Jennifer Zheng
Abstract
The article delves into the overlooked long-term repercussions of oil spills on water ecosystems, particularly focusing on microbial communities and environmental recovery post-disasters. Highlighting five major US oil spills, it unveils how crude oil's enduring effects persist well beyond initial cleanup, ...
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The article delves into the overlooked long-term repercussions of oil spills on water ecosystems, particularly focusing on microbial communities and environmental recovery post-disasters. Highlighting five major US oil spills, it unveils how crude oil's enduring effects persist well beyond initial cleanup, impacting microbial foundations crucial for ecosystem health. As global energy demands surge, petroleum remains a primary source, emphasizing the dire environmental consequences of spills during transportation. While immediate impacts on species are extensively studied, the report probes into the extended aftermath, spotlighting the harm to marine phytoplankton—essential for Earth's carbon cycle.Revelations from disasters like the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon unveil remnants of crude oil that endure for decades, undermining microbial communities and hindering ecosystem revival. Such residues, trapped in sediments, disrupt oxygen and nutrient levels, impeding microbial degradation and slowing removal rates. Harmful algae blooms proliferate, disrupting ecosystems and posing risks to marine life and human health. The article emphasizes the cyclical harm: oil's persistence weakens beneficial microbes, exacerbating future damage from subsequent stressors.Examining compounded environmental disasters showcases the lasting impact on coastlines, with shoreline retreat and marsh ecosystem losses doubling post-spill. Such crises, examined through the lens of Hurricane Katrina's legacy, amplify erosion rates, permanently altering recovery baselines. The article underscores the need for intervention strategies, emphasizing the importance of replenishing microbial communities and reevaluating recovery tactics post-spills. It advocates for a shift towards cleaner energy sources to mitigate further harm to water ecosystems.
David Mugendi Kariuki
Abstract
Underground water baseline studies are very instrumental in the provision of data for inventories that would play a critical role in conservation assessments and for future development project monitoring.This study was conducted in Turkana County.The main objectives of this study were to enhance the ...
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Underground water baseline studies are very instrumental in the provision of data for inventories that would play a critical role in conservation assessments and for future development project monitoring.This study was conducted in Turkana County.The main objectives of this study were to enhance the current knowledge and understanding of the water quality of the community boreholes,establish its portability, and provide baseline data that will be very useful to the water quality monitoring agencies. Water samples were collected from randomly selected boreholes in Turkana South Sub-county using fixed volume purge and sample technique and both field measurement and laboratory analysis by use of an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer were used in analysis of selected heavy metals. The sampled boreholes were Sale-yard, Nakukulus, ACS and Lokichanda boreholes. The study established that the levels of heavy metals such as Copper, Magnesium, Barium and Lead were all below the recommended levels by WHO. However, the levels of Iron and Nickel which were above the World Health Organization of 0.3mg/L and 0.2mg/L in the four community boreholes with recordings of (1.17ppm,1.5ppm,0.39ppm,0.3ppm) and (0.27ppm,0.63ppm,0.58ppm,0.37ppm) respectively. In addition, the Turbidity and TDS levels were also above the WHO-recommended levels of 5 NTU and <1000 ppm respectively. The Turbidity readings for the four boreholes were (6,6.3,5.5,4.9) NTUs respectively. The TDS levels for the four boreholes respectively were (1060,1020,1473,1025) ppm which were all above the WHO standard levels. There is a need to treat this water before consumption and perpetually monitor its quality to ensure the safety of the locals.