Environmental Impacts of the Lemna Dumpsite (Calabar, Nigeria): Surface Water, Air Quality, and Community Health

Authors

  • Elizabeth Akpanke Odey

    Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Miebaka Nabiebu

    Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Eni Eja Alobo

    Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel E. Etta

    Department of Philosophy, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Essien Udoaka Edem

    Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Columba Apeh Apeh

    Department of Theatre and Media Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • John Edor Edor

    Department of Philosophy, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Gabriel Etim-Ben Inyang

     Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Ikike I. Ufford

    Department of Theatre and Media Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Okah Inah Ebin

    Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Godwin Michael Effiom

    Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Henry Juah ThankGod

    Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Iorparegh Aer

    Integrated Science Department, Federal College of Education, Obudu 543101, Nigeria
  • Alex Abang Edu

    Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria
  • Gabriel Bubu Ncha

    Department of Philosophy, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i3.11515
Received: 7 August 2025 | Revised: 2 September 2025 | Accepted: 10 December 2025 | Published Online: 15 May 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the environmental impact of the Lemna dumpsite located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, focusing on its effects on water quality, air quality, and public health. The research problem addresses the growing concerns about the contamination of the environment and its associated health risks due to improper waste management at the Lemna dumpsite. The study employs a quantitative method, involving a combination of field measurements, laboratory analyses, and survey data collection from 400 respondents living in proximity to the dumpsite. The study covered a small temporal coverage of 4 weeks (n = 4). Water quality parameters such as Colour, Lead, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and pH were assessed, with results indicating significant deviations from the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, highlighting severe contamination in surrounding water bodies. Air quality measurements revealed hazardous levels of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2), with readings far exceeding acceptable thresholds, signaling significant air pollution due to waste burning activities at the dumpsite. A paired samples t-test revealed substantial differences in physico-chemical and bacteriological water quality parameters between the Lemna dumpsite and a control site along the Calabar River. The study also examined the health implications for residents, finding a strong correlation between proximity to the dumpsite and the prevalence of respiratory conditions such as frequent coughing, asthma, and breathing difficulties.

Keywords:

Environment; Dumpsite; Pollution; Health Challenge; Erosion

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How to Cite

Odey, E. A., Nabiebu, M., Alobo, E. E., Etta, E. E., Edem, E. U., Apeh, C. A., Edor, J. E., Inyang, G. E.-B., Ufford, I. I., Ebin, O. I., Effiom, G. M., ThankGod, H. J., Aer, I., Edu, A. A., & Ncha, G. B. (2026). Environmental Impacts of the Lemna Dumpsite (Calabar, Nigeria): Surface Water, Air Quality, and Community Health. Research in Ecology, 8(3), 113–135. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i3.11515

Issue

Vol.8, Iss.3 (June 2026)(In Progress)

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Article

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Copyright © 2026 Elizabeth Akpanke Odey, Miebaka Nabiebu, Eni Eja Alobo, Emmanuel E. Etta, Essien Udoaka Edem, Columba Apeh Apeh, John Edor Edor, Gabriel Etim-Ben Inyang, Ikike I. Ufford, Okah Inah Ebin, Godwin Michael Effiom, Henry Juah ThankGod, Iorparegh Aer, Alex Abang Edu, Gabriel Bubu Ncha

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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