Geo-spatial analysis of oil spill distribution and susceptibility in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Type Journal Article - Journal of Geographic Information System
Title Geo-spatial analysis of oil spill distribution and susceptibility in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 8
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Page numbers 438-456
URL http://file.scirp.org/pdf/JGIS_2016072617242255.pdf
Abstract
Oil spill occurrence during exploration, production and distribution can cause deleterious impact
on the environment. Contamination of local streams/rivers, farmlands, forest resources and biodiversity
in oil producing areas presents strong significant possibility of significant harm to human
health. Geo-information technologies present new opportunities for assessing stress environment
and ways of determining exposure susceptibility in such areas. The study assesses the
geographical distribution of oil-spills cluster and pattern using three geospatial techniques with
ground data at 443 oil-spill incident sites from 1985-2008. The places with high (high-volume/
large impact/close proximity to communities) and low incident (low-volume/less impact/fardistance)
are related to the quantity of oil-spills identified within those communities considered
susceptible to spill impact and possible exposure. While the average nearest neighborhood analysis
showed a probability that oil-spill distribution in the area is clustered (ratio < 1 with index
value 0.19), the Getis-Ord General G test indicated that the oil-spill with high quantities (volume)
discharge are significantly clustered within every 400 m. The Moran’s I index indicted that there is
<1% likelihood that the clusters are as a result of random chance. These findings will help to
combat the environmental problems and risks of prolong exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons by
addressing future incidents or relocating oil facilities/communities and positioning of rapid response
strategies.

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