Coastal Community Perception on the Use of Human Excreta for Biogas Production

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Coastal Community Perception on the Use of Human Excreta for Biogas Production

H.I. Ogan¹, S.C. Teme², C.L. Eze³ and S.A. Ngah^4
1,2,3,4 Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology; Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo
PMB 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Corresponding author*

Abstract: Survey research method was adopted for this study. A total of 300 households, from three (3) zones (Azuabie/Slaughter, Tourist Beach and Eagle Island Coastal Communities) formed the population of this study. The data collection instrument consisted of structured questionnaire, which contained information on socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the respondents and the acceptance or otherwise of using excreta to generate energy (electricity). The result showed 83% are literate among the Azuabie respondents while those at Tourist Beach and Eagle Island were 90% and 81%, respectively. This probably made them receptive to the idea of generating useful energy from their wastes even though most of them were unaware of the biogas technology. On the issue of converting and using the human excreta, the level of awareness by the respondents was quite low. At Azuabie, 60.4%, at the Tourist Beach 71.7% and at Eagle Island 60.3% have never heard about it. It could be seen from the above that, more than halve of the respondents are unaware of the biogas technology, talk less of considering it as an alternative source of energy. Be that as it may, majority of the respondents welcomed the idea of an innovation that would convert excreta into electricity that they so desperately need. At Azuabie, 79.2% accepted this proposition, while 81.7% and 74.6% equally accepted at the Tourist Beach and the Eagle Island coastal communities respectively. Ironically, request for respondents to provide their excreta for the research was met with skepticism and rejection. At Azuabie, 62.3% were unwilling, while at the Tourist Beach, 81.7% were not ready. However, 44.4% of respondents at the Eagle Island were willing to provide their excreta for the research. Lastly, there is no significant agreement among the residents to accept the use of the energy produced from the conversion of such wastes.

Keywords: Human Excreta, household biodegradable wastes, coastal communities, anaerobic digestion, electricity generation.

I. INTRODUCTION

The management of wastes streams generated from anthropogenic activities posed very little challenge to humans in the not so distant past. However, with increasing industrialization and urbanization, wastes generated now outstrip disposal rate/mechanism especially in the developing countries, creating severe waste management challenges [1]. Manure from human beings, animals and poultry are easily biodegradable. These wastes have therefore over time, caused environmental degradation, pollution and resource depletion with dire environmental and health consequences [2]. Other materials are industrial waste (saw dust, wastes from food processing industries); plant wastes (husk, grass, weed etc.),

Read More