ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Environmental pollution from fish processing activities is a critical issue in Nigeria, especially in urban areas such as Benin City, where the rapid growth of artisanal fish processing contributes to environmental degradation. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of stakeholder participation in managing environmental pollution resulting from fish processing activities in Benin City, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Data were collected from 80 respondents, including fish processors, market association leaders, community leaders, waste disposal service providers, and local government officers within the study area. A structured questionnaire served as the main instrument for data collection. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The findings were presented in tables and figures for clarity and proper interpretation. Findings revealed that fish processing sites generate multiple waste types, including fish scales (82%), waste water (91%), packaging waste (74%), oil/fat residues (76%), and ash (69%), most of which are disposed of through open dumping, burning, or drainage channels. Key stakeholders identified include waste service providers, NGOs, community leaders, market associations, and environmental officers. However, stakeholder participation was found to be only moderately effective, limited by inadequate coordination, poor enforcement, and insufficient waste infrastructure. The study concludes that sustainable waste management in fish processing requires strong institutional collaboration, participatory governance, improved policy enforcement, and enhanced environmental education to promote cleaner and safer fish processing practices in Benin City.

The hazards that microplastic pollution have incurred ecologically has made it a key environmental concern. This study determined the occurrences of microplastics in the surface water taken from Ikpoba River in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of thirty (N=30) water samples were obtained from the period of August to September 2025. The samples were collected in glass bottles from both upstream and downstream areas of the river and then tested in the laboratory using standard methods. Eight different polymer types were identified from Station 1, 2, and 3 including, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polyvincyl Chloride (PVC) materials known for their potential toxic effects. The polymer composition of microplastics was confirmed using the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The result showed that microplastics were abundant in station 3, (40.35%) and was relatively low in station 1 (26.07%). The mean and standard error (S.E) indicated low concentrations of microplastics in the upstream (13.00 ± 1.58) and high concentrations in the downstream (20.12 ± 1.70). The findings indicate that microplastics pollution in the Ikpoba River may have potential ecological and human health implications due to long-term exposure and bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. Consequently, it is important for government agencies and environmental regulators to improve waste management practices, adopt stricter regulations for plastic disposal, and scale up public awareness campaigns to mitigate plastic pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems and human populations.

This study investigates the environmental impact of the Ekosodin dumpsite in Benin City, Edo State, on surrounding groundwater quality, specifically addressing the risks of leachate infiltration. The research aim was to evaluate twenty-two physicochemical and microbial parameters across eight sampling locations to determine the spatial extent of contamination and assess the suitability of local water resources for domestic use. By benchmarking these parameters against World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), the study provides a comprehensive overview of how inadequate waste management practices threaten the availability of safe potable water for the community. The methodology integrated systematic laboratory analysis with advanced geospatial modeling using ArcGIS 10.8. Groundwater samples were collected from eight borehole locations and analyzed for various physical, chemical, and biological properties, including heavy metals like Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). A Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated for each site to classify water quality, while Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation was applied to map the spatial distribution of pollutants. Furthermore, a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model was developed to quantify the relationship between five key parameters—including Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Iron (Fe)—and the calculated WQI, achieving a high predictive accuracy with an R 2 value of 0.9983. Results revealed a significant degradation gradient, with WQI values ranging from 27.20% to 130.05% (and up to 945.24% in specific computations), indicating that boreholes closest to the dumpsite possess very poor water quality unsuitable for drinking. Spatial analysis confirmed the dumpsite as the primary source of elevated heavy metals and organic contaminants, though quality generally improves as the distance from the waste source increases. The study concludes that leachate from the Ekosodin dumpsite severely impairs groundwater safety, leading to the recommendation that future boreholes be sited at least 400 meters away from disposal areas. These findings emphasize the urgent need for modernized waste management strategies and continuous groundwater monitoring to protect public health and ensure a sustainable water supply.

