Dr. Amarachi Paschaline Onyena’s research spans marine biology and aquatic environmental science, with a core focus on water sediment quality assessment, benthic macroinvertebrate ecology, ecotoxicology, molecular characterization, and environmental risk evaluation. Her work examines how pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and microplastics influence aquatic ecosystems, using integrated approaches that combine biomonitoring tools, molecular techniques, and analytical assessments to understand contamination pathways, ecological stress responses, and indicators of ecosystem degradation. She contributes extensive research on mangrove ecosystem dynamics, sediment biogeochemistry, and the role of macrobenthic communities as sensitive bioindicators of environmental change. Through field investigations, experimental analyses, and systematic reviews across diverse Nigerian aquatic environments, she provides evidence-based insights for pollution mitigation, microplastic monitoring, and sustainable aquatic resource governance. Her involvement in environmental risk assessments, consultancy-based evaluations, and collaborative marine studies supports policy development for coastal sustainability and blue-economy advancement. Contributions to global platforms, including work for the United Nations World Ocean Assessment, reflect her commitment to translating scientific findings into practical frameworks for ocean governance. With 590 citations, 29 indexed documents, and an h-index of 12, her growing research impact highlights her role in advancing marine pollution science, improving environmental monitoring frameworks, and promoting evidence-based strategies for resilient coastal and marine ecosystems.
Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus
Featured Publication
Onyena, A. P., & Sam, K. (2020). A review of the threat of oil exploitation to mangrove ecosystem: Insights from Niger Delta, Nigeria. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, e00961.
Onyena, A. P., Aniche, D. C., Ogbolu, B. O., Rakib, M. R. J., Uddin, J., & Walker, T. R. (2021). Governance strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution in the marine environment: A review. Microplastics, 1(1), 15–46.
Rakib, M. R. J., Rahman, M. A., Onyena, A. P., Kumar, R., Sarker, A., Hossain, M. B., … (2022). A comprehensive review of heavy metal pollution in the coastal areas of Bangladesh: Abundance, bioaccumulation, health implications, and challenges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(45), 67532–67558.
Chris, D. I., Onyena, A. P., & Sam, K. (2023). Evaluation of human health and ecological risk of heavy metals in water, sediment and shellfishes in typical artisanal oil mining areas of Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(33), 80055–80069.
Sam, K., Onyena, A. P., Zabbey, N., Odoh, C. K., Nwipie, G. N., Nkeeh, D. K., Osuji, L. C., … (2023). Prospects of emerging PAH sources and remediation technologies: Insights from Africa. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(14), 39451–39473.
The nominee’s work advances environmental sustainability by providing evidence-based insights into pollution risks affecting coastal and marine ecosystems. Their research supports stronger policies, healthier communities, and long-term ecosystem resilience.