Abstract: Background and Objective: The elemental concentrations of deposited dust are often used to assess the level of contamination and for monitoring air pollution. Therefore, this study determined the chemical composition of dust storms in agricultural areas of arid land. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 18 positions in the Qassim region. The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Ba and Zn were determined in the deposited dust. Results: The means of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations in dust were 9.72, 14.4, 109, 31.6, 14.o, 59.3, 437 and 75.5, respectively. The concentrations of the previous elements in dust samples were not in the toxicity values range. Also, data indicated that positions D1, D2, D3, D12 and D14 were higher in silicon but lower in aluminum, iron, Ca and Mg. Conversely, the other positions were lower in silicon but higher in aluminum, iron, calcium and magnesium. However, all positions recorded almost the same amount of the alkali elements, potassium and sodium. Conclusion: The analyses showed that dust has increased nutrient value and great agricultural value. The dust content of heavy metals was less than the maximum allowable concentrations. PubDate: 31 January, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: Population explosion and urbanization are the major cause of the energy crisis. Conventional fossil fuel is a non-renewable and unsustainable source of energy. To fulfil the demands of the growing population, sustainable energy sources became a crucial need. Algae-based biofuel production has turned into an appealing approach as it is one of the most reliable energy sources. The present work explored the optimization of growth conditions of analgal consortium collected from a waste water drain. Materials and Methods: The collected biomass was identified and subjected to different ranges of pH, temperature and light intensity in the laboratory. The growth rate was recorded and presented as a descriptive stat. Results: The identification results revealed the prevalence of cyanobacterial strains in the collected consortium. The experimentation showed substantial growth of consortium at the temperature range of 25-30°C and neutral pH was found suitable for constant growth of biomass. Direct sunlight showed a negative influence on biomass production as fluctuations in light intensity cause stress in algae. The high light intensity of 2060 lx showed improvement in the growth of biomass. Conclusion: Determination of ideal conditions for wastewater algae in the present study exposed the field of utilization of wastewater algae for various vital purposes. This can specifically helpful in techno-economic improvements in the field of algal exploitation or consumption. The knowledge of ideal growth conditions of algae can be helpful to enhance the bioremediation process and biofuel production. PubDate: 29 September, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: The several health challenges of humans in most communities are traceable to the state of the community environmental unhealthiness. The several environmental health issues and disease profiles among local settlement in Yenagoa metropolis has become so worrisome. This study was undertaken to map, identify and analyze the distribution of faecal contamination index within the metropolitan Yenagoa. Materials and Methods: Ten Communities, Amarata, Biogbolo, Ekeki, Kpansia, Okaka, Okutukutu, Onopa, Swali, Yenezue-Epie and Yenezue-Gene were randomly selected. The coordinates of each of the communities and the faecal contamination sites were recorded using the map and location Application on an Android phone. In each site, three faecal contamination indexes, open site, waste dump site and leaking septic tanks were physically identified and mapped. The faecal contamination index was counted in a map grid and the frequency was calculated. Results: From the result, forty-one standpoints in twenty-six sites of the 10 communities had one of the three sources of faecal contamination. Dumpsites (56.1%) were more predominant than open sites (17.1%) and leak septic sites (19.5%), respectively. The spatial analysis by count cell method was calculated using Variance- Mean Ratio (VMR). The VMR was calculated to be 1.70. Conclusion: This showed that the distribution pattern of the faecal contamination index was even, regular and uniform. This is an indication that the disease pattern associated with faecal contamination may spread uniformly across the living homes in the study communities. PubDate: 22 November, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: Contamination of water bodies is one of the most impacting anthropogenic activities to the environment, therefore, it is important to understand the biological processes that allow the wastewater bioremediation. The objective of this study was to identify the main bacterial genera present in sewage treatment plants and of which are these species have genes that participate in the degradation or accumulation pathways of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Materials and Methods: Genomes of 158 bacteria species, isolated from sewage treatment plants, were analyzed in search of the following pathways: nitrification, denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction, phosphorus accumulation, assimilatory sulfate reduction and dissimilatory sulfate reduction and oxidation. Results: Seventy-nine bacteria species had at least one of the complete pathways, of which 11 had 3 or more complete pathways: Acidovorax caeni, Acidovorax delafieldii, Acidovorax temperans, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, Comamonas thiooxydans, Nitrobacter vulgaris, Nitrobacter winogradskyi, Paracoccus