ByProf(Mrs) Kehinde Olayinka

Professor of Analytical/Environmental Chemistry, University of Lagos, Akoka

INTRODUCTION TO EADNTitle of Project: Equatorial Africa Deposition

Network (EADN)

Location:- 12 countries- Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo,. Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda

INTRODUCTION …….

Nigeria- proposed site is the Lagos Lagoon, NO6o E003o near the University of Lagos, Lagoon front.

Type of Project: Full Size Time Frame: Proposed 3-4years

Introduction…….. GEF grant: $1,865,000

Counterpart: $4,000,000

Total Project Cost: $5,865,000

Fund Released: None ( the money is with the implementing agency- UNEP)

Background ScienceAvailable data – atmospheric nutrient major

component of nutrients in African Great LakesNutrients – agricultural land, run off,

atmospheric pollution following biomass burning, wind erosion

Atmospheric nutrient deposition rates are high in Africa

Transport pathways, magnitude in aquatic and terrestrial not certain

Background Science contdScientists from several countries raised alarm

over increased phosphorus- induced pollution of our lakes, rivers and Lagoon.

There are no estimates of the regional atmospheric transport of Phosphorus within Tropical Africa.

Background ScienceEffect of Atmospheric deposition on climate

change to be considered.Agriculture is important in Africa, soil

degradation- rapid, resulting in loss of organic and nutrients

Loss of nutrients in soil affect agriculture and water quality

Phosphorus is present in various forms

Background ScienceData collected- useful to identify potential

source, mitigate the impacts of atmospheric nutrient transport.

Effect of nutrient pollutionA number of lakes and large rivers in the

continent will dry up if intervention measures are not taken.

Atmospheric Deposition in Equatorial Africa is ten times more than global average. The continued degradation of these waterways threatens the livelihood of 250 million Africans (more than 150 million are from Nigeria)

Effect of nutrient pollutionAtmospheric Deposition is finding its way into

the water masses contributing to high levels of pollution.

Poor farming methods like cutting of trees, burning of biomass release phosphorus.

Also the use of chemical fertilizers by farmers , dumping of sewage etc all contribute to phosphorus deposition

Effect of nutrient pollutionThe chemical- phosphorus provides nutrients

(Eutrophication) for water plants like water hyacinth, hippo grass etc which later decay.

The bacteria for decay take up almost all the oxygen in the surrounding water.

In the process, the bottom of the water body becomes inhabitable for the fish and other marine leading to fish kill.

OBJECTIVESTo monitor dry and wet atmospheric

deposition rates of Phosphorus, nitrogen and other chemical constituents at a number of sites in sub saharan Africa.

Emission rates of nutrients into the atmosphere to be quantified.

Sources of emission to be determined.Data to be used with remote sensing.EADN to work closely with Agricultural sector.

MethodologyProject – four components

Development of QA/QC planTrainingEstablishment & operation pf monitoring stationData collection, management, analysis &

modellingProject to be administered by Regional

Executive Secretariat(ACCESS, Kenya) with guidance fron Technical Committee (consultants- foreign)

BudgetProject Budget – 5.865million dollars36% from GEF64% as co- finance from operating agencies &

project patners

Outcome of projectEADN – address issues like natural resource

management & human healthEADN – impact of nutrients on aquatic

ecosystem (lakes & rivers)

Achievements so farRegional workshop held in Kisumu, Kenya

from 5th-9th December 2011.Technical papers given by invited speakers

and participants from each country.Some speakers gave overview of Deposition

networks in their own areas, experiences and results.

Oppourtunity to present the extent of work from Nigeria.

Achievements so farData of studies already carried out within the

Lagos metropolis, Lagos Lagoon and some rivers like the Odo iyaalaro, Ibeshe and Shasha were presented to International scientists.

Showed Nigeria’s capability to play a significant role in the network - especially in the siting of a Central Laboratory and handling samples from other stations

Achievements so far……(EADN Sampling stations)Consultants visited some sites and set up

monitoring equipments - East Africa. Sampling already started.

Proposed site- off the shore of the Lagos lagoon at the University of Lagos, plans to possibly include a site at Ibadan.

Choice of location- Logistics, closeness to Laboratory, safety of sampling equipments and megacity status (pollution).

Site- meet the requirements in the EADN program manual for monitoring atmospheric deposition of nutrients.

Achievements so far……(EADN Sampling stations)Preliminary work – using improvised

equipments for dry and wet deposition monitoring carried out at Agege, Mushin, Lekki, Ilasa and Ikorodu.

To give an overview of atmospheric nutrient pollution of Lagos.

Results show enhanced atmospheric nutrient levels.

Figure 1: Proposed Location for EADN Sampling Station

Figure 2: Proposed Location for EADN Sampling Station (off The Lagos Lagoon)

Achievements……Preliminary work – using improvised

equipments for dry and wet deposition monitoring were carried out at Agege, Mushin, Lekki, Ilasa and Ikorodu.

To give an overview of atmospheric nutrient pollution of Lagos.

Results show enhanced atmospheric nutrient levels in parts of Lagos.

Next stageMonitoring equipments etc to be

supplied by ACCESS.Sampling of wet and dry

Atmospheric deposits , analysis etc

Thank You