Bronte Wells
The University of Lagos, also known as UNILAG, offers a Master's degree in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management. The program is housed in the Department of Zoology within the Faculty of Science. The program focuses on the environmental changes brought on by human activity and pollutants, with specific research interests in aquatic ecosystems and the impact of pollutants on human health. Candidates for the program should have a strong academic background in fields related to the environment, such as Environmental Management, Forestry, Wildlife, and Agriculture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Department | Zoology |
| Faculty | Science |
| Campus | Akoka Campus, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Supervisors | Dr Temitope O. Sogbanmu, Prof. Adebayo A. Otitoloju |
| Requirements | Masters degree in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management, Fisheries, Environmental Sciences, Marine Sciences, Geography or any other related fields with a CGPA of 3.5/5.0 and above |
| Courses | MSc Environmental Chemistry, MSc Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management |
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What You'll Learn
Environmental risk assessment in fish
The Department of Zoology at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, offers a course in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management. The course focuses on the environmental changes brought on by human activity and pollutants, and how they affect aquatic life, specifically fish species.
The health and sustainability of fisheries are crucial to the coastal population's subsistence in Nigeria. Therefore, environmental risk assessment in fish is a critical area of study. Risk assessments can help identify the main challenges and risks to fish species and their habitats.
For instance, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) has conducted an annual risk assessment of Norwegian aquaculture since 2011, which has helped identify risks to local fishermen and the salmon industry. Similarly, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in the US used an ecosystem risk assessment to understand the risks to summer flounder stocks, which helped prioritize management actions.
Another example is the Ecological Risk Assessment for the Effects of Fishing (ERAEF) framework, which has been applied to over 30 fisheries in Australia and elsewhere. This framework helps assess the ecological risk to species and habitats and has resulted in management actions for high-risk species.
Personal care products (PCPs) are also an emerging pollutant, and their acute toxicity has been studied in African sharptooth catfish. Furthermore, the University of Lagos's research has evaluated the impact of sawmill wastes on oxidative stress in Guinean Tilapia and Blue Crab.
Overall, environmental risk assessments in fish are vital to understanding the potential consequences of human activities and pollutants on aquatic ecosystems and developing sustainable practices to ensure the health and longevity of fisheries and the communities that depend on them.
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Air pollution and climate change
Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management is a course offered by the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, at the University of Lagos. The course addresses the critical and growing issue of air pollution and its impact on climate change.
Air pollution is a significant environmental concern, with far-reaching consequences for human health and the planet. It is caused by the emission of toxic gases and particles, with transport, the power sector, industrial emissions, agriculture, crop burning, and residential heating being the primary sources. These same sources are also major contributors to climate change, as they release high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide.
Climate change further exacerbates air quality issues. For example, hot sunny days associated with a warming climate can increase ground-level ozone, a harmful greenhouse gas. Climate change also leads to more frequent and severe extreme weather events, including wildfires, which produce smoke that lowers air quality. Additionally, climate-driven changes in precipitation and temperature can increase indoor exposure to pollutants like mould, dust mites, and bacteria.
The impacts of air pollution and climate change are felt across ecosystems and human communities. Air pollution contributes to respiratory and heart diseases, while climate change affects food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity. For instance, the coastal states of Nigeria spanning Calabar to Badagry are experiencing the dual challenges of climate change impacts and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, threatening the subsistence of the coastal population that depends on fisheries.
Addressing air pollution is crucial for mitigating climate change and improving public health. Policies and initiatives that reduce air pollution can simultaneously offer "win-win" benefits for both climate and health outcomes. This includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving public transport, and reducing industrial and agricultural emissions.
The University of Lagos's Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management course equips students with the knowledge and skills to address these interconnected challenges, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions that protect the environment and human well-being.
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Water pollution and treatment
Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses risks to both the environment and human health. The University of Lagos, also known as Unilag, offers a Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management, which is housed within the Department of Zoology in the Faculty of Science. This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to address water pollution and its treatment.
Water pollution arises from various sources, including incorrect sewage disposal, fast urban development, and stormwater runoff. Rainwater in urban and agricultural areas can pick up debris, chemicals, and nutrients, contaminating surface water. This contaminated water, known as wastewater, contains a range of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. Common contaminants include complex organic materials, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, pathogenic organisms, microplastics, sediments, and radioactive substances.
The treatment of water pollution is essential to mitigate its negative impacts. Wastewater treatment facilities employ physical, chemical, and biological processes to purify water. These processes can be categorised as preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary. Pretreatment of industrial wastewater is often necessary to prevent toxic chemicals from interfering with biological processes at treatment plants. Sensors, such as pH sensors, conductivity sensors, and oxidation reduction potential sensors, are used to ensure that contaminants are effectively removed before treated water is released back into the environment.
