Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AT GAS FIRED ELECTRIC POWERED PLANT: A CASE OF KARACHI, SINDH, PAKISTAN
No full textThis paper aims to provide an overview of current solid waste management practices at gas fired powered plant in Karachi, Pakistan. During the annual maintenance activities at gas powered plant it is obvious that different type of waste is generated such as metal waste including, aluminum, copper, iron and other metals, electronic waste, non-metal waste such as cotton rags, wood, paper, hand gloves and other miscellaneous waste. Three gas powered plants located in Karachi were surveyed and interviews were conducted to comprehend the existing practices of solid waste management there. Waste disposal and storage scraps yard of the selected power plants were also visited to study the process of waste segregation, reuse and recycling and final disposal. The results of this study indicate that highest amount of solid waste generated form selected power plants includes the heavy metals; aluminum, copper and iron comprising about 15% each. Cotton rags/ gloves, rubber and plastic make 11%, 6% and 4% respectively of the total waste stream. Study indicate that out of the total waste generated, approximately 70% is being disposed to scrap yard which is the source of revenue collection and remaining 30% is being lost as it is not being collected, segregated, and disposed as per the current practice of gas-powered plants. Study also finds that the waste that is currently not being disposed properly, can result in revenue increase of almost 27% (metal waste), 0.63% (cotton rags/hand gloves) and almost 4% (miscellaneous waste)
SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF TRACE METALS IN THE WATERS FROM THE LAGOON AREA II OF ÉBRIÉ SYSTEM (CÔTE D\u27IVOIRE)
No full textThis study was carried out over the period from June 2019 to May 2020. Its main objective was to monitor the seasonal dynamics of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Hg, Pb, Ni and Zn in the waters of the lagoon area II of Ébrié system. To this end, the study of the seasonal dynamics of the temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, transparency, dissolved oxygen content and TOC content of these waters, as well as the mean depth of this ecosystem, was also studied with the aim of approaching their implication in this process. With the exception of the TOC content determined according to NF EN 1484 standard and the trace metals contents obtained according to MA 203-Met ICP-MSMS standard in the lab, the other physical and chemical parameters were determined in situ in the water samples collected. The trace metals contents of these waters decrease from its dry season to its flood season. The marine water inputs would favour a relatively high presence of these trace metals in them in their dry and rainy seasons, due to their basic character and their relatively high transparency and salinity in these seasons. The waters of Comoé river would partially disadvantage this process in its flood season, due to the slightly acidic character and low transparency and salinity of these waters in this season. Over all the study period, the relatively high temperature, conductivity, and oxygen content of these waters would have been conducive to the presence of these trace metals in dissolved form in them through the decomposition of organic matter. The relatively important organic matter content of these waters and the relatively shallow depth of this ecosystem would have disadvantaged this process over all the study period
URBAN GREEN SPACES ACCESSIBILITY: THE CURRENT STATE IN NIAMEY CITY, NIGER
No full textThe high rate of urbanization noticed at the global, regional, and national level, increases the land, energy, and water demand with adverse effects on the environment, thereby decreasing residents\u27 wellbeing and resilience. In this regard, the urban green spaces are perceived as one of the means to make the cities more resilient and sustainable to face climate change. However, the urban green spaces are not accessible for the majority of citizens in many African cities, especially in Niamey where the most important green space i.e. green belt has deteriorated. Therefore, this study aims to analyze urban green spaces accessibility according to WHO minimum standard in Niamey city to get insight into their current state. For this, qualitative and quantitative analyses are conducted from the per capita green index, the distance to green spaces, and the urban green spaces quality aspects using the primary, secondary, and geospatial data, and the personal field observations. The results revealed that the urban green spaces per capita in Niamey city is equal to 6.04 m2 less than the minimum standard of 9 m2 defined by WHO; thereby the demand gap is estimated at 4,043,143.92 m2. This per capita green index differs from one commune to another; with respectively 0.155m2, 0.242 m2 , 2.30 m2 , 21 m2, and 0.008 m2 for commune I, II, III, IV, and V, meaning that the urban green spaces are unevenly accessible across the city. We also found that 58.46% of the respondents do not reach the urban green spaces within 15 minutes of walking distance. This situation coupled with the urban green spaces\u27 quality aspects proved their bad condition. The study suggested that to enhance urban green spaces accessibility and thereby improve the current state of the urban green spaces, the city authorities should enhance the investment in greening projects, create a synergy of action in greening projects, and fight against corruption in parcel allotment
QUANTIFICATION OF IN-TRANSIT CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE IN MICRO-ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION FROM GLOBAL URBANIZATION– ACCESSING ITS EFFECTS ON PUBLIC WELFARE, GUATEMALAN
No full textCarbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, yet poisonous gas that is emitted through natural and anthropogenic activities. In developing countries, such as Guatemala, a positive correlation between serious respiratory diseases and carbon monoxide emissions in the air is usually observed.
