ASSESSMENT OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION AND EXPLORATION AS A CORRELATES OF LONG LASTING TOXIC EFFECTS ON MARINE ORGANISMS AND BENTHIC COMMUNITIES

This study examined offshore oil and gas exploration and production as key contributors to long-term toxic effects on marine organisms and benthic communities. Correlational survey design was adopted for this study. The study was carried out in South-East Nigeria. The targeted population for the study comprised of Public Health Doctors and Environmental Scientist in South-East Nigeria. A stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 35 Public Health Doctors and 40 Environmental Scientist in Imo State and 35 Public Health Doctors and 40 Environmental Scientist in Abia State. This gave a total of 150 respondents, which formed the sample size for this study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Offshore Oil and Gas Production Questionnaire” (OOGPQ). Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation in order to ensure that the instrument has the accuracy, appropriateness, and completeness for the study under consideration. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.88, and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical technique such as descriptive statistics to answer research question and regression analysis to test the hypothesis. The result of the findings indicated that extent of Offshore Oil and Gas Production and Exploration is Very High with (43.3) respondents, followed by (21.33) which indicated High Extent (HE). Very low extent (VLE). The study showed that the calculated R-value (0.93) is greater than the critical R-value of 0.197 at 0.05 level of significance with 148 degrees of freedom. The R-square value of 0.98 indicates that 98% of the variation in explained by effect of offshore oil and gas production and exploration on long lasting toxic effects in our environment. The study however concluded that over time, these stressors may lead to reduced biodiversity, altered species composition. One of the recommendations was that environmental impact assessments should be made more rigorous and mandatory before approval of any offshore oil and gas exploration or production project to ensure potential risks.