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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2002

M.J. Ayotamuno, A.J. Akor and T.J. Igho

The research assessed the development of petroleum drilling activities and its associated waste discharges in the Niger Delta environment of Nigeria. Field visits were made to 18…

2394

Abstract

The research assessed the development of petroleum drilling activities and its associated waste discharges in the Niger Delta environment of Nigeria. Field visits were made to 18 wells in which petroleum drilling operation was in progress. Of this number, wastes samples were randomly collected from ten wells for data collation and laboratory analysis. Results show that petroleum drilling waste types in Nigeria include cuttings, mud/chemical, oil spills, cement slurry/dust, condemned pipes, filters, and machinery parts and even noise. Pretreatment of waste in hardly undertaken by the oil prospective companies before discharge into the surrounding environment. Total dissolved solid and oil/grease values as high as 3700mg l–1 and 1100 parts per million, respectively, were tested as effluent discharges around some of the wells studied. It was recommended that the Nigerian Government constitute a powerful environment monitoring body whose responsibility will be to ensure that the various multi‐national oil companies comply with petroleum laws and statutes of the country.

Details

Environmental Management and Health, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-6163

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1994

M.J. Ayotamuno and A.J. Akor

Studies the layout of system, chemical, and physical characteristics ofwastewater flowing in open drains in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Shows that some open drains are well…

636

Abstract

Studies the layout of system, chemical, and physical characteristics of wastewater flowing in open drains in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Shows that some open drains are well constructed and lined, while most of the others are not. Wastewater in these drains, especially in high density areas, are dark in appearance with high levels of turbidity, total solids, BOD, chloride and hardness. The rivers into which these drains discharge are always contaminated with refuse items, with the result that aquatic life is endangered.

Details

Environmental Management and Health, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-6163

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2007

D.N. Ogbonna, G.T. Amangabara and T.O. Ekere

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of rapid population growth due to uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization as it affects environmental degradation through solid…

6696

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of rapid population growth due to uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization as it affects environmental degradation through solid waste generation in Port Harcourt Metropolis, which has brought about the problem of solid waste management to city authorities and state government

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved the administration of questionnaires to 76 different households with a total population of 393 persons giving an average size of 7 persons per household. Also, formal interviews with officials of relevant government departments as wells as private stakeholders in urban solid waste management were conducted. The questionnaires were designed to elicit information on the characteristics of the respondents and waste generation capacity as well as disposal methods. The data abstracted from the questionnaires were analysed using the multiple linear regression to test for the significant differences. The study period was between January 1999 to December 1999

Findings

A total of 207.3 tonnes of solid waste was generated giving per capita annual waste generation rate of 0.53 tonnes equivalent to a waste generator rate of 1.45 kg of waste per capita daily. Analysis of solid waste composition was by land use types. The study showed that cartoons accounted for 16.1 percent, while papers and food remnants had 14.4 percent and 26.6 percent of total waste generated respectively.

Practical implications

Assist city dwellers tackle the problem posed by urban waste through provision of adequate infrastructure and social services.

Originality/value

The paper suggests continuous enlightenment programmes as well as employment of good technical services in the management of solid waste rather than the use of political will to tackle the problems. This work is original, as no such analysis has been carried out in Port Harcourt metropolis. The paper has provided data and knowledge upon which further research can be carried out.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2018

Gahana Gopal C., Yogesh B. Patil, Shibin K.T. and Anand Prakash

The purpose of this paper is to formulate frameworks for the drivers and barriers of integrated sustainable solid waste management (ISSWM) with reference to conditions prevailing…

1326

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate frameworks for the drivers and barriers of integrated sustainable solid waste management (ISSWM) with reference to conditions prevailing in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-phased approach was adopted in this paper to come up with the conceptual framework of the drivers and barriers of ISSWM. In the first phase, drivers and barriers of ISSWM were identified based on a systematic literature review process. In the second phase, 25 experts having 15 plus years of experience in the field of sustainable development and environmental management were consulted to get their opinion. Validation and understanding of the interrelationship among the selected drivers and barriers were done based on the insights from expert interviews. And in the final phase, structural self-interaction matrix and transitive links are defined based on the expert opinion to come up with the theoretical frameworks of drivers and barriers of ISSWM.

