Impact of urbanization on mangrove wetland at Eagle Island, Rivers State, Nigeria

Urbanization has destroyed wetlands globally, and in the Niger Delta area surge in human population has led to increased encroachment into wetlands area resulting in habitat destruction. This research aims to determine the impact of urbanization on selected wetland areas at Eagle Island, Rivers State. The study was carried out between April 2023 and January 2024. Physico-chemical parameters were assessed using standard procedures. The results of the water quality assessment show the range of temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH to be within acceptable limits for tropical waters as recommended by WHO, while others, including total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity (µS/cm), were not within acceptable limit as stipulated by WHO. The mean concentration of heavy metals, nitrates, and phosphate in surface water was within the NUPRC permissible limits. The mean concentrations of cadmium, chromium, and lead in sediment were higher than the NUPRC permissible limits, while nickel, iron, nitrate, and phosphate were within the NUPRC permissible limits. The concentration of metals in surface water were: Cd= 0.014 µg/l, Cr = 0.219 µg/l, Ni = 0.651 µg/l, Pb = 0.160 µg/l, Fe = 1.881 µg/l, in the order of Fe>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The result implies that there is a gradual deterioration of environmental quality as a result of human-mediated activities. The soil and water quality in wetland areas are facing degradation because of the unprotected intrusion of private individuals and organizations who enter to carry out the sand filling, swamp reclamation, and construction activities, leading to the loss of wetlands and river systems.