A systematic literature analysis of the nature and regional distribution of water pollution sources in Nigeria. (10th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ighalo, Joshua O.; Adeniyi, Adewale George; Adeniran, Jamiu A.; Ogunniyi, Samuel
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 283(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-10
• Subjects: Surface water -- Groundwater -- Rainwater -- Water quality -- Pollution sources -- Nigeria; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124566
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Water quality monitoring and assessment helps to determine the purity of water and how safe it is for use. This also guides environmental engineers in identifying the pollution sources and developing appropriate strategies in mitigating them. The aim of this study was to systematically analyse published literature to identify the interaction of the nature and regional distribution of pollution sources in Nigeria in the domain of surface water, groundwater, and rainwater quality. The scope of the analysis was on published literature on the subject in the last two decades. Regional distribution was observed to affect pollution sources for surface water, groundwater and rainwater in Nigeria as differences were observed in each geopolitical zone. Several research questions were raised which became the focus of the literature analysis. The major sources of surface water, groundwater and rainwater pollution in Nigeria were identified as industrial effluent (18% of research output), hydrogeology (25% of research output), and roof type (31%) respectively. Some 13% of surface water sources, 17% of groundwater sources and 8% of rainwater sources were adjudged to be clean based on World Health Organisation guidelines. The onus still falls on government related stakeholders, policy makers and industry based decision makers to instigate, develop and actualise sustainable waste management and water treatment approaches in the mitigation of water pollution in the country. The current study provides key information that could influence such decisions especially in view of the choice of process type for cleaner production that would cater for the specific needs of the various geopolitical zones. Highlights: A systematic literature analysis on water quality assessment in Nigeria was reported. Nature of pollution sources and its regional distribution were considered. There were major geo-political differences in pollution sources in each zone. Unique sources of pollution were identified for surface water, groundwater, and rainwater. The study provided key information that could influence of the choice of process type for cleaner production.