Findings

Findings reveal the importance to have a system view point approach by giving equal importance to social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainability along with the technology component to effectively and sustainably manage the solid waste disposal. Institutional effectiveness and the robust policy and frameworks are the two variables found to have the highest driving power. Poor social values and ethics, huge population and illiteracy are the three most critical barriers faced by developing nations in achieving the sustainability practices in the solid waste management. The proposed frameworks of drivers and barriers of ISSWM will definitely help policy makers to effectively manage the sustainable waste management practices for developing economies by focusing on the key variables listed out.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations is in the use of very limited sample size in the study. Another limitation is that total interpretive structural modeling fails to come up with the relative weightings of drivers and barriers used in the study. These limitations can be overcome by extending the research by using a semi-structured questionnaire survey with higher sample size for the empirical validation of the model.

Practical implications

This research will help to clearly understand the framework of drivers and barriers of variables and their hierarchical level based on the driving power and dependence. Since such articles focusing on the conceptual frameworks of drivers and barriers of ISSWM are found to be very scant, this paper will equally help academicians and waste management professionals to understand the concepts deeply, by getting answers to the fundamental questions of “what,” “why” and “how.” Developed framework of drivers explicitly shows the need to attain financial stability through the commercialization of the waste management initiatives, which will help to reduce burden on various governmental institutions. Commercialization opportunities will also help to have more successful start-up ventures in solid waste management domain that can provide improved employment opportunities and hygiene environment in the developing nations like India.

Originality/value

Based on the authors’ best knowledge, there is hardly any article that explicitly explains the conceptual frameworks of the drivers and barriers of ISSWM by considering the conditions prevailing in developing countries like India. And thus, this can be considered as one of the unique research attempts to build a clear conceptual framework of ISSWM. The study contributes significantly to the existing literature body by clearly interpreting the interrelationships and the driving power and dependence of variables of ISSWM.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2004

Josiah M. Ayotamuno and Akuro E. Gobo

Until recently, Port Harcourt was known as the “garden city of Nigeria” because of its neatness and the overwhelming presence of vegetation and flowers all over the metropolis…

4289

Abstract

Until recently, Port Harcourt was known as the “garden city of Nigeria” because of its neatness and the overwhelming presence of vegetation and flowers all over the metropolis. But today, the presence of piles of refuse dotting the entire city may have turned Port Harcourt rather to a “garbage city”. Indiscriminate dumping of wastes – industrial, commercial and household – such as food waste, paper, polyethene, textiles, scrap metals, glasses, wood, plastic, etc. at street corners and gutters, is still very common. The situation is so bad that traffic flow is obstructed, while there is likelihood that leachates from such dumps, after mixing with rain water, have the potential to contaminate drinking water. The basic solid waste management processes of collection, transport, segregation and final disposal appear to be very inefficient. This research carefully assessed the present system of solid waste management in Port Harcourt, with the aim of identifying the main bottlenecks to its efficiency and the way forward. The subject matter of solid waste management is the main object of discussion throughout this article.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2019

Johnbosco Emeka Umunnakwe, Ikem Ekweozor and Bernadine Akuoma Umunnakwe

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the relationship between lifestyles, household and household wastes, by exploring possible future development path for the lifestyle and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the relationship between lifestyles, household and household wastes, by exploring possible future development path for the lifestyle and the possible consequences for household waste composition. The study predicates on a reasonably simple and straightforward idea that the waste generated from homes is a product of the way the people live and since the way of life of people change overtime, getting an idea of how people may live in future may give an insight into the sorts of composition of waste produced by them. It tends to provide a contribution to the evidence base on household waste at a general level.

Design/methodology/approach

The overall approach hinged on the notion that the household is the appropriate analytical unit of household waste production composition. This specified inputs needed to develop scenarios for future waste composition. The weekly generation of sorted wastes from their various sources was determined by direct measurement in kilograms on a weighing scale. Questionnaires were administered to elicit information on key drivers and factors that influence lifestyles scenarios and their development. Interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders and government agencies on waste management.

Findings

The results indicated that food related waste constituted the major percentages and tonnages (44 percent, 269,870 tons) of household waste, while the least portion was glass (1.2 percent,7,278 tons). The key drivers responsible for generation of food waste include level of income, subsistence farming that generate organic food waste and rise in fast food outfits that give preference to readymade food over cooking at homes. The drivers for developing future scenarios include population, government regulations, nature of apartment, level of income, consumer spending, management technology. Three scenarios were developed: status quo trends, strong government and destination point.

