An Overview of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) Proliferation and Its Environmental Consequences on the Deltas of Nigeria

The macrophyte water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was first reported on the Nigerian coastal waters in 1982. Since then, it spread rapidly and by 1985, it had colonized much of the creeks and lagoons. A coast-wide survey was carried out to determine the environmental factors influencing proliferation of water hyacinth. In addition to its impacts on the ecological, social and economic aspects of the environment and the effective use of the prevailing methods of control. The study area was divided into six zones from which field investigations were conducted. The study made use of both primary and secondary data. Primary data included direct personal observation and oral interview. While the secondary data included published and unpublished materials, it was discovered that the nutrient-rich environment contributed significantly to the rapid proliferation of the weeds. Its infestation impaired fishing, breeding and nursery grounds for microbes and parasites, impaired marine transport, human health and water quality among others. Efforts aimed at controlling it were taken, manual and mechanical extraction of the weeds seen to be the most adopted strategy at certain locations along the coastal fringe. But infestation in creek and lagoon environment remained untackled despite consernted efforts. The adoption of an integrated management approach where other methods failed, water hyacinth can be converted to usable materials such as paper production, rope and mat making, production of fish feeds, water purification and biogas production among others. This will go a long way at eradicating the weed as most of them will be used for beneficial purposes rather than constituting a problem to the environment.