1.1 Introduction
Oil spillage is the release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into an environment, but it also includes animal fats, vegetable oils, and other non-petroleum oils. Crude oil spills are mainly caused by equipment failure, operational errors, and leaks from obsolete pipes or willful damage. The term often refers to marine oil spills, sensitive habitats – including areas vital to fish where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters. breeding, sea turtle nesting, mangroves and Oil spills include releases of crude oil from tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs and wells, as well as spills of refined petroleum products (such as gasoline, diesel) and their by-products, and heavier fuels used by large ships such as bunker fuel, or the spill of any oily white substance refuse or waste oil.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The high concentration of oil in accidental spills represents a serious environmental threat, until the oil is diluted and/or degraded. Low temperature, ice and lack of infrastructure will generally make the impact of oil spills in the Arctic longer lasting than at lower latitudes. The spreading, fate and impact of oil spilled in different habitats differ, with the marine spill having the potential to impact large areas and resources far away from the spill site, while terrestrial spill are generally confined to limited areas. Oil is toxic to almost all organisms. The toxic effect depends on the composition and concentration of the oil, and the sensitivity of the species affected. A species may have a high individual sensitivity and low population sensitivity, if individuals are evenly and/or widely distributed and have a high reproductive capacity. This is the case for many species at lower trophic levels. Population impacts are therefore more likely at the higher trophic levels, where many species occur in significant concentrations and have a lower reproduction rate. Due to the diversity of oil types, habitats and the importance of weather conditions for the fate of the oil, impact predictions can only be in general terms. However, from toxicological tests and impact studies after oil spill events, a body of general knowledge exists. This information can be used to assess the potential impact of oil spills in different environments, as well as minimizing potential impacts through planning of activities to avoid the most sensitive areas and periods and planning of oil spill cleanup. The relevant knowledge for dealing with environmental impacts of oil spills in Niger Delta consists of general knowledge on the fate in different habitats, effects of oil on different animal groups (especially in the Arctic), and area (site) specific information from Niger Delta on the dynamics of ecosystems and populations likely to be impacted from an oil spill. Although there still are a number of general information gaps for oil spills in the Arctic, research especially in Niger Delta region have provided important information of relevance to Niger Delta conditions. However in order to fully apply this knowledge area-specific information from Niger Delta on sensitive areas and on population dynamics is needed. Some part of this information can be gathered from marine areas of hydrocarbon interest at this stage of hydrocarbon exploration, while information from the terrestrial environment generally will benefit from a more targeted approach, when explorative oil drilling sites on land have been planned.
Therefore, in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to investigate the determinant of oil spillage and its effect on the coastal communities in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that when an oil spill occurs, many elements of the environment may be affected. Depending on the magnitude of the spill and its location, the effects can vary, ranging from minimal to serious ones. For instance, oil spills can have a major impact on the temporary animal and fish loss of habitat. Heavy oils may affect several organism functions like respiration, feeding, and thermo-regulation. At the same time, the entire ecosystem can change temporarily because of the chemical components and elements of the spilled oil that are toxic to the environment. Usually, the oil spills occurring in a water environment (e.g., ocean or seas, or leaks from rigs ending up in water) are rapidly degraded as compared to oil spills on land or in the subsurface environment. However, on this note the researcher wants to investigate the oil spillage and its environmental effects.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the determinant of oil spillage and its effect on the coastal communities in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the factors militating oil spillage and its effect on the coastal communities.
- To ascertain the effect of oil spillage in the maritime environment.
- To ascertain the level of damage caused by oil spillage in the environment.
- To ascertain the relationship between oil spillage and the well being the habitats.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Is there any significant relationship between oil spillage and the well being the habitats?
- Are there factors militating oil spillage and its effect on the coastal communities?
- What is the effect of oil spillage in the maritime environment?
- What is the level of damage caused by oil spillage in the environment?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no effect of oil spillage in the maritime environment
- H1: There is effect of oil spillage in the maritime environment
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no relationship between oil spillage and the well being the habitats
- H1: There is a relationship between oil spillage and the well being the habitats
1.7 Significance of Study
This study is very significant to students, general public especially to Niger Delta region. Oil spillage is very hazardous to living organism which demands for urgent solutions for the well living of the habitats. This study will find out the causes of oil spillage, the effect in the environment and the prevention measures.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the determinant of oil spillage and its effect on the coastal communities in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Oil Spillage: An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is usually given to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters, but spills may also occur on land.
Environment: Environment is everything that is around us. It can be living or non-living things. It includes physical, chemical and other natural forces. Living things live in their environment. They constantly interact with it and adapt themselves to conditions in their environment.
Environmental Hazard: An environmental hazard is a substance, a state or an event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment / or adversely affect people's health, including pollution and natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes.
Environmental Degradation: Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution.
1.11 Organization of the Study
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows:
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
Chapter two highlights theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
