Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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Harvesting of Scenedesmus obliquus Cells by Chemical Flocculation: The Effects of Various Flocculants in Bio-recovery of Carotenoids
No full textOne of the major challenges in the downstream processing of microalgae is harvesting cells from the culture medium, which account for 20-30% of the production cost. Several harvesting methods and their combinations are available efficiency of which depends on algal sp. and biomass concentration. However, the bio recovery of algal metabolites for quite a number of harvesting methods is rarely reported. In the present study, an experiment was carried out to determine the effects of different flocculants (AlCl2, FeCl3 and ZnSO4, MgSO4) in harvesting Scenedesmus obliquus and its bio recovery of carotenoids. From the result obtained FeCl3 was the best flocculant harvesting up to 99.69% algal cells at the first 30 minutes of reaction time. Similarly, in terms of carotenoid bio-recovery, the highest carotenoids content was recorded in cells harvested with ferric chloride (i.e., 2.81 mg/ml) as compared to other coagulants
Comparative Efficacy of Phenol Concentration against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in Some Hulled Barley Cultivars Productivity and Grain Quality
No full textBarley is an important food crop particularly for animal feeding and human food over the word, which infested by Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) insects at stored grain stage. Using modern methods of protection of stored grains from insect pests within integrated management (IPM) programs is an important approach. Ten hulled Egyptian barley cultivars were grown at Sakha Agricultural research station farm during two growing seasons 2020/ 2021 and 2021/ 2022 to evaluated their susceptible to R. dominica after 180 days from seeds storage. The influence of using phenol application on R. dominica and chemical properties of the barley grain were evaluated. The results showed that the barley cultivars (Giza123, Giza 2000, Giza137 and Giza138) were the lowest cultivars infested by R. dominica, which showed least reduction of weight loss and least percentage of grain infestation. Positive significant correlation was found among all insect infestation traits with protein content and total carbohydrates content. The loadings of principal component analysis PCA described about 96.4 % of the total variability of all studied traits. The heatmap cluster analysis, clustered all the ten hulled barley into two major clusters based on their productivity, grain quality and R. dominica infestation characters. Using phenol concentration of (0.4 g ai / kg) exhibited high toxic for R. dominica insect, showed lower LC50 values for Giza 132, Giza2000, Giza137 and Giza138 by (1.80, 2.08, 2.60, and 2.60 g ai / kg grains), high response index percentage (100.00, 85.50, 69.23 and 69.23%) with complete reduction of adult progeny of R. dominica after 120 hrs. of exposure. The technological quality of barley cultivars grains haven’t showing any significant change after treated with different phenol treatments
The Impact of Deforestation on Livelihood Activities in Bali L.G.A of Taraba State, Nigeria
No full textThis paper seeks to examine the impact of deforestation on livelihood in the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. It is geared towards finding out how people understand the nature of deforestation and its main causes and also to determine the impact of deforestation on livelihood activities. This has become imperative in the view that studies and policies on deforestation have often described it as bad because of the long-term environmental implication evident in biodiversity loss, climate change and erosion. Despite this fact, it is equally important to note that deforestation has contributed immensely to livelihoods as a source of income and employment for the local people. One hundred and twenty (120) respondents were randomly sampled and administered research questionnaires both in Bayan Dutse, Bali town and Mai Labari, Garba chede. Personal observations were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as trend analysis, ratios, percentages, frequency counts and graphical depictions. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the deforestation variable and socio-economic activities. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that among human activities, logging and fuel consumption (P>0.010), expansion of farmland and (P>0.010), plantation (P>0.038) were significant implying that these activities had a positive effect on the socio-economic activities in the communities of Bali. The results further gave an insight into variables such as war (P>0.631), overgrazing (P>0.621) and bush burning (P>0.234) to less likely affect the socio-economic activities or livelihoods of the locals in the communities of Bali. It is observed that at one degree of freedom, the ρ-value is 0.122 and this is greater than the level of statistical significance of 0.05, hence the null hypothesis that “there is no significant difference in personal income generated from male and female involvement in deforestation activities in the communities which is to be rejected. An important key element is the need for the Department of Forestry to be proactive in discharging its key function of enhancing sustainable forest management in Bali communities. There should be a synergy between the government and local people in the fight against deforestation
Evaluation of the Effects of Heavy Metals on Sediments and Rainwater Samples Due to Gas Flaring in the South Eastern Nigeria
