Baseline Analysis of the Western Andoni Coastline Beaches in the Niger Delta Region

Abstract

Gross geosciences parameters were used to evaluate the sensitivity attributes of the sandy beaches of the coastal zone of the western Andoni area of the Niger Delta region for sedimentological characteristics, micropaleontological attributes, and physiochemical parameters of the adjoining coastal water quality. Grain morphometry and composition are indicative of predominantly multicycle arenites, while spatial distribution model suggests dominant eastward flow of the depositing coastal currents. The heavy mineral assemblage is indicative of source derivation from continental terrains. Micropaleontological attributes are suggestive of non-marine to middle neritic depo-environemnt of Pliocene-Holocene age. Significant wave action on the beach sands at the intertidal channels and shoreline, and the wide spatial remains of flora relics confirm extensive beach erosion. Pollution index parameters, including biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen, show that the western Andoni coastal waters are highly polluted by anthropogenic activities. Gross pollution index parameters indicate that the study area requires purpose-driven environmental management plan towards sustainable protection of the coastal environment from degradation that may occasioned by current and up-coming interest in industry sector-related anthropogenic activities.

Keywords: Compositional, textural, heavy mineral, biogenic and sedimentary structures, water quality index