Research limitations/implications

Models should be developed for better simulation studies of lifestyle scenarios by quantifying household wastes in terms of carbon footprint and money instead of relying on quantities generated in tons. Further studies should extend to other sources of waste such as industrial waste, electrical and electronic waste, among others. The implication from research findings shows the need for sustained for sustained awareness on people’s lifestyle with regard to handling of household wastes by government agencies, institutions and non-governmental organizations. Scenario planning is required to enable, encourage and engage householders to make changes in their lifestyles.

Practical implications

Food waste, by virtue of its tonnage and percentage composition, dominated the overall picture during the study period and will continue to do so in the near future. The composition of household waste in the future will be driven by the population and lifestyles of the householders. The drivers of lifestyles are crucial factors that determine the picture of the future. Furthermore, it is possible to conjecture circumstances in which household waste is converted to wealth at the destination point but the period before then imply some radical changes in both lifestyles and underlying economic growth facilitated by a strong political will.

Originality/value

This research could be of enormous benefit to policy makers, practitioners and others with an interest in or responsibility to the development and implementation of sustainable waste management. Scenarios are devices for enabling organizations and the individuals within them better to understand their operating environment, so as to make better decisions. This research is a scenario-planning exercise, considering how future changes in lifestyles of people in Port Harcourt metropolis now and in future may impact on the future composition of wastes they generate.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 November 2019

Gahana Gopal, Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Sharad Kale and Yogesh B. Patil

It is well known that sustainability is the ideal driving path of the entire world and renewable energy is the backbone of the ongoing initiatives. The current topic of argument…

Abstract

Purpose

It is well known that sustainability is the ideal driving path of the entire world and renewable energy is the backbone of the ongoing initiatives. The current topic of argument among the sustainability research community is on the wise selection of processes that will maximize yield and minimize emissions. The purpose of this paper is to outline different parameters and processes that impact the performance of biogas production plants through an extensive literature review. These include: comparison of biogas plant efficiency based on the use of a diverse range of feedstock; comparison of environmental impacts and its reasons during biogas production based on different feedstock and the processes followed in the management of digestate; analysis of the root cause of inefficiencies in the process of biogas production; factors affecting the energy efficiency of biogas plants based on the processes followed; and the best practices and the future research directions based on the existing life cycle assessment (LCA) studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a systematic literature review of research articles pertaining to LCA to understand in depth the current research and gaps, and to suggest future research directions.

Findings

Findings include the impact of the type of feedstock used on the efficiency of the biogas plants and the level of environmental emissions. Based on the analysis of literature pertaining to LCA, diverse factors causing emissions from biogas plants are enlisted. Similarly, the root causes of inefficiencies of biogas plants were also analyzed, which will further help researchers/professionals resolve such issues. Findings also include the limitations of existing research body and factors affecting the energy efficiency of biogas plants.

Research limitations/implications

This review is focused on articles published from 2006 to 2019 and is limited to the performance of biogas plants using LCA methodology.

Originality/value

Literature review showed that a majority of articles focused mainly on the efficiency of biogas plants. The novel and the original aspect of this review paper is that the authors, alongside efficiency, have considered other critical parameters such as environmental emission, energy usage, processes followed during anaerobic digestion and the impact of co-digestion of feed as well. The authors also provide solid scientific reasoning to the emission and inefficiencies of the biogas plants, which were rarely analyzed in the past.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2018

Johnbosco Emeka Umunnakwe, Ikem Ekweozor and Kelechi Thankgod Ezirim

The purpose of this paper is to show impacts of household wastes handling on some physicochemical parameters of surface water, soil, sediments and borehole water samples in Port…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show impacts of household wastes handling on some physicochemical parameters of surface water, soil, sediments and borehole water samples in Port Harcourt. Waste generated from the households are indiscriminately dumped on roads, stream channels, bush lands and open spaces thus defacing the landscape of the city, flooding and spreading vector-borne diseases. As a result there is unsustainable and wasteful utilisation of resources which gives rise to pollution of the environment. The research determines the pollution profile of some dumpsites, surface water bodies that act as recipients of household waste from result of analysis of physicochemical parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Major dumpsites in the city were selected for sampling. Three sampling stations at upstream, discharge point and downstream were selected for water and sediments. Water samples were collected in one-litre plastic containers, and then labelled and transported to laboratory for analysis. Sediment samples were collected at a depth of 5-10 m under water and preservation, handling and analysis were based on standard principles and procedures. Soil samples were dug with auger at both top (0-15 cm) and bottom (15-30 cm) in radial coordinates. The soil and sediment samples were first digested using the wet oxidation method before analysis with atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Findings