No full textThis study evaluates the concentrations of heavy metals in sediment and rainwater samples of Ibeno, south eastern Nigeria due to gas flaring. Surface sediment samples were collected randomly in six different sites during the dry season in the intertidal zone at extremely low tide from the flare point to a distance of about 250m away from the flare site. Rainwater samples were collected with the use of pre-clean basins at an open space in three selected communities of Ibeno and were transferred into different sterilized plastic rubbers with their labels. These samples were transported to the laboratory for analysis of heavy metals concentrations using a particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) technique. Heavy metals such as Titanium (Ti), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Rubidium (Rb), Strontium (Sr), Zirconium (Zr) and Lead (Pb) were analyzed in sediments while Vanadium (V), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn) and Cadmium (Cd) were obtained in rainwater. The concentrations of Iron (Fe) in sediments are higher at the study area than every other elements but Manganese (Mn) poses more negative effects than others. The four pollution indices such as enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) were employed to assess the contamination status of heavy metals in sediment samples of the study area. The results revealed the elemental trend to be in descending order in each area of this study, which followed the sequence Mn> Zn> Pb> Cu> Fe> Sr> Rb> Cr> Ti >Zr, while PLI revealed the extent of pollution in each site which ranged from 1.44 to 1.94. Most of the heavy metals concentrations in sediments such as Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu and Fe were far above the permissible limits, while in rainwater samples Pb, Cd, Ni, Fe and Mn were far above the permissible limits by WHO, 2008 and NSDWQ, 2007. This revealed that the rainwater in the study area were not free from toxicity and are unfit for drinking. Analysis of multi-variant statistics such as Pearson’s correlation coefficient and cluster analysis were also applied to ascertain the relationship and sources of investigated heavy metals. Both positive and negative correlations were observed among some heavy metals at 0.01 and 0.05 levels, while the cluster analysis revealed four main clusters. The study revealed that the ecosystems in the studied areas were vulnerable to bioaccumulation of heavy metals in that soil which could be of hazard effect to the ecosystem
Evaluation of the Adverse Effects of Incessant Untreated Effluent Discharge on Surface Water Quality
No full textThe study was conducted to evaluate the Idomila River in Ilese, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria, for its physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics as well as its wastewater discharge sources. A designed observational chart developed to verify, check, and inspect the upstream and downstream environmental conditions, field measurements and laboratory analysis of river water samples from upstream and downstream were carried out to determine the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the water using accepted examination techniques. Data collected were analyzed by both inferential and descriptive statistical analysis (One-way ANOVA test) of SPSS software package. The results show the sources of wastewater to be from anthropogenic sources such as agricultural, and domestic activities. The average values of the physico-chemical and microbial parameters across the river section and locations of sampling are similar. The results of ANOVA indicated that the physico-chemical and microbiological qualities do not differ significantly except the total solid and total dissolved solid. The implication is that the dilution rates and fast movement of the river might be the cause, and on the other hands different wastes entering from upstream and downstream might differed. Although, most of the analysed water sample results were below the WHO recommended limits. There is need for adequate the management of domestic and agricultural wastes to lower the accumulation of pollutants in the river water and soil, and to minimize environmental degradation. There is need for further research using spectrometry methods to analyse the water and soil samples around the study area
Assessment of the Impacts of Climatic Factors and Economic Variables on Mangrove Ecosystem in Upenekang and Iwuochang, Southeastern Nigeria
No full textThe study assessed the impacts of climate change and economic variables on mangrove ecosystem in Upenekang and Iwuochang of Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State in a bid to understand the extent at which this ecological zone had contributed to the socio-economic well-being of the rural dwellers as well as its effects on the immediate environment. 200 copies of questionnaires were administered to respondents in the study area who were farmers, fishermen, fish traders, fuel wood dealers, boat builders and many others. Climatic variables like water temperature, salinity, rainfall, air pressure, pH, and tidal elevation were determined across ten sampling points. Questionnaires as well as semi-structured interviews were employed for the study in order to test for the hypotheses sets out for the study. The data generated from field study was further processed using chi-square to ascertain whether there is significant effect of rainfall on mangrove productivity using multiple regressions. The results indicated that the computed F value of 0.873 is greater than the significant F value of 0.151 and this indicates that there is a significant effect of rainfall and climate variability on mangrove productivity in the study area. The result produces Pearson Chi-Square value of 275.673a, degree of freedom (df) of 24 and a P-value (2-sided) of 0.000 indicating that there is significant impact of mangrove on economic development in the study area
Evaluating the Pollution Levels and Ecological Risks of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Apapa Port in Lagos, South-western Nigeria