denitrificans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Thiothrixnivea. Paracoccus denitrificans stands out for having the largest number of complete pathways, possessing the genes of denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction, assimilatory sulfate reduction and phosphorus accumulation processes. Conclusion: Therefore, the conclusion of this study can be used to improve the optimization of wastewater treatment processes, indicating bacteria that are more adapted for bioremediation: Paracoccus denitrificans, Thiothrixnivea and Nitrospiranitrosa. PubDate: 19 January, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: Delineating pollution levels and the ecological risk of heavy metals in agricultural soils are prerequisites for decreasing their pollution load. This study assesses the concentration, pollution loads and ecological risk of heavy metal on soils developed on basaltic and sandstone parent materials in Ikom. Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm from soil developed on basaltic and sandstone parent materials, air-dried and sieved through a 2 mm mesh sieve for Physico-chemical and heavy metals analysis. Results: The result indicated that basaltic soil has greater potential for crop cultivation as shown by its fertility indices, pH (5.7), exchangeable Mg (1.94 mg kg–1) and base saturation (82%) when compared with its counterpart sandstone soil, but it was constrained by Pb, Cd and Al contamination. Soil developed on both parent materials except those at Atimaka (14.183) and FGC Ikom (19.201) which had a considerable degree of contamination, other sites were heavily contaminated with Cd. The soil was moderate to extremely severe enriched with Pb at Atimaka (7.869) and Nde (4.984) and moderately to extremely severe enriched with Cd at all locations. The Cd had a very high potential ecological risk in soil developed on both parent materials. Conclusion: From the foregoing, it can be inferred that the studied soils are not currently in a safe state for the cultivation of edible crops and consumption of crops from the soil in these areas over a long time could pose health issues related to Cd and Pb contamination to humans. PubDate: 13 May, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: The dynamics of soil porosity is shaped and sometimes overwhelmed by other soil properties if proper soil management is not ensured. The effects of soil properties on soil porosity and the resultant implication were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Slope maps were generated from the digital elevation model obtained from United States Geological Survey Explorer SRTM 1 for three agrarian communities underlain by four geologic formations in Cross River State. Each slope range represented a mapping unit (8 mapping units were obtained) and 2 profile pits were sunk in each, resulting in 16 soil profile pits. Fifty-three soil samples were obtained from pedogenic horizons and used for analysis in the Soil Science Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2019. Results: Bulk density (Bd) decreased with increasing total (St) and micro (Sμ) porosities. On the other hand, saturated hydraulic conductivity Ksat, the volume fraction of water at all tension levels (θvt) as well as exchangeable bases increased with increasing total and micro porosities. Conclusion: Exchangeable Na+, Bd and volume fraction of water at 30 cm of tension as well as lithology are important factors that influence soil porosity. The values of R2 for models between St and Sμ, against Bd and θvt, were >50 %. Macro porosity was as a result, least influenced by other soil properties. Factor analysis further affirms the contributions of Bd, Na+ and volume fraction of water at 30 cm of tension to variation between lithologies for PC1 of St and Sμ. PubDate: 13 December, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: The shallow Continental Terminal aquifer is the primary water resource for drinking purposes in the coastal sedimentary basin of Togo. This study aimed to identify hydrochemical processes and groundwater quality to ensure the sustainable water supply in the basin. Materials and Methods: Major chemical parameters of forty-two samples of shallow groundwater and eight samples of surface water collected during march 2019 were analyzed using AFNOR methods. The Piper diagram and Principal Components Analysis of the data were used to determining the factors that control groundwater processes in the aquifer system, based on the ionic constituents, water types and component loadings. Results: Groundwater was slightly acid and fresh to brackish. Surface water was circum-neutral and fresh to very saline. For both groundwater and surface water, the cations and anions abundance order was Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+>K+ and Cl–>SO42–>HCO3–>NO3–, respectively. Thus, water samples were predominantly Na-Cl water type (~88%). Most of the groundwater samples were classified Na-Cl water type with two accessory water types (Ca-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl). The principal process operating in the shallow groundwater of the Vogan-Attitogon plateau was seawater mixing with fresh water and natural silicate weathering. Carbonaceous debris, limestone weathering, pyrite dissolution, ion exchange, evaporation, anthropogenic activities (farming using fertilizers and industrial activity) also influenced groundwater mineralization. Conclusion: The analysis of shallow groundwater shows for some samples high Total Dissolved Solids and ions found in concentrations exceeding thresholds. The shallow aquifer of the Vogan-Attitogon plateau face degradation of water quality and the consumption of this water may affect human health. PubDate: 01 December, 2021
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