Occurrence and Impact of Emerging Contaminants in Nigeria's Freshwater Resources

Abstract

The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in freshwater presents a major challenge as they pose serious threats to human life and ecosystems. It is essential that water is of good quality before it can be used by communities and benefit the environment. Nigeria is blessed with abundant water resources; however, the country lacks effective and efficient institutions to provide sanitation services to treat domestic waste and to monitor and regulate industries, helping them protect the environment by ensuring they treat their industrial waste before discharging to the water bodies. Various ECs have been detected in the nation's freshwater resources. They pose significant threat to the environment, and they have the potential to harm aquatic life and human health. Nigeria needs a comprehensive and integrated water resources management plan that gives priority to the monitoring, detection, and treatment of emerging contaminants to mitigate against the potential risks that occur when they are present in freshwater resources.