GPH-International Journal of Applied Science

ASSESSING VARIATIONS IN METAL BIOACCUMULATION IN BLUE CRAB (CALLINECTES AMNICOLA) TISSUE FROM SEDIMENT IN ELECHI CREEK, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

ESE WHISKEY — 2026-10-24

This paper assessed the hazardous metal concentrations and bioconcentration in blue crab (Callinectes Amnicola) from sediment in Elechi Creek, Niger Delta. Sampling occurred at three distinct stations: Station 1 (ST1), a sand-fill area with limited tidal influence; Station 2 (ST2), near a sawmill; and Station 3 (ST3), downstream with stormwater inflows. Monthly collections of sediment, water, and crab tissue were conducted over six months, with metals analyzed via Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results showed notable spatial variations in metal levels. ST3 recorded the highest concentrations, with Fe at 35.8 ± 8.9 mg/L, Zn at 11.9 ± 3.1 mg/L, Cd at 0.06 ± 0.03 mg/L, and Cu at 114.1 ± 65.0 mg/L in surface water, while sediment levels included Fe at 161.1 ± 27.3 mg/kg and Cu at 425.1 ± 22.4 mg/kg. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and bioconcentration factors (BCF) indicated high metal uptake in crabs, especially for Zn and Fe; the BAF values were found to be 13.8571 mg/kg for Zn and 1.1955 mg/kg for Fe at ST3, hence showing higher bioavailability at this location. These results confirmed high levels of metals and accumulating trends in ST3, which might reflect some of the environmental impacts due to localized activities. Overall, this study is an indication of the fact that regular monitoring in the Niger Delta is unavoidable to reduce metal accumulation hazards both to aquatic ecosystems and public health.

A Critical Review of Environmental Exposure and Health Risks Around Gas-Fired Power Plants

ANWULIKA LAURA OPONE — 2026-10-24

Gas-fired electricity generation can reduce several combustion emissions relative to coal, but its environmental advantages do not establish the absence of exposure or health risks in host communities. This critical narrative review examines 41 studies and synthesises evidence on particulate matter, potentially toxic metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons across air, soil, indoor dust, and edible plants, with particular attention to Rivers State, Nigeria. The review retains all 41 records in a thesis evidence matrix and supplements them with targeted publication checks and authoritative risk-assessment guidance. Evidence is differentiated by fuel type, environmental medium, study design, and the strength of source attribution. Gas-turbine measurements demonstrate fine and ultrafine particle emissions, while atmospheric modelling and epidemiological studies provide complementary evidence of potential community impacts. Soil and vegetable investigations identify additional exposure pathways, although contamination near a plant cannot automatically be attributed to that facility. Coal-based findings illuminate transport and exposure mechanisms but require qualification before application to gas-fired settings. Important limitations include seasonal sampling gaps, insufficient integration of indoor and outdoor measurements, uncertain source attribution, and limited linkage between environmental measurements and observed health outcomes. An integrated assessment approach is proposed for further studies, combining meteorologically informed sampling, suitable reference locations, chemical characterisation, occupation-specific exposure assessment, and explicit uncertainty analysis. Protection of host communities requires attention to cumulative exposure across workplaces and households alongside control of plant emissions.

Wet-Season Co-Occurrence of Ambient Air Pollutants and Environmental Noise in Ughelli, Nigeria: A Spatial Screening Study

Omoko Ejiro Newton — 2026-10-27

Urban residents may experience air pollution and environmental noise together, but co-occurrence does not establish a statistical interaction or a health effect. This study screens wet-season air quality and sound levels at 17 activity-centred sites and one background reference point in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria. The source project reports single-site readings for carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, A-weighted sound level, temperature, relative humidity, wind and elevation. We reconstructed descriptive statistics from the tabulated observations and recalculated Pearson correlations for the 17 urban sites, retaining the control point as a contextual reference. Urban-site means were 93.99 dBA for sound, 154.0 µg m⁻³ for PM₂.₅ and 204.35 µg m⁻³ for PM₁₀; the corresponding ranges were 85.3–104.2 dBA, 26–602 µg m⁻³ and 30–797 µg m⁻³. Correlations between sound and the measured pollutants were weak and statistically non-significant (|r| ≤ 0.33; p ≥ .198). The results identify locations for follow-up monitoring but do not support causal attribution, seasonal comparison, formal health-risk estimates or claims of a demonstrated air–noise interaction. A key contribution is a transparent reanalysis that separates the background point, corrects inconsistencies in the source narrative and specifies the evidence needed for a defensible long-term exposure assessment.