Akata N. I¹, Nwafor F.I², Nzoiwu C.P^3,, Ogbonna C.E¹, Chima G.N⁴

This study assessed the effect of gas flaring on the biochemical properties and air pollution tolerance of ethnomedicinal plants around two gas flaring locations (ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe Terminal and Network Exploration Limited) in Ibeno, Nigeria, during wet and dry seasons. Five perennial shrubs of ethnobotanical importance in the study area (Aframomum danielii, Alchornea cordifolia, Harungana madagascariensis, Stachytarpheta augustifolia, and Tetracera alnifolia) within a 200-meter perimeter area outside each of the flare sites were selected for the study using the quadrat method. Control samples were collected 15 kilometers away. Statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA and an independent T-test at P ≤ 0.05. Results of biochemical analysis indicated a significant increase in ascorbic acid (AA) and relative water content at the study sites, while total chlorophyll content and pH were significantly higher at the control site compared to the study sites. Generally, the findings of this study indicate that gas flaring-induced environmental stress on selected plants is more pronounced during the dry season. None of the plants can be considered very tolerant to air pollution from gas flaring in the study area based on APTI. However, Aframomum danelli and Stachytarpheta augustifolia could be utilized in green belt development for mitigating air pollution from gas flaring in the study area, given their very high intermediate APTI values.

Air pollution tolerance index, Ascorbic acid content, Chlorophyll content, Gas flaring, Leaf Ph, Relative water content