EFFECTS OF GAS FLARING FROM WARRI REFINNING AND PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY ON PLANT DIVERSITY IN UBEJI, WARRI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER DELTA
Keywords:
Pollution, Gas flaring, Plant diversity, Niger DeltaAbstract
This research investigated the effects of gas flaring from the Warn Refining and Petrochemical Company on the diversity of plants in Ubeji, Warn South Local Government Area of Delta State. 1m x 1m plots were laid in each of the two (2) sites, replicated three (3) times to make a total of six (6) plots in all. The plants in all the sites were grouped into three (3) growth forms (trees, shrubs and herbs) which are evaluated using line transect method. The data were analyzed using student t test and the biodiversity index was calculated using Shannon Weiner method. The result showed that the population density and biodiversity index of the plant composition in the control site are more than that of the flare site from all the growth forms assessed due to combustion of fossil fuel and the heat generated from the flaring site. The mean of the plant species at the flare site is 214.00 and the control site is 335.00. The standard deviation for the flare site is 0.29 and that of the control site is 0.48. The paired sample t test correlation ôoefficient showed that there is strongly positive correlation efficient of 0.08 between plant diversity at the flare site and those at the control site. Moreover, from the above analysis, it is concluded that there is statistically significant difference between plant species in the flare site and the control site (p<O.05) due to gas flaring that kills and inhibit the growth of plants in the flare site. It is advisable that the government enact laws against flaring and pollution from industries, especially refining and petrochemical industries. Rather than flaring, gas should be harnessed for use as liquefied natural gas. Government and NGOs should also embark on a serious affore station programme in this area of study
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