**11. Anthropogenic activities**

#### **11.1 Agriculture**

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people before the advent of crude-oil exploitation. Crude-oil exploitation results in conflicts and competition in the use of natural resources, which eventually leads to degradation of the environment. This affects the natural resources/livelihood (agriculture) of the host communities. Agriculture becomes less important in the polluted areas as it could not generate a reliable source of income for the communities. Fishing, Animal husbandry and Crop production are the major agricultural activities in the area. Agricultural wastes are discharged directly into the aquatic system [2].

#### **11.2 Solid waste and sewage**

The Ilajes (a dominant tribe in this region) are very enterprising people and one of the most dynamic in Nigeria. They are very good in aquatic skills and are able to adapt by conquering a harsh geographical environment, turning it to their advantage. Consequently, they were able to build communities like Ugbonla, Ayetoro, Zion Pepe, Awoye, Abereke, Araromi, Atijere, Ebute Ipare, Idiogba, Igbobi, Igbokoda, Igbolomi, Mahin, Mahintedo, Odun, Jirinwo, Odofado, Ago Nati, Ogogoro, Oloja, Ugbo, etc. The environment is dissected by several networks of river systems, which specifically make the coastal areas unfavorable for the development of road infrastructure that could serve as an engine for economic developments in the area. Many camps in the coastal area lack access to the hinterland except through hand-paddled canoes and some motorized boats. Some of these camps are directly on the Atlantic, especially where the tidal wave is relatively gentle. Therefore, all the communities in the area discharge their waste directly into the coast and the creeks.

#### **11.3 Oil exploration**

Oil exploration and exploitation started around 1977 by the then Gulf oil Company, presently called Chevron. This has metamorphosed into so many oil servicing and oil companies (such as; Express Petroleum and Gas Company/Conoco Energy Nigeria limited, Chevron-Texaco Nigeria limited, Global Pipeline, Consolidated Oil and Allied Energy, Agip Oil Nigeria Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Companies, etc) spreading vast installations and exploitation activities across the region [24]. The area is credited with about 14 oil fields, it contributes 12% of the country's crude oil production and reserves, with about 3.5 billion barrels of crude oil reserves.

The exploration, exploitation, and transportation of oil and gas in this region bring a serious problem with little or no economic development to the host communities by contributing a lot of pollutants to the ocean and the coastal zone. Some of these pollutants include spilling of hydrocarbons directly on the ocean and also those oil leakages from corroded pipelines, valves, production water effluents and ballast water discharges. Toxic chemicals from drilling fluids containing vessels and heavy metals (Vanadium, Plead, and Nickel) and other pollutants are being introduced from oil-field operations. All these pollutants are known to affect life forms [2].
