The Niger, Africa’s third-longest river after the Nile and Congo, is a vital lifeline for millions of people.
A recent study by Nigerian scientists has revealed alarming levels of radioactive contamination and hazardous chemicals in the Niger Delta’s coastal areas. Analysis of water and fish samples showed that uranium and thorium levels were four times higher than the global average, while background gamma radiation was nearly twice the safe limit.
236300403.pdf (1.1 MB)
These substances, potentially released during oil spills and gas flaring, contribute to the region’s air and water pollution.
The research also identified harmful chemicals, including lead, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, in both the water and fish tissue. These substances, potentially released during oil spills and gas flaring, contribute to the region’s air and water pollution.
Researchers are urging Nigerian authorities to take immediate action to clean up the Niger Delta. They’ve also warned local communities about the risks of consuming contaminated water and fish.
By 2010, between 9 million and 13 million barrels were estimated to have been spilt in the Niger Delta since 1958. From 1976 to 2018, a total of 17,301 spills occurred, dumping nearly three million barrels of oil into the environment.
[…]
The likely causes include oil corporations’ activities like gas flaring and oil spills. Sadly, this particular incident was not tackled despite protests by the citizens.Nigeria’s Niger delta biohazards – high radioactive levels detected in new study