1.1 Introduction
Marine litter is a pressing and growing global environmental challenge, but also an economic opportunity; preventing marine litter can enable materials and their value to remain in a circular economy. Marine litter is any discarded or lost material entering the marine environment from human activities (Cheshire et al., 2009). It is found in all marine habitats (UNEP, 2005; Ivar do Sul and Costa, 2014) and it is a growing threat for the marine environment (Pham et al., 2014) all over the world. It occurs in all size ranges from commercial shipping containers to plastic bottles, cigarettes butts, industrial pellets, all the way down to particles in nanometer size.
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
Oceans cover almost three quarters of the Earth’s surface and comprise nine-tenths of our water resources. Water bodies are home to over 97 percent of life on our planet and constitute an essential part of our biosphere (Uche et al., 2017). Sadly, human activities in the last 5 decades have resulted in the pollution of the ocean and the marine environment, led to over exploitation of living resources, alteration and destruction of marine habitats and influx of solid wastes such as plastics (Zabbey et al., 2015).
Marine litter can damage vessels, fouling ship propulsion equipment or cooling systems. Loss of productivity and revenues and disrupted supply chains can result from delays and accidents. Further impacts relate to repair costs, rescue efforts and loss of life or injury. Marine litter can degrade ecosystems, their components, functions and associated ecosystem services. Furthermore, litter items can be toxic to species, or they can facilitate the spread of invasive alien species (IAS), with negative impacts on the receiving ecosystems. Marine litter on coastlines and beaches is obvious and omnipresent (JRC, 2011).
Negative impacts on the marine environment and ecosystems can have further negative implications for local communities and certain economic sectors, such as long term impacts on fisheries and tourism. They can also lead to social costs including reduced opportunities for recreational activities, health risks to coastal visitors foregone benefits from access to coastal environments and potential risks associated with the consumption of contaminated marine products. These costs can be disproportionately felt by certain groups and certain regions.
Therefore, in Akwa Ibom State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the Effects of Marine Litter on the Socio-Economic Sustainability of Riverine Dwellers.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Navigable channels in the Akwa Ibom State are faced with the recalcitrant problem of suspended debris clogging their paths making it difficult for the public to put them to proper use. According to the stakeholders, several accidents and mishaps have occurred as a result of this avoidable menace. Marine litters are classed as point source or non-point source. Point source pollution occurs when there is a single, identifiable, and localized source of the pollution. That is, “point source” means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Effects of Marine Litter on the Socio-Economic Sustainability of Riverine Dwellers in Akwa Ibom State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the affected navigable marine channels in Akwa Ibom State
- To create awareness among Riverine Dwellers in Akwa Ibom State on the dangers of marine litter
- To carry out a Qualitative and Quantitative Characterization of material in the affected marine channels
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:
- Are there any affected navigable marine channels in Akwa Ibom State?
- Are Riverine Dwellers in Akwa Ibom State aware about the dangers of marine litter?
- What is the Qualitative and Quantitative Characterization of material in the affected marine channels?
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.
- H0: There is no significant factor militating marine litter on the Socio-economic sustainability among Riverine Dwellers in Akwa Ibom State
- H1: There is a significant factor militating marine litter on the Socio-economic sustainability among Riverine Dwellers in Akwa Ibom State
1.7 Significance of Study
The study would enable the officer’s in-charge to improve on the system of transportation where lapses are discovered or exists. It will also help to serve as literature (reference source) to students, individuals or corporate bodies into what to carry out on further research on the similar topic.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Effects of Marine Litter on the Socio-Economic Sustainability of Riverine Dwellers in 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
Marine: Marine is an adjective for things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology. As a noun it can be a term for a kind of navy, those enlisted in such a navy, or members of troops attached to a navy, e.g. The United States Marine Corps or the UK Royal Marines.
Shipping: Shipping, initially derived from the word relationship, is the desire by fans for two or more people, either real-life people or fictional characters (in film, literature, television etc.) to be in a relationship, romantic or otherwise. It is considered a general term for fans’ emotional involvement with the ongoing development of a relationship in a work of fiction. Shipping often takes the form of creative works, including fan fiction and fan art, most often published on the internet.
Marine Litter: Marine Litter occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful, effects result from the entry into the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, noise, or the spread of invasive organisms.
