.5% relied on pit latrines, with 39.5% sharing toilets with other hous holds. Waste disposal practices were poor, as 17.3% of respondents dumped refuse in open spaces and 32.3% resorted to burning. Although 90% had access to soap, only 44.5% had designated handwashing areas, and just 30% consistently used soap and water for handwashing. About half of the respondents (50.3%) reported experiencing waterborne diseases within the past year, with typhoid fever (70.3%) and diarrhea (37.8%) being the most prevalent. Community involvement in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs was low, with only 21.8% of respondents participating in any sanitation or hygiene improvement activities. These results indicate that although access to sanitation infrastructure in Amufi is mode ately high, inadequate hygiene practices, poor waste management, and limited community engagement continue to sustain preventable health risks. The study concludes that strengthening WASH infrastructure, enhancing hygiene education, and promoting active community participation are essential strategies for improving public health outcomes and reducing disease burden within the Amufi Community

Vegetables are consumed in both the developing and developed countries of the world due to their high nutritive values, however they also contain some high levels of toxic substances including metals.This study assessed the comparative concentrations of selected heavy metals:cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in four commonly consumed leafy vegetables: fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), water leaf (Talinum triangulare), and scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) cultivated in polluted (Oluku) and unpolluted (Iyowa) sites in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Samples were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), and results were compared with FAO/WHO permissible limits. The concentrations of all heavy metals were below recommended safety thresholds, with the general trend of accumulation being polluted site > unpolluted site. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) revealed significant variations for some metals, particularly Zn, Cd, and Cu, across the two locations. Bitter leaf and scent leaf exhibited higher tendencies for metal accumulation compared to other vegetables. Although all concentrations were within safe limits, continuous cultivation near polluted areas may lead to long-term contamination risks. The findings highlight the influence of anthropogenic activities such as waste disposal and vehicular emissions on metal uptake in vegetables and underscore the need for regular environmental monitoring, improved waste management, and public awareness to ensure food safety

This study evaluated the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of major drinking water sources in Amufi Community, Edo State, Nigeria, as well as household access and health outcome perceptions. Fifteen water samples were collected from boreholes, tap water, rainwater, and streams, while 220 households participated in a structured questionnaire survey. Laboratory analyses followed APHA (2017) standard procedures, and results were compared with WHO (2017) and NSDWQ (2007) guidelines. Eight key parameters were measured, including pH, TSS, Na, NO₃⁻, Ca, Fe, EC, and TDS. Results showed that groundwater pH ranged from 4.71 to 5.82, falling below the WHO acceptable range of 6.5–8.5, while surface water from streams was neutral to slightly alkaline (8.00–8.27). Nitrate levels were critically high across all samples (42.36–81.20 mg/L), exceeding the 50 mg/L limit. Microbiological results revealed that 73% of samples had heterotrophic plate counts above 100 CFU/mL, with the highest co tamination in streams and some boreholes. Coliform bacteria were detected in 60% of samples, and isolates identified included Shigella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Corynebacterium spp. Household data indicated that 59.3% relied on tap water and 36.0% on boreholes, with only 42.9% treating water before use, mostly by boiling. Waterborne diseases were reported by 36% of respondents, mainly typhoid and diarrhoea. The study concludes that most drinking water sources in Amufi are unsafe for consumption, highlighting the urgent need for improved treatment, sanitation, and continuous monitoring to protect public health.

Aba, a major commercial hub in southeastern Nigeria, faces growing air pollution pressures, particularly from carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosols. Sentinel-5P satellite data processed on Google Earth Engine were used to track their concentrations from 2019 to 2024, with annual, monthly, and spatial patterns assessed alongside inter-annual variation. CO peaked at 0.0562 mol/m² in 2024 and was lowest in 2023 at 0.0489 mol/m². February consistently recorded the highest monthly values, reflecting intensified dry-season emissions and limited atmospheric dispersion. Aerosols followed a similar seasonal cycle, peaking in February, with the highest concentration in 2024 (0.1683) and the lowest in 2020 (-0.7115). Spatial analysis revealed persistent hotspots in central and northern Aba, especially around Ariaria International Market, Aba Industrial Zone, and Ngwa Road Market, while outlying areas such as Asa Umu Nka and Crystal Park Avenue maintained lower levels. Statistical testing showed that CO differences were significant in the early years (2019–2020, 2021–2022) and highly significant in the later period (2023–2024 and the 2019–2024 comparison), while no significant changes occurred in 2020–2021 or 2022–2023. Aerosols, by contrast, recorded highly significant differences from
2019 to 2022, but no significant changes in the later years, except for a strong 2019–2024
contrast. Despite these fluctuations, both pollutants remained persistently elevated in densely populated and economically active zones, underscoring continued risks to health and environmental quality. The findings confirm the value of Sentinel-5P and Google Earth Engine for urban air quality assessment and highlight the need for targeted emission control and stronger regulatory oversight.

Climate change presents significant threats to human and environmental systems, with impacts including rising temperatures, flooding, drought, biodiversity loss, and declining agricultural productivity. While a variety of adaptation strategies exist, adoption rates remain relatively low, often due to social, institutional, and psychological barriers rather than a lack of available
measures. This study helps to investigate the underlying factors that hinder individuals from adopting climate change adaptation strategies, with particular focus on psychological, social, financial, institutional, and sociocultural barriers. A structured questionnaire was administered to 160 respondents in Benin City, and the data were analyzed using SPSS for reliability, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis. The reliability of the instrument used for this study is 0.867. The result revealed that a majority of respondents are aware of climate change adaptation strategies and understand their potential impacts. Contrary to expectations, insufficient finance and sociocultural beliefs were not identified as significant barriers, as most respondents demonstrated that finance was not a barrier to them and cultural openness to adaptation measures. Institutional and government-related barriers were minimal, though concerns about unclear policies and low trust in government initiatives were noted. Psychological barriers, such as low self-efficacy and skepticism toward expert advice, emerged as moderate obstacles, influencing perceptions of responsibility and individual action. Correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between age and education with climate change awareness, while awareness was positively associated with psychological barriers. Therefore, people in the study area have little challenges in term of awareness, finances, institutional, psychological and
sociocultural barriers in adopting climate change adaptation strategies. . However, climate literacy should be integrated into curricula and supported by media and community-based outreach so as to increase awareness.