Rapid urbanization of major cities with little to no legislature to regulate air pollution is thought to be a main source of carbon monoxide. To quantify in-transit levels of carbon monoxide, a venture was taken to Guatemala City, Guatemala’s most populated city, where levels of carbon monoxide were measured with an Easy Log USB to access the threat of these elevated CO levels. The study revealed that an enormous amount of CO was present in the city, especially in highly populated areas with motorized vehicles (up to mean level of 15ppm and peak level of ~95ppm). CO levels in these areas were high throughout the day due to the extreme lack of proper ventilation systems and environmental bylaws. For Guatemala to prosper economically, socially, and safely, proper legislation and systems must be placed to monitor the emission of carbon monoxide as well as to mitigate the effects brought by it
EFFECT OF CRUDE OIL POLLUTION OF SOIL ON THE VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF PLANTAIN (Musa paradisiaca)
No full textPlant growth is affected by genetic, climatic and edaphic factors among others. Soil pollution may adversely affect biota by limiting growth and survival of plants. The research was carried out to investigate the potential effect of crude oil pollution of soil on the growth of two cultivars of Musa paradisiaca. Crude oil was added to agricultural soil on which plantain suckers were planted. Growth was then periodically assessed in terms of height, stem girth and total leaf area. Plant height was significantly reduced in the two cultivars grown on polluted soil in comparison with controls grown on unpolluted soil. There was also an insignificant decrease in stem girth in plants grown on polluted soil. Total leaf area increased for French plantain planted on crude oil contaminated soil more than control. For False Horn plantain however, the control had greater leaf area than those on polluted soil. The rates of increase in height, stem girth and leaf area were not uniform with time for the two cultivars. French plantain survived the stress caused by soil pollution better than False Horn plantain, although, both plantain cultivars on polluted soil still grew appreciably in comparison with controls. They may therefore be useful in remediating soils polluted by crude oil spillage
EFFECTS OF WATERSHED LAND OCCUPATION AND LAND USE ON THE TROPHIC STATE OF TWO SHALLOW LAKES
No full textThe increase in external phosphorus inputs has as main consequence the cultural eutrophication, currently regarded as one of the primary threats to water bodies. Anthropogenic activities involving the watershed use and occupation of land can accelerate this process. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of land use and land cover on the trophic status of two shallow lakes (lakes Paó and Santa Lúcia, Paraíba state, Brazil). Samples of water and sediments were collected for 6 months at three sampling stations in the lakes. The land-use and land-cover mapping was performed through visual interpretation of satellite images with high spatial resolution. Lake Paó remained eutrophic, with a low euphotic zone (ZEU≤1), while Lake Santa Lucia, oligotrophic and with clear waters (ZEU≥1), throughout the study period. The advanced eutrophication of Lake Paó was related to high sewage inputs from nonpoint sources, since the urban/ built-up area corresponded to 37.63% of its riparian zone (the lakeshore), whereas in Lake Santa Lucia to only 2.43%. Our results evidenced the importance of maintaining phosphorus at low concentrations and a minimum of riparian vegetation for reducing the vulnerability to eutrophication and thus preserving water quality
INVESTIGATION FOR DEFORESTATION DRIVERS IN LUME DISTRICT, OROMIA REGION, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
No full textIn the globe, there are a broad range of factors, causing forest cover change. Currently, forests of Lume district are under serious problem due to both direct and indirect drivers. Thus, the major aim of this study is to in- vestigate significantly encountered driving forces usually in the district. Qualitative data were collected using key informant interviews, household surveys and focus group discussion for determining the driving forces of the change. EXCEL and R software were used for processing and analyzing data obtained from participants. From the result of socio-economic data, income and land holding size have negative impact on forest cover change. The findings from the study revealed that both proximate and underlying drivers were a main cause of forest cover change in the study area. Accordingly, Agricultural land expansion (314), urban expansion and settlement area (244) and fuel wood and charcoal (145) were the major proximate drivers observed in the site. Moreover, the finding of the study confirmed that, high rate of population growth (39%), landlessness (25%), lack of awareness (19%) and weak law enforcement (17%) were the most commonly underlying drivers of forest cover change demonstrated in the district. Advanced land use policy, diversified job opportunity, adaptation of new technologies, raising awareness of stakeholders and implementation of existed law enforcement are highly suggested to use limited resources and fulfilling the demand of growing population sustainably
