Implications of Artisanal Crude Oil Refining on Sustainable Food Production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The rate of environmental degradation is an increasing trend globally and most especially in many developing nations where it has food production implications. This deterioration in environmental quality is mostly attributed to population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and unsustainable agricultural practices. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is the oil and gas province of Nigeria. The activities of illegal crude oil refiners, theft, vandalism, etc. are common within the region, thereby leading to the degradation of major biophysical environmental matrices and conditions. Plant and fish-based diets are the major food sources for humans within the Niger Delta region. This review focuses on the implications of artisanal crude oil refining (ACOR) on sustainable food production in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The review found that the activities of artisanal crude oil refiners are harming the vegetation cover, altering the physicochemical and microbial composition of the soil, and releasing hydrocarbons into the environment, which are absorbed by vegetation leading to an increase in human and biodiversity contamination from ACOR as well as loss of arable farmlands, uncontrolled bush burning, and increased cases of soil erosion. Therefore, ACOR activities are having negative effects on food security, which is characterized by food availability, accessibility, stability, and utilization. Hence, there is a need to curtail the activities of ACOR through the issuance of operational liens followed by stricter regulations and monitoring of harmful emissions released during the processes.

Fecundity Estimation of Atlantic mudskipperPeriophthalmus barbarusin Ogbo-Okolo mangrove Forest of Santa Barbara River, Bayelsa State Niger Delta, Nigeria

“…Rainfall is heavy year-round, with peak precipitation from May to July averaging over 300 mm monthly as describe by studies from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria (Olalekan et al, 2022a, b;Raimi et al, 2022b, c, d;Glory et al, 2023;Raimi et al, 2023). The abundant rainfall contributes to the mangrove swamps and muddy conditions ideal for mudskippers.…”

Evaluating Bioremediation Strategies on Microbial Diversity in Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil Over Three to Six Months in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

“…Soil contamination by crude oil poses a formidable environmental challenge, with profound implications for ecosystem health and human well-being (Ayibatonye et al, 2024a, b;Omoyajowo et al, 2024;Saliu et al, 2023;Raheem et al, 2023;Kader et al, 2023a, c;Raimi et al, 2022a, b;Ifeanyichukwu et al, 2022;Raimi and Odubo, 2022;Deinkuro et al, 2021a, b;Olalekan et al, 2021;Okoyen et al, 2020;Olalekan et al, 2019b;Premoboere and Raimi, 2018;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017a). The persistence of hydrocarbons in soil matrices disrupts microbial communities, impeding crucial nutrient cycling processes and heightening the risk of groundwater contamination (Raimi et al, 2023;Olalekan et al, 2023;Glory et al, 2023;Kader et al, 2023b;Stephen et al, 2023;Stephen et al, 2022;Awogbami et al, 2022;Raimi et al, 2022c, d, e;Afolabi and Raimi, 2021;Raimi et al, 2021;Afolabi and Morufu, 2021;Morufu et al, 2021a, b, c;Olalekan et al, 2020;Olalekan et al, 2019a;Raimi et al, 2019d;Raimi, 2019;Olalekan et al, 2018;Morufu and Clinton, 2017;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017b). Urgent action is required to develop effective remediation strategies (Alaidaroos, 2023;Morufu et al, 2021d;Adedoyin et al, 2020;Raimi et al, 2020a;…”

“…Urgent action is required to develop effective remediation strategies (Alaidaroos, 2023;Morufu et al, 2021d;Adedoyin et al, 2020;Raimi et al, 2020a;Ajayi et al, 2020;Olalekan et al, 2020b, c;Suleiman et al, 2019;Omidiji and Raimi, 2019). Bioremediation has emerged as a promising solution, harnessing the metabolic prowess of microorganisms to degrade hydrocarbons and restore soil functionality (Deinkuro et al, 2021a, b;Glory et al, 2023;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017a). Widely adopted for its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and versatility, bioremediation stands as a preferable alternative to traditional physicochemical treatment methods (Sylvester et al, 2023;Yuniati, 2018).…”

“…Bioremediation has emerged as a promising solution, harnessing the metabolic prowess of microorganisms to degrade hydrocarbons and restore soil functionality (Deinkuro et al, 2021a, b;Glory et al, 2023;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017a). Widely adopted for its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and versatility, bioremediation stands as a preferable alternative to traditional physicochemical treatment methods (Sylvester et al, 2023;Yuniati, 2018). Bioremediation encompasses diverse strategies, including bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and phytoremediation, each tailored to stimulate hydrocarbon degradation in soil (Deinkuro et al, 2021a, b;Cai et al, 2020).…”

“…Thus, Port Harcourt which stands as a pivotal hub in the oil and gas industry, boasting an array of refineries, petrochemical plants, and industrial complexes. Its proliferation of these industrial facilities has precipitated widespread environmental deterioration, notably through soil contamination stemming from oil spills and pollutant emissions (Kwen et al, 2024;Raimi et al, 2023;Raufu et al, 2023;Olalekan et al, 2023;Rauf and Raimi, 2023;Glory et al, 2023;Kader et al, 2023b;Stephen et al, 2023;Yusf et al, 2023;Stephen et al, 2022;Awogbami et al, 2022;Raimi et al, 2022c, d, e;Clinton-Ezekwe et al, 2022;Afolabi and Raimi, 2021;Raimi et al, 2021a, b;Afolabi and Morufu, 2021;Morufu et al, 2021a, b, c, e, f;Raimi et al, 2020b;Olalekan et al, 2020a;Olalekan et al, 2019a;Raimi et al, 2019b, c, d;Raimi, 2019;Ebuete et al, 2019;Olalekan et al, 2018;Odipe et al, 2018;Raimi et al, 2018;Morufu and Clinton, 2017;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017b). This environmental degradation, compounded by issues such as deforestation and urbanization, presents formidable challenges for Port Harcourt (Raimi et al, 2019b, c;Olalekan et al, 2019b).…”