Effective waste management remains a critical challenge in many urban and rural communities, particularly in developing countries where improper disposal contributes to environmental pollution and public health risks. This project focuses on the design and fabrication of a waste segregation system aimed at improving the sorting of municipal solid waste at the source. The system is engineered to automatically separate waste materials into distinct categories such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable components using a combination of sensors, mechanical components, and control mechanisms.
The design incorporates affordable and locally available materials to ensure cost-effectiveness and ease of replication. Key components include a conveyor mechanism, sensing units for material identification, and sorting bins for categorized waste collection. The fabrication process involved assembling the mechanical framework, integrating electronic control systems, and testing the functionality of the system under different waste conditions.
Performance evaluation of the system demonstrated its ability to accurately segregate waste with improved efficiency compared to manual sorting methods. The results indicate that the system can significantly reduce human effort, minimize environmental hazards, and enhance recycling processes. This study concludes that the developed waste segregation system is a practical and sustainable solution for improving waste management practices, and it holds potential for adoption in households, institutions, and small-scale industries. Effective waste management remains a critical challenge in many urban and rural communities, particularly in developing countries where improper disposal contributes to environmental pollution and public health risks. This project focuses on the design and fabrication of a waste segregation system aimed at improving the sorting of municipal solid waste at the source. The system is engineered to automatically separate waste materials into distinct categories such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable components using a combination of sensors, mechanical components, and control mechanisms.
The design incorporates affordable and locally available materials to ensure cost-effectiveness and ease of replication. Key components include a conveyor mechanism, sensing units for material identification, and sorting bins for categorized waste collection. The fabrication process involved assembling the mechanical framework, integrating electronic control systems, and testing the functionality of the system under different waste conditions.
Performance evaluation of the system demonstrated its ability to accurately segregate waste with improved efficiency compared to manual sorting methods. The results indicate that the system can significantly reduce human effort, minimize environmental hazards, and enhance recycling processes. This study concludes that the developed waste segregation system is a practical and sustainable solution for improving waste management practices, and it holds potential for adoption in households, institutions, and small-scale industries.

Environmental pollution by cadmium poses significant cardiovascular health risks, particularly in developing nations experiencing rapid industrialization.
This study investigated the ameliorative effects of watermelon peel extract on cadmium-induced cardiac
histopathology in Wistar rats. Twenty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (distilled water), cadmium only, cadmium plus Vitamin C, cadmium plus 250mg/kg watermelon peel extract, and cadmium plus 500mg/kg watermelon peel extract. Animals received oral administration thrice weekly over 60 days following a two-phase induction and treatment protocol. Cadmium exposure resulted in elevated cardiac cadmium accumulation (0.240 mg/g versus 0.117 mg/g in controls) and suppressed body weight gain. Watermelon peel extract provided dose-dependent cardioprotection, with the 500mg/kg dose achieving 58% reduction in cardiac cadmium levels (0.102 mg/g) and improved body weight gain (74.44%), approaching the efficacy of Vitamin C (63% reduction, 0.089 mg/g). The 250mg/kg dose demonstrated moderate protection with 39% cadmium reduction.
Histopathological examination revealed preserved myocardial architecture across all groups with intact cardiomyocyte arrangement and well-defined cross-striations, suggesting the exposure period represented an early phase where biochemical changes occurred without microscopic structural damage.
The findings demonstrate that watermelon peel extract provides significant dose-dependent protection against cadmium bioaccumulation in cardiac tissue, supporting its potential as a locally accessible natural intervention for populations at risk of environmental cadmium exposure.

The improper disposal of waste engine oil poses significant environmental challenges causing serious pollution to the eco system and contaminating both land and groundwater. In this study the recycling/treatment of waste engine oil using different chemical method was investigated. The waste engine oil was first treated with glacial acetic acid and thereafter treated with kaolin. The treated oil was then neutralized with alcoholic potassium hydroxide and then filtered. The procedure was repeated using sulphuric acid and kaolin and glacial acetic acid with bentonite. The filtrate was characterized determining specific gravity, viscosity and flash point. The results showed that the flash point was within a range of 147°C - 177°C. viscosity with a range of 96.5 – 104.6mm2s -1 . However, all properties tested were close in value to the commercial lubricating oil

The study seeks to investigate the knowledge of causes and effects of environmental pollution among residents in Egor local government area. In order that the objective in this research work might be achieved, research design employed in this research is descriptive survey design. The data collected from the questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Based on the data collected it was discovered that there is a high level of knowledge of the causes and effects of environmental pollution among residents in Egor local government area. Additionally it was discovered that it was discovered female residents in Egor local government area of Edo state have an influence on the level of knowledge of the causes and effects of environmental pollution. The study recommends organizing educational workshops that focus on the causes and effects of environmental pollution, Launch awareness campaigns using various media, including radio, television, social media, and local newspapers, . Implementing educational programs in local schools to teach children about environmental issues, Organizing clean-up events that not only help improve the local environment but also serve as practical learning experiences about pollution and its effects and Encouraging active participation from both males and females in environmental conservation efforts can foster a more comprehensive understanding of pollution and its impacts.