Informatics Publishing Limited

E. A. Ubuoh ¹, W. N. Akhionbare ², S. M. O. Akhionbare ³, C. I. Ikhile ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
2 Department of Project Management, Federal University of Technology, Owerri
3 Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri
4 Department of Geography, University of Benin, Benin City

Abstract

Studies on the effects of oil exploration activities in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria have shown that the air quality has been negatively impacted over the years. The quality of rainwater is a function of the prevailing air quality in any area where it falls. Rainwater is an alternative water supply for most of the local population. This study evaluated the spatial variation of rainwater quality in selected locations in parts of Akwa Ibom State within the months of March, July and November using temperature, pH, colour, NO₃, Fe, Pb, Cd, and Mn as indices. Control locations in the northern part of the State were also selected. Results showed that rainwater quality in study locations in the south (5.1-5.7) was more acidic than in the north (5.4 - 6.9). Generally, values of quality parameters in the study locations were higher than their values in the control locations and followed the pattern March > November > July values. Critical levels of heavy metals were observed (Fe: 0.21 - 0.62 mg/l; Pb: 0.12 - 0.90 mg/l; Cd: 0.01 - 0.05 mg/l; Mn: 0.02 - 0.07 mg/l in study locations) and Fe: 0.1 - 0.90 mg/l; Pb: 0.01 - 0.60 mg/l; Cd: 0.00 - 0.003 mg/l and Mn: 0.01 - 2.10 mg/l in control locations). It was also established that rainwater contaminant levels are a function of the frequency and intensity of the rainfall; the levels in this study expectedly reduced with an increased rainwater intensity. Wind action and lithogenic effects played a role in the dry periods.

Keywords

Variation, Precipitation, Scavenging, Frequency, Intensity, Chloropleth Maps, Lithogenic, Wind

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E. A. Ubuoh ¹, S. M. O. Akhionbare ², O. A. Onifade ¹, S. I Ogbuji ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Management Technology, Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri
2 Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri
3 Department of Project Management Technology, University of Technology, Owerri

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the investigation, of health impacts of environmental noise context in Owerri-urban, due to incessant complaints of urban dwellers of noise pollution and their effects on the health. This was measured by the use of 210 questionnaires on urban dwellers along the major routes in which 30 questionnaires were randomly administered between sampled routes designated NP1- NP7. The observed results indicates, that the automobile has 32.3%, the church has 3.3%, the construction work has 19.5%, the market has 5.7%, industrial activities 9.0%, hawking 10%, and school 6.6%, with the automobile recording the highest response as the main source of environmental noise pollution and the church having the least response. For the perceived health problems caused by environmental noise, the results further show that Cardiovascular and Physiological effects constituted 20.5%, Hearing Impairment did 25.2%, Sleeplessness did 21.9%, mental health did 11.4%, annoyance did 6.6% and human performance did 14.2%, with hearing impairment ranking the highest and the lowest being annoyance. Environmental noise was at the peak between the hours of eight- 11 A.M constituting 49.1%. The hours between three-seven pm constitutes 39.5%, while <10pm has 11.4% indicating the noise pollution is less in the evening time of the day where people are indoor for rest. These call for best management practice like enforcement of pollution law, maintenance of vehicles and creation of awareness on health implications of environmental noise.

Keywords

Health-impacts, Environmental Noise, Ambient Noise

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