ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF GAS FLARING FROM THE KADUNA REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY (KRPC) ON FLORISTIC DIVERSITY IN KADUNA NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA ECO-REGION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Ecological   impact of gas flaring from Kaduna refinery and petrochemical industry on floristic composition in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savanna Eco-region of Nigeria where data on upshot of gas flaring on floristic diversity are limited was studied. A total of six (6) plots of 50m x 50m replicated three (3) times were laid in each of the two (2) sites, the plants in all the sites were grouped into four (4) growth forms (trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses) which are evaluated using line transect method. The data were analyzed using student ‘t’ test and biodiversity index was calculated using Shannon Weiner method. The results showed that the population density and biodiversity index of the plant composition in the control site are more than that of the flare site from all the growth forms assessed due to combustion of fossil fuel and the heat generated from the flaring site. The mean of the plant species at the flare site is 663.00 and the control site is 1495.00. The standard deviation for the flare site is 4.32 and that of the control site is 2.51. The paired sample ‘t’ test correlation coefficient showed that there is strongly positive correlation efficient of 0.86 between plant diversity at the flare site and those at the control site. However, from the above analysis, it is concluded that there is statistically significant difference between plant species in the flare site and the control site (p<0.05) due to gas flaring that kills and suppress the growth of plants in the flare site. It is recommended that gas should be harnessed for use as liquefied natural gas. Government and NGOs should embark on an aggressive afforestation programme. Government should also enforce law against flaring, major industrial polluters and monitor their compliance with laid down standard.

Key Words: Ecology Impact, Kaduna Refinery, Northern Guinea Savanna, Floristic diversity

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