Effects of Water Pollution on Biodiversity Along the Coastal Regions

Abstract

Water is an indispensable resource and is the basis of all forms of life processes on earth. Its importance cannot be overemphasized as it is a key input in food production, which is essential for growth and metabolic processes and a major component of blood, which serves as the transport system in animals. Another significance of water is the safe habitat it provides for fish and other aquatic creatures. Conversely, its presence in the right quantity and quality is important for aquatic biodiversity conservation. As elaborated by the UN, SDG 14 emphasized the sustainability of ``life underwater'' by protecting them from all forms of pollutants most especially from land-based anthropogenic activities which may find their way either directly or indirectly into the receiving water bodies. The coastal regions, most especially the Niger Delta regions are rich in mangroves, finfish and shellfish resources such as the Penaeids, Macrobranchium spp., Pseudotolithus elongatus, Sardinella maderensis, Elops lacera, Mugil cephalus, etc. which may be endangered due to the exploration from the huge deposits of crude oil and other threatening anthropogenic activities. Based on these available resources, several conflicts may arise which has led to various changes in the environment. Hence, intense activities coupled with lack of monitoring and environmental impact assessment procedures due to insecurity have caused huge environmental destruction to their landscape and agricultural lands and reduced economic returns of natives who depend on the water as a source of livelihood. Developing and developed countries carry out environmental impact assessment which gives insight into the effects and threats of anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment. This will serve as a guide for prompt and right actions towards preserving the ecosystem and most especially the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. To this end, this paper highlights the anthropogenic activities along the coastal regions and management procedures that can be tailored towards biodiversity conservation in coastal regions as elaborated by SDG 2 (Zero hunger).