Oil Pollution and Eastern Obolo Human Ecology, 1957-2007

Abstract

Human ecology concerns the relationship between man and his environment (Onosode 1998). In the environment are other organ isms of flora and fauna whose importance to human beings need not be overst ated. The occurrence of oil pollution in the Eastern Obolo ecosystem did not only degrade the human values but also deny the people of other orga nisms used by them to maintain and promote their living. As a result, thi s paper is a study of how oil pollution damaged Eastern Obolo (Andoni) human ecol ogy. The paper started with the causes which are the exploration a nd exploitation of petroleum for half a century. It also analyzes the processes of extracting crude oil through which pollution emanates. The adv erse effects on the flora and fauna, traditional economies and social practic es of the people are parts of the text of this essay. So also are its engender ed poverty, food contamination and lack of security of human life. O thers are the desecration of religious, cultural and historical centres, loss of potential archaeological sites, decay in social values, increase of social v ices and the health hazards experienced in the area within the period under rev iew.