AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF SIERRA LEONE

Case study: Coast of Freetown

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF

SIERRA LEONE
Case study: Coast of Freetown

By: Alpha Umar Jalloh; B.Eng.

January 2020.

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 AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF SIERRA LEONE

Case study: Coast of Freetown

1.0 Abstract
This research shows the impacts of marine pollution on the marine ecosystem. It analyses the
factors that are responsible for deterioration of the ecosystem and suggests suitable corrective
measures. Around the world, marine ecosystems are being threatened, degraded, and
destroyed by human activities, one of which is pollution. The rapid growth of the human
population and the numerous urban and coastal development in many of the world's coastal
regions have caused considerable concern that anthropogenic pollution may reduce
biodiversity and productivity of marine ecosystems, resulting in reduction and depletion of
human marine food resources.
In addition, pollution reduces the aesthetic value and the essential value of the marine
ecosystem, whether the pollution is visible (such as oil spillage and debris) or invisible (such as
dissolved chemical compounds). The recent pictures coming out of the oil spills off the Gulf of
Mexico in the United States and the container tanker collision off the Mumbai coast are vivid
examples. Another main reason for concern about marine pollution is related to the direct
effects of pollution on human health. Because many pollutants accumulate in marine
organisms, humans are exposed to pollutants when they consume food from polluted areas.
Marine pollution occurs when harmful elements enter the water masses and potentially cause
the spread of harmful organisms, diseases and can turn water quality harmful.
Most sources of marine pollution are land based, such as windblown debris, industrial/domestic
pollutants discharged and potential spillovers from freight/bulk ocean carriers. When toxins are
concentrated upward within the ocean food chain, many elements combine in a manner highly
depletive of oxygen, causing estuaries to become anoxic. As these materials are incorporated
into the marine ecosystem, they quickly become absorbed into marine food webs causing
mutations and diseases which can be harmful to human beings.

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Marine pollution occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful, effects result from the entry into
the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural and residential waste, noise, or the
spread of invasive organisms. Eighty percent of marine pollution comes from land. Air pollution
is also a contributing factor by carrying off pesticides or dirt into the ocean. Land and air
pollution have proven to be harmful to marine life and its habitats.
The pollution often comes from non-point sources such as agricultural runoff, wind-blown
debris and dust. Nutrient pollution, a form of water pollution, refers to contamination by
excessive inputs of nutrients. It is a primary cause of eutrophication of surface waters, in which
excess nutrients, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, stimulate algae growth.

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 AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF SIERRA LEONE

Case study: Coast of Freetown

Many potentially toxic chemicals adhere to tiny particles which are then taken up by plankton
and benthos animals, most of which are either deposit or filter feeders. In this way, the toxins
are concentrated upward within ocean food chains. Many particles combine chemically in a
manner highly depletive of oxygen, causing estuaries to become anoxic.
When pesticides are incorporated into the marine ecosystem, they quickly become absorbed
into marine food webs. Once in the food webs, these pesticides can cause mutations, as well as
diseases, which can be harmful to humans as well as the entire food web.

2.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The degradation problem of the marine ecosystem is mainly caused by oil spillage, gas flaring,
exploitation and lifting. This introduces harmful substances into the marine ecosystem which
have caused the destruction of the aquatic life of the coast of Freetown.
Ironically, this problem has never been given adequate national attention. Unhealthful
practices of ships engaged in coastal trade in the coast of Freetown such as sewage disposal at
sea, introduction of hazardous substances into sea, chemical fishing activities and even
abandonment of wrecks has equally constituted a serious problem of marine ecosystem
pollution.

2.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Freetown and many other areas of the country depend a lot on the environment for its living and
any adverse alteration of the environment will affect adversely the living pattern and standard
of the people.

A study on the evaluation of marine pollution and the effects Sierra Leone is therefore significant
because it will alert maritime practitioners on the need to protect the marine ecosystem from
hazardous effects of environmental pollution. Furthermore, the study will enlighten the
government on the need to save the region from the problems caused by oil spillage in the area
to attract interest to the need for the preservation of the region’s traditional occupation of fish
farming.

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 AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF SIERRA LEONE

Case study: Coast of Freetown

3.0 Objectives of the study

Specific objectives of the study are:

I. To analyze the impacts of pollution on the marine ecosystem of Sierra Leone.

II. To examine the effect of marine pollution on the community of living organisms in the
Coast of Freetown.
III. To identify the factors causing marine pollution.

3.1 Research questions

During the study, the author seeks to provide suitable answers to the following questions
below:

1. What are the impacts of pollution on the marine ecosystem of Sierra Leone?
2. What are the effects of marine pollution on the community of living organisms in the
Coast of Freetown?
3. What are the factors responsible for marine pollution?
4. How can we mitigate the effects of marine pollution in Sierra Leone?

4.0 Research Methodology

Concerning methodology for this study is the analytical method. The major instrument used for
this study is the questionnaire. The questionnaire was structured in a five-like scale measuring
attitude of Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Undecided, Disagree and Strongly Disagreed.

The surveys research method was also considered appropriate because survey design generally
can be used to effectively investigate problems in realistic settings.

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 AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF SIERRA LEONE

Case study: Coast of Freetown

5.0 Conclusion
The study will bring out the factors that are responsible for marine pollution and will highlight
the effects. It will explain the geographical layout, highlights the pressure of population,
dependence of coastal communities, and pathetic condition of ports, the river water bodies and
how polluted water reaches the sea. It will also emphasize on the emergence of slums along the
banks of the river bodies along the coast of Freetown.
It will also draw attention on the excessive port and harbor activities, the poor infrastructure,
bad planning by the state in maintaining and preventing damage. This study will emphasize how
public and private participation can lead to a sustainable marine ecosystem, and how we can
conserve, preserve and protect the precious marine resources.

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 AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM OF SIERRA LEONE

Case study: Coast of Freetown

6.0 References

1. A. Duraisamy and S. Latha - Impact of pollution on marine environment -A case

study of coastal Chennai, Department of Economics, Madras Christian College,
Chennai, India. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol. 4 issue 3 (March
2011). Pg. 259
2. Ayoola, T.J. “Gas flaring and its implication for environmental accounting in
Nigeria,” Journal of Sustainable Development 244-250. 2011.
3. Manby, B. The price of oil: corporate responsibility and human rights violations in
Nigeria's oil producing communities. Human Rights Watch, New York. 1999. 202.
4. "Shell And The N15bn Oil Spill Judgement Debt". The Daily Independent (Lagos).
2010-07-19. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
5. Ubani, E. C. and Onyejekwe, I. M.: Environmental impact analysis of gas flaring in
the Niger delta region of Nigeria,” American J. of Scientific and industrial Research.
4(2). 246-252. 2013
6. Imevbore, A. A. and Adeyemi, S.A. “Environmental monitoring in relation to
pollution and control of oil pollution. “Seminar on the petroleum industry and the
Nigerian environment. 6. 135-142. 1981.

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