No full textThe coastal sediments of Apapa Port in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria were studied to determine the status of contamination due to the present of heavy metals and its effect on the ecosystem. The sediments samples were subjected to Particle Induce X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique analysis to determine heavy metals present in them. Ten (10) heavy metals were detected with which their concentrations ranged as Ti (2787.0 - 5672.9 mg/kg), Cr (95.4 - 285.9 mg/kg), Mn (124.8 - 526.7 mg/kg), Fe (20263.7 – 49953.7 mg/kg), Cu (8.0 – 13.4 mg/kg), Zn (280.1 – 1246.5 mg/kg), Rb (58.6 – 336.1 mg/kg), Sr (39.3 – 233.5 mg/kg), Zr (89.3 – 190.1 mg/kg), and Pb (13.3 – 31.1 mg/kg). The extent of contamination of the heavy metals was enumerated by comparing their concentrations with the USEPA guidelines, TEL and PEL. Different pollution indices such as enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI) were applied to estimate the level of toxicity imposed on the ecosystem by the detected heavy metals. These showed that the studied sediments were severely enriched with Zn at site 5 and moderately enriched with Cr and Rb at stations 5 and other respectively but the sum of all risk factors for those heavy metals is low. Statistical analysis such as the cluster analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were also employed to determine the relationships of those heavy metals with respect to their origin. These revealed strong positive and negative correlations among the heavy metals and are cluster in terms of similarities as (1) Ti-Fe-Mn (2) Rb-Pb (3) Sr (4) Cu-Zn-Cr-Zr. This studied area requires proper monitoring to avert increase in ecological risk factor due to anthropogenic influences. 
Role of Culture, Social and Religious Aspects in Achieving Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Sustainable Environmental Development
No full textThe contemporary global challenge of environmental degradation and biodiversity extinction has necessitated the urgent need to strengthen Postgraduate (PG) Education on climate change and sustainable environmental management. To achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDGS 3, 4, 11, and 13, a localized researches and innovations at Postgraduate Education is paramount. In addition to the established mitigation and adaptation practices, the cultural, social and religious practices of different locations should be factored into PG researches. The PG Thesis and Dissertation should step into investigating the cultural, social and religious practices of communities which have capacity to prevent, promote or mar climate change mitigation and sustainable development. This work highlighted the cultural, social and religious practices of a location: Ihitenansa community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Some of the practices that optimize natural resources on communal land are: Palm fruits are harvested every 28 days, Bamboos are harvested once in a year, Farming is done every four years, African Apples (Udara) are not plucked, Taboo to kill monkey and python and other practices, These practices promote biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation
Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution from Granite Quarrying in Akure, Nigeria
No full textThis study investigated the heavy metals pollution of granite quarrying activities in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Three quarries and a control site were selected for this study. Plants and soil samples were collected at 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 m away from the crushing points, while samples were collected away from roadside for control. Water samples were collected at just a point. Concentration of heavy metals in collected samples was determined using Buck Scientific Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer model 210 VGP. The mean total heavy metal contents in C. odorata and P. purpurem collected within 0 to 200 m showed that Pb, Fe, Zn, Cr Co and Cd contents were above the WHO permissible limit while only Pb content (190.8, 299.20 and 208.80 ppm) and Fe (7559.50, 13386.50 and 19019.50 ppm for Dortmond, Ebenezer and Samchase quarries respectively) were above the permissible limit in soil samples. Elevated Pb, Fe, Cr, and Ni were recorded in water samples collected from quarry sites while values recorded for control sites falls within the permissible limit except for the lead concentration of 0.10 ppm as against the maximum concentration of 0.05 ppm set by WHO. Zn, Mn, Cd and and Cu were not detected in all water samples. Higher pH values were also recorded in soil and water samples from quarry sites. This study has shown that quarrying introduces toxic heavy metals into nearby environment
Economic Contributions of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) among Rural Dwellers in Ethiope East and Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria
No full textNon Timber Forest Products have always served as life support for many rural dwellers, especially those who live within and around the forests; this study was carried out to determine the economic contributions of NTFPs to the livelihood of rural dwellers in Ethiope East and Ukwuani Local Government Areas of Delta State. Multi-stage random techniques was applied in the selection of 100 respondents. Data were obtained via well-structured questionnaires. Obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin and benefit cost ratio. Findings revealed that there was presence, bountiful abundance of NTFPs and male dominated the collection of the NTFPs in the study area. The modal age range of the respondents was between 20-30 years. This study indicated that most of the respondents got non-timber forest products from the market and most of the respondents’ collected/exploited non-timber forest products for household use and as income generation. Similarly, the research showed that majority of NTFPs exploited/collected were sold in bundles in the area under study. Also the study showed that NTFPs exploitation among rural household was a profitable agribusiness, Market price of other products was identified to be the major constraints to NTFPs