The physicochemical analysis of surface water samples showed that conductivity, salinity, turbidity, sulphate, phosphate, magnesium, total hardness and lead exceeded the World Health Organization and Nigerian Industrial Standard limits for drinking water qualities at the sampled areas. The same parameters in addition to pH and manganese also exceeded the limits for sediment samples. The soil pH showed acidity at the sampling stations for both top and bottom depths. Conductivity, sulphate, iron, manganese, phosphate and lead also exceeded the FMEnv Guidelines and standards for soil quality. The continuous discharge of household wastes on water and soil resulted in elevated levels of some measured parameters.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited by funds. The cost of sampling and analysis was enormous and limited the study to parameters that available funds could carry. This factor also stretched the period of study. The non-availability of sponsorship made it difficult to extend the research to soil particle size distribution and the underground water movement of the study areas. Another limitation was logistics as the study covered vast areas of the metropolis demanding steady means of mobility that was not available. Epileptic supply of power delayed the timely delivery of result of analysis.

Practical implications

The results of the analysed physicochemical parameters of water, sediments, soil and borehole water samples indicated spatial variations in their values at the study area, with higher values at the discharge points and downstream than the upstream, while for the borehole water analysis, the effect was more pronounced at stations with appreciable quantity of degradable household wastes. The levels of some physicochemical variables exceeded standard limits as a result of continuous discharge of household wastes .The implication is that household waste handling influenced the physicochemical variables negatively and constant monitoring serves as a useful tool of abatement.

Originality/value

This work is original and has not been published before in any book or journal article locally or internationally. The research related waste handling lifestyles with concentrations of measurable parameters, which is an additional work to what other authors have done. The value is that data generated will be a reference material to other researchers, city planners, government agencies and institutions that are involved with environmental management. Furthermore it has added a new dimension to the discipline of waste management in terms of scope and contribution to knowledge.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2021

Oxana Ostakh, Elena Uzyakova, Natalya Grechishcheva and Violetta Kusheeva

The purpose of this study is to determine the possibilities to use drill cuttings in soil formation processes on sandy substrates. The ecological and toxicological assessment of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the possibilities to use drill cuttings in soil formation processes on sandy substrates. The ecological and toxicological assessment of drill cuttings of various genesis and mixtures based on them is applied for the purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

Acute toxicity of mixtures consisting of various drill cuttings, sand and peat was estimated using soft wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum) using the eluate method. Subacute toxicity experiments were carried out using creeping trefoil (white clover) seeds (Trifolium repens), rye seeds (Secale cereale), and garden radish seeds (Raphanus sativus L.). Drill cuttings of the West Siberian oil-and-gas basin generated as a result of drilling on clay-polymer drilling fluids can be used as a component of soil-like mixtures in the reclamation of sand fills. Patterns of the selective stimulation of seed growth by components of drilling fluids (xanthate and bentonite) were revealed.

Findings

It was found that the addition of bentonite and xanthan (0.05% by weight of the cuttings each) reduces the suppression of seed growth occasioned salt content by 21.1% and 24.0%, respectively.

Originality/value

Soil degradation and desertification is a serious and widespread problem. The restoration of the fertile layer can be launched by application of the artificial soil-like mixtures based on drill cuttings of a certain origin to the disturbed lands.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

May Aung and Martha L. Arias

The purpose of the paper is to propose and examine with evidence from Ecuador a behavioral framework that helps understand environmental practices in a small rural community.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to propose and examine with evidence from Ecuador a behavioral framework that helps understand environmental practices in a small rural community.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is a multidisciplinary study that integrates ethnographic, feminist, and fourth generation approaches. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied.

Findings

Findings indicate a number of relevant determinant factors (social norms, personal norms, intention to act), moderating factors (knowledge of the issues, awareness of the consequences, knowledge of the strategies and action skills, assumption of the responsibilities), and socio‐demographic factors (gender and social class) that influence solid waste (garbage) management behavior in a small rural community in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Practical implications

This study recommends general public training for the stakeholders of this community taking into account gender and social class differences. The importance of generating role models in groups such as business owners and teachers to lead in waste management behavior is also suggested.

Originality/value

This study develops a behavioral framework with supporting empirical evidence from Ecuador that aids the understanding of environmental management practices of women and men from a small cohesive community

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

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