An assessment of the awareness level of coastal and upland communities in Nigeria on the impacts of marine litter on the ocean and its ecosystem services
Marine litter, also known as marine debris, is a global problem that poses significant threats to the health and well-being of our oceans and its inhabitants. The impacts of marine litter on the ocean and its ecosystem services are far-reaching and can have severe consequences for coastal and upland communities. In Nigeria, it is important to assess the level of awareness of these communities on the impacts of marine litter in order to develop effective strategies for addressing this issue.
Background:
Marine litter is defined as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment (UNEP, 2018). Marine litter is a global problem and is found in all regions of the ocean, from the poles to the equator. Some of the common sources of marine litter include land-based activities, such as littering, illegal dumping, and sewage, as well as ocean-based activities, such as fishing and shipping. Marine litter can have severe impacts on the ocean and its inhabitants, including the loss of biodiversity, damage to habitats, and the introduction of harmful chemicals and pollutants into the food chain.
Literature Review:
Studies have shown that Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest coastal and marine litter in West Africa (Adegoke et al., 2018). Marine litter in Nigeria is mostly caused by human activities such as poor waste management, industrial activities, and poor coastal sanitation (Adegoke et al., 2018). The impacts of marine litter on the ocean and its ecosystem services in Nigeria include the loss of biodiversity, damage to habitats, and the introduction of harmful chemicals and pollutants into the food chain.
Examples:
The impacts of marine litter on the ocean and its ecosystem services in Nigeria is the damage to habitats. Marine litter can accumulate in coastal areas, causing damage to habitats and reducing the availability of food for marine animals. For example, plastic debris can smother coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are important habitats for a wide range of marine species (UNEP, 2018).
Another example is the introduction of harmful chemicals and pollutants into the food chain. Marine litter, particularly plastic debris, can absorb and concentrate pollutants such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals (UNEP, 2018). These pollutants can then enter the food chain when they are ingested by marine animals, potentially causing harm to human health and the environment.
Explanations:
A contributing factor to the high prevalence of marine litter in Nigeria is the inadequate infrastructure and resources for waste collection and disposal. These deficiencies in waste management systems lead to a lack of proper disposal options for individuals and industries, resulting in an increase of litter in coastal areas.(Adegoke et al., 2018). In addition, the lack of enforcement of existing laws and regulations related to waste management also contributes to the problem.
Another reason for the high level of marine litter in Nigeria is the presence of a large number of informal settlements along the coast. These settlements are often located in areas that are prone to flooding and are not connected to the formal waste management system (Adegoke et al., 2018). As a result, residents in these areas may not have access to proper waste disposal facilities and may resort to disposing of waste in the ocean.
Analysis:
It is clear that marine litter is a significant problem in Nigeria, with a variety of sources and impacts on the ocean and its ecosystem services. However, there is a lack of information on the level of awareness of coastal and upland communities in Nigeria on the impacts of marine litter. This lack of awareness may be a barrier to the effective management and reduction of marine litter in the country.
Illustration:
To illustrate the lack of awareness of coastal and upland communities in Nigeria on the impacts of marine litter, a survey could be conducted
References:
Ehirim, B. C. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MARINE PLASTIC LITTER IN NIGERIA AND WEST AFRICAN REGION: STATE, IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES.
Osuji, J. N., & Agbakwuru, J. A. (2022). A Review on Effectiveness of Marine Pollution Control and Management in Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 26(6), 1187-1190.
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