Thesis Abstract

Facing up to freshwater pollution is a critical global challenge that requires urgent attention and effective solutions. This research project aims to investigate the sources, impacts, and management strategies of freshwater pollution to provide valuable insights for sustainable water quality management. The sources of freshwater pollution are diverse and include both point and non-point sources. Point sources refer to direct discharge of pollutants from identifiable sources such as industrial facilities and wastewater treatment plants, while non-point sources are diffuse inputs from urban runoff, agricultural activities, and atmospheric deposition. Understanding the contributions of these sources is essential for developing targeted pollution control measures. Freshwater pollution has significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems, human health, and socio-economic activities. Nutrient pollution, primarily from agricultural runoff and wastewater discharges, can lead to eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and oxygen depletion in water bodies. Chemical pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals pose risks to aquatic organisms and human health through bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain. Addressing these impacts requires a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of environmental and human systems. Effective management of freshwater pollution involves a combination of regulatory measures, technological innovations, and stakeholder engagement. Regulatory frameworks play a crucial role in setting water quality standards, monitoring compliance, and enforcing pollution control measures. Technological solutions, including advanced wastewater treatment technologies, green infrastructure practices, and precision agriculture techniques, can help reduce pollutant loads and improve water quality. Engaging stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, local communities, and non-governmental organizations, is essential for promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge exchange, and fostering collective action towards pollution prevention and remediation. In conclusion, addressing freshwater pollution requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates scientific research, policy development, and community engagement. By identifying the sources, understanding the impacts, and implementing effective management strategies, we can work towards safeguarding the health and integrity of freshwater ecosystems for current and future generations. This research project contributes to the growing body of knowledge on freshwater pollution and provides practical insights for sustainable water resource management.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

THE STATE OF FRESHWATER IN NIGERIA resembles A Tale of Two Cities. It is the best of times in that, in the latter portion of the 20th century, we reversed the general disregard for water bodies. Our nation rallied in the face of flammable rivers, water bodies used as dumps for industrial waste and municipal sewage, and wetland losses of approximately 450,000 acres per year.

Waterways are significantly healthier today because a previous generation of leaders had the vision and commitment to insist upon it. But it is the worst of times in that progress today has essentially plateaued far short of the national goal, stated in the very first section of the 1974 Clean Water Act, of having fishable and swimmable waters. The law’s goal of eliminating pollution discharges has, moreover, been reduced to a fantasy of a bygone era.

There are numerous, ominous signs of complacency. The U.S. continues to rely upon technologies developed decades ago, or, in the case of wastewater treatment, almost 100 years ago. We have let our sewer systems fall into disrepair, allowing raw and partially treated sewage to flow into waterways because it never reaches the plant for treatment. At our current rate of investment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has projected that sewage pollution will be as high in 2025 as it was in 1968, before the passage of the Clean Water Act.