Fuzzy logic-based modeling of the impact of industrial activities on the environmental status of an industrial estate in Nigeria

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Date
2011-12
Authors
Agunbiade, F.O.
Awe, A.A.
Adebowale, K.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
Industrial growth is being attributed with adverse environmental effects and has necessitated stricter environmental management policies. Formulating such policies is limited by the difficulty in understanding the trends of monitoring data. This study is aimed at the application of fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA) to integrate environmental contaminants in Agbara industrial estate, Nigeria, to measure the extent of impact of industrial activities on the host community. Samples of water, plants (Pteridium aquilinum, Sacciolepis africana, and Panicum maximum), soil, and sediments were collected within the estate. Water samples were analyzed for quality parameters using standard methods. Metals (Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Mn) were investigated in all the samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data were modeled with FCA. The results showed Cr as the major contaminant (34–252 mgL1 ). High phosphate contributed to large plant growth in the area. FCA results showed that water samples were in the pristine classification; sediment samples were extremely impacted. The vegetation growth and the sediment precipitation were responsible for the cleaning-up of the pollutants discharged downstream. The FCA of the plants indicated high metal bioaccumulation and not only showed the plants’ phyto-remediation potential but also that the metals may pose threats to human health through the food web. The activities in the estate are contributing contaminants to the environment with potential negative effects.
Description
Keywords
fuzzy comprehensive assessment , industrial activities , biomonitoring , modeling , environment , health
Citation
Agunbiade, F. O., Awe, A. A., & Adebowale, K. O. (2011). Fuzzy logic-based modeling of the impact of industrial activities on the environmental status of an industrial estate in Nigeria. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 93(10), 1856-1879.