Title: Impact-based cost-benefit analysis model for management of crude oil contaminated agricultural soil

Authors: Victor N. Ogugua; Charles C. Egolum; Nwanma B. Onyike; Ikechukwu N.E. Onwurah

Addresses: Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria ' Department of Estate Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria ' Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria ' Pollution Control and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract: Evaluating the compensation payable to farmers whose farms/farmlands have been rendered unproductive due to oil spill requires adequate scientific research and improved decision-making. This work proposes a bacterial-based mathematical framework as a decision-support system for evaluating crude oil spill impact on agricultural soil. The rate of 'in situ' biodegradation of the crude oil predicts the half-life of the spilled crude oil in the soil ecosystem while the inherent toxicity of the spilled oil provided the impact value (E), which was integrated into a version of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) model referred to as Impact-Based Cost-Benefit Analysis (IBCBA) that can be used for computing the adequate compensation payable. Scientific research initiatives that may engender integrated management of crude oil-contaminated agricultural soil are highlighted.

Keywords: oil pollution; soil contamination; biodegradation rate; adaptive management; valuation; cost-benefit analysis; waste management; crude oil; agricultural soil; agriculture; compensation payable; Nigeria; environmental pollution; farmers; farmland pollution; bacteria; mathematical framework; decision support systems; DSS; oil spill impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2012.048373

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2012 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.239 - 255

Published online: 13 Dec 2014 *

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