Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Bonny
River
Andoni
New
Calabar
River
Bonny
Estuar
Fig. 3
Map showing Bonny estuary and adjoining river systems
exotic plant species) that is displacing the mangroves along
the estuaries and creeks. Other plant species that occur in the
area are the grass, Paspalum sp., the fern, Acrostichum sp.,
and shrubs, Ipomoea sp. The estuary maintains exceptionally
high levels of biological productivity and plays important
ecological roles of exporting nutrients and providing habitat
for aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates. It is also a breed-
ing/nursery ground for aquatic resources.
Ogu Creek and the Bonny Crude-oil Tank farm, the Eleme
Petro chemical plant and other oil- and gas-related instal-
lations. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant is also located
at the mouth of the Bonny River.
Cross River (Calabar) Estuary
Setting and Morphology
Socio-Economic Activities and Infrastructures
Located on Nigeria's south-eastern frontier, the Cross River
landscape descends precipitously from the Oban Obudu
rugged foothills (1,000-2,000 m) of the Cameroun Moun-
tains on the east, into the Cross River plains (30 m) to the
west. The Cross River estuary lies in the eastern extremity
of Nigeria and is the largest along the coast (Fig.
4
). It has a
maximum width of about 25 km at the mouth and narrows
northwards to the port of Calabar. Off the mouth of the
estuary are several shoals of sandbars like the Tom shot
banks. Geologically, the Cross River estuary is a delta of its
own, totally independent of the Niger Delta. The Cross
River, with a catchment area of 53,590 km
2
, delivers more
sediment load to the coast than the present Niger Benue
The Bonny estuary is one of the most environmentally
stressed areas in the Niger Delta due to shipping activities
associated with four port complexes (Port Harcourt, Onne,
Okrika and Bonny) and other boat landings such as Buguma
which services oil and gas production. Several oil fields are
located in and around the Bonny estuary, including: Orubiri
field on Primrose Creek, Onne fields on Ogu Creek; Bomu,
Bodo and Bonny fields on the eastern part of Bonny estuary.
Also located within the river system are the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum
Refinery plant near Okrika, the NAFCON fertilizer plant on
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