The University of Lagos's MSc programme in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management addresses these issues by offering courses such as M.Sc. Environmental Chemistry and M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry. These courses provide students with a strong foundation in chemistry, which is crucial for understanding water pollution and designing effective treatment processes. Additionally, the programme may include research and scientific writing components, allowing students to delve deeper into specific aspects of water pollution and treatment.
Furthermore, Unilag's PhD programme in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management offers a more specialised avenue to address water pollution and treatment. For example, one PhD project focuses on the challenges of plastic pollution, climate change, and their impact on food-climate-biodiversity (FCB) sustainability within the Gulf of Guinea, specifically along the Nigerian coastlines. This research aims to develop strategies for mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution and climate change on fisheries and the livelihoods of the coastal population.
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Soil contamination and control
The Department of Zoology at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, offers a course in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management. The course focuses on the environmental risk assessment of pollutants, including those that affect aquatic life and air quality.
Soil contamination is a pressing issue, and controlling it is essential to preserve soil fertility and productivity. Soil, being a "universal sink", bears the brunt of environmental pollution. Contamination can occur through industrial releases, homeowner maintenance activities, or natural geological processes.
Soil contamination can be managed and treated through various techniques, including:
- Capping or covering contaminated soil with clean material, such as subsoil, clean soil, or soil-like materials like dredge, to dilute and reduce the concentration of contaminants.
- Liming the soil to adjust the pH level, which can reduce plant uptake of certain contaminants like lead and cadmium, but this method should not be used for arsenic-polluted soils as it may increase arsenic levels in plants.
- Using organic matter as a form of dilution, such as mulch or compost, but this is an interim method that requires periodic reapplication.
- Applying phosphorus fertilizer to lead-contaminated soils (as long as they are not also contaminated with arsenic).
- Lining contaminated soil with a root-impenetrable layer, such as landscape fabric, to prevent plant uptake of contaminants.
- Replacing contaminated soil is the most effective strategy for reducing the risk of exposure to contaminants, but it is also the most expensive and destructive.
It is important to assess the ecological risk associated with contaminated soil and to adopt preventive measures, such as limiting construction in sensitive areas, reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and adopting the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
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Environmental policy and law
Environmental toxicology and pollution management is a course offered by the Department of Zoology at the University of Lagos. The department offers a Master's and PhD programme in the field.
The Master's programme is designed for candidates with a good Honours Degree in Environmental Management and Toxicology, Forestry and Wildlife, Agriculture, and other environmentally related courses. The programme typically spans a minimum of three semesters and covers a range of topics, including environmental pollution studies, environmental policy and law, and welfare economics.
The environmental pollution studies cover various types of pollution, including water, soil, air, and noise pollution. Students learn about the importance of water and the hydrological cycle, the biological effects of water pollution, and the causes of soil contamination, alongside controlling measures.
The environmental policy and law module focuses on policy-making processes in developed and developing countries. It involves a comparative analysis of institutional structures and decision-making frameworks related to the environment. Additionally, it explores international environmental law, including legal aspects of environmental pollution within the Nigerian legal system. Common laws, such as strict liability, torts of nuisance, trespass, and negligence, are examined, along with statutory controls like the Water Pollution Control Ordinance and the Noise Control Ordinance.
The welfare economics component introduces basic concepts such as surplus, Pareto optimality, externalities, and the welfare of future generations. It explores alternative economic approaches to pollution control, including taxes, subsidies, the sale of pollution rights, and the use of environmental standards. Cost-benefit analysis and economic theories related to resource depletion and conservation are also integral parts of the curriculum.
The PhD programme in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management at the University of Lagos is a 3-year full-time position that offers a scholarship covering tuition fees and a monthly salary. The research focus of this programme is tailored to address specific environmental challenges. For example, one project aims to investigate the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU)-plastic pollution-climate change nexus challenges and develop sustainable solutions for the Gulf of Guinea, with a focus on Nigerian coastlines.
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Frequently asked questions
Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management is in the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science at the University of Lagos.
Candidates need a good Honours Degree in Environmental Management and Toxicology, Forestry and Wildlife, Agriculture, or other related courses from a recognised university.
The course involves studying the importance of water, water supply, types and sources of water pollution, and the biological effects of water pollution. It also covers soil contamination, environmental policy-making, welfare economics, and pollution economics.
Graduates can pursue careers in wastewater compliance, environmental research, and other related fields.
