APPLICATION OF GPS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT GIVING SOME CASE STUDY

1. MAPPING FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT (E.I.A). A study of the sustenance of the environment and its ecological forms and the influence of both man-made and natural consequence and or phenomenon is very essential in environment management. The global positioning system (GPS) plays a major role in the area of mapping for earth resources and capturing and acquiring data which could form basis for the generation of various plans, maps and pictorial representation of the environment and habitat. The GPS acquires coordinates by the symbiotic and systematic relation with an extra terrestrial body (a satellite), which broadcast real time signals of features on the earth surface. Coordinates acquired with the aid of a GPS (Global Positioning System) are useful in providing data which could be necessary in calculating land mass, water mass, depiction of certain features such as trees (palm trees, raffia palms and coconut trees on the beach), flora and fauna (population of arboreal animals i.e. tree climbing animals), habitable and uninhabitable areas, settlements, amenities, infrastructures, waste dispersals, tracking of health and environmental hazards, and for zoning regulations . The data gathered using coordinates derived from GPS is also useful for tracking of movement of oil spillages whose consequence is negative to the environment, resulting in imbalance of the ecosystem and destruction of the fresh water aquiver and the rich ecosystem. For instance, at present in the Niger-Delta, oil exploration by various oil firms (Shell, Mobil etc) has resulted in the gradual destruction of the ecosystem which as adversely affected the fresh water table, aquatic inhabitants and activities of those living within and around the coastal area which involves fishing and farming. Recently there have been concerted efforts by various agencies for the sustenance of a clean and safe environment in the coastal Niger-Delta region.

2. SAND FILLING/SAND MINING. Various human activities along the coastal region have resulted in imbalance of the coastal zones. One of the activities of dominance is sand mining without recourse to replenishment. Naturally, the beach exist with features such as dunes, gouges, crates, etc to serve as control against high velocity waves but these features has been tampered and distorted with by man made activities living room for the purpose it was meant to serve ab initio to be defeated. In other to checkmate flooding along the coastal zones and eroded sites, sand filling measures are taken into consideration to provide a cushion effect along the beaches. The GPS technology is important to this activities because it provides in real-time very useful parameters such as Northings (Nm), Eastings(Em) and Height(Hm) with the aid of digital global positioning system (DGPS). The basis for this parameters forms useful data for the calculation of mass-volume relationship of materials and alluvial deposits along the sea shores and beaches. For instance, density () which is the ratio of mass per unit volume can be calculated for once the volume of deposit materials [which can be determined through the use of DGPS (N,E,H)] is gotten and the mass of each deposits could also be accounted for. Since density of some substances such as water, sand, etc mineral deposits (gold, iron-ore, precious metals etc) has already been predetermined to standard by scientific methods, the mass of any material or substance could also be determined with the result derived from calculation for volume, the amount of sand needed for sand filling per area and replenishment of the ocean and coastal zones can be determined. For example: sand filling and reclamation is taking place along the Banana Island and Ilubirin Estate in Lagos State. The Lagos bar-beach is been sand filled by Hi-tech (a contractor) as a means of control measure to checkmate flooding along Victoria-Island. Sand filling at various points within the ocean is done in order to balance the system so that ships, oceans liners can berth easily. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTROLS. The use of GPS is important in the establishment and densification of controls and construction of monumental beacons to aid real time monitoring of event such as deformation, subsidence which occurs in the environment. Coordinates are transferred and referenced from monuments beacons unto various structures (buildings, bridges, light house, monuments, underground rails, road networks and civil structure) and these structures are monitored from time to

time to observe if there is any departure however minute or extensive. Example: the National Arts Theatre Iganmu, Lagos, Senate Building at the University of Lagos, Tower of Pisa Italy, Third Mainland Bridge Lagos are all undergoing deformation exercises. 4. MONITORING OF SHORELINE. The establishment of controls along the shoreline with the aid of the Global positioning system (GPS) is suitable for real time monitoring of the coastal zone to checkmate coastal degradation and subsidence. Subsidence is the process by which an area of land sinks to a lower level than normal. The GPS coordinates provides information on relative shift (recession) along the coast line. 5. DETERMINATION OF HEIGHTS. Recently the Chinese government sponsored an expedition to Mount Everest. The height of Mount Everest was determined and it was observed from the peak with the aid of digital global positioning system (DGPS). The result of this observation indicated a plunge by some thousands of feet in the height of the mountain from the initial height it was thought to be.
6 . MONITORING AND DETERMINATION OF POPULATION OF

INSULATORS AND WAVE BREAKERS. Certain plants such as the red mangrove and bamboo plants provide insulation and natural effect against high velocity waves. These plants serve as wave breaker and damper and are prominent features along the Niger-Delta. It provides dampening effect and serve as protection along the coastal zones and land mass. The Area of spread and population of these plants can be determined by taking coordinates of point locations using GPS of these plants within this habitats. Information gathered would provide answers as to whether such area is safe for habitation or prone to danger. 7. GROYNES. These are low wall built out into the sea to prevent it from washing away sand and stones from the beach. Before groynes can be constructed, GPS positions could be used to determine its proposed dimensions and locations. A deformation study could be carried out on it by relating the coordinates of the groynes to an established coordinates on monumented pillars.

8. GAS/WATER RESOURCES GPS coordinates is important in the location of pipe lines for the transportation of gas/water to various destinations. Since the rate of flow of water and gas is relative and also dependent on factors such as pressure, heights, area of cross section of pipe etc. GPS coordinates would play very important role to determine positioning and placing of pipe line networks. 9. FISHING/AGRICULTURE Coordinates of water mass could be determined with the use of GPS. This coordinates could provide useful information which could be tailored to suite GIS (Geographic Information System Software) to enable for example biologist and zoologist create a base map (tourist map, fishing map, animal population maps) showing distribution of certain species in the aquatic and marine habitats (e.g tuna fish, salmon, oysters, mackerel, sardine, etc) and plants (sea weeds, phytoplankton) and population of wild life. The base map could also serve has information for archaeologist and scientist in researching history of aquatic species and ship wreckages example: The Titanic Ship 1908. 10. HYDROGRAPHY GPS can be used for point fixing and construction of oil rigs

1. How can CORS stations improve the establishment of controls in Nigeria? CORS stations can improve establishment of controls in Nigeria through the followings: (a) Serving as reference frames of high accuracy for the densification of controls. (b) By provision of a unified reference frames and connectivity which are consistent and homogeneous for control extension.
(c) CORS station would be able to reference a user occupying a station with any

station in Africa. The user would be at most 500km from such stations.
(d) Controls in Nigeria would be integrated with the existing international GPS

service (IGS) network so as to promote and support activities such as maintenance of a permanent network of GPS tracking station and the continuous computation of the satellite orbits and ground station coordinates.
(e) CORS station would improve establishment of control in such a way that

intervisibility between control networks stations may not be required.