Journal of Global Ecology and Environment

Abstract

The study used Geographical Information System (GIS) to model the oil spill incidents in the coastal areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.  The model involved the off-shore and on – shore components. In the off-shore component, oil spill trajectory model was used to trace the path of movement of oil on water from the source of spill towards the shoreline and the surrounding environment. For this, atmospheric, climatic and petroleum oil parameters were inputted into OILSPILLMAP model that was integrated within ArcGIS 9 software. The trajectory model showed that oil moved westwards from the simulated source towards the coastlines of Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the study area. This path of movement might likely change with seasonal changes in movement of ocean currents and other tidal parameters. The on – shore component of the model consisted of landuse / landcover based Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) mapping of the study area. This was used to show the land characteristics of the area hence predict the likely impact of oil spill in the coastal ecosystem. The ESI showed the sensitive environmental resources at risk and what / where to protect whenever oil spill may occur. The integrated GIS based system demonstrated in this study would greatly empower stake holders including host communities to better understand and monitor oil spill incidents in the operating environments.