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD IN DELINEATING GROUNDWATER POTENTIALS OF IKARE AKOKO, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
No full textThis investigation involves Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) technique to detect the subsurface conductive zones as the groundwater potential zones within Ikare Akoko, southwestern Nigeria. Fifteen vertical electrical sounding were conducted using the SAS 1000 Terrameter equipment in E-W direction across the site using schlumberger array and horizontal profiling to narrow down the area of interest. Possible groundwater flow paths identified as conductive zones. The results showed that the conductive zones has the highest point with good aquifer apparent resistivity values with relatively thick overburden which were the major factors in determining the groundwater potential in the study area while those carried out on the non-conductive zones has the lowest point on the graph and were characterized by poor indication to groundwater potential of the area. The probable station more suitable for borehole construction in the study area were stations VES 1, 2, and 3 depicting high aquiferous bearing zones
ASSESSMENT OF AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME AND COMMUNITY PERCEPTION IN GUMEL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, JIGAWA STATE
No full textThis study assessed afforestation programme and community perception in Gumel Local Government area of Jigawa state. Field data collection was done using structured questionnaire and Landsat satellite imageries. A total of two hundred (200) questionnaire were distributed to the 200 sample size drawn from the sample area using a multi-stage sampling design technique. In a similar way, Landsat data were collected for a period of thirty (30) years using Landsat TM for 1988 and 1998 with Landsat ETM for 2008 and landsat-8 operational land imager (OLI) for 2018 using Earthexplorer. A 30m by 30m resolution Landsat image of the study area was obtained from NASA website. The images were downloaded from the Global Land Cover Facility of the University of Maryland (GLCF, 2018) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and spatially referenced in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection with datum World Geodetic System (WGS). The images were extracted to Tiff formats for processing and classification using maximum likelihood classifier in Idrisi Selva. The collected data were subjected to analysis such as mean, simple percentage, graphs and tables. Results shows that between the year 1988 to 2018, afforestation in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State increases significantly due to the success of the afforestation programme. It was however recommended that Government agencies in charge of forestry activity are thereby encouraged to put up measures in ensuring the avoidance of forest encroachment activities so as to ensure abundance trees and land covers
DETERMINANTS OF LOCAL COMMUNITY’S WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR FOREST CONSERVATION IN EVERGREEN AFROMONTANE ECOSYSTEM OF SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA
No full textHuman beings largely depend on ecosystem services obtained from nature. Here, we examined the local communities’ willingness to pay for improving forest conservation and the determinants in southwest Ethiopia. For this, firstly, the peasant associations were randomly sampled; one from the edge of the forests and three others each at 5km differences, secondly, from each peasant association, 30 sample households were randomly selected for questionnaire survey. The first sample household was selected by throwing the stick to the sky and following the direction of the stick head. We tested the effects of the socioeconomic variables on the households’ willingness to pay for forest conservation employing a logistic regression model analysis with probit function using aod package and the effect of locations of households from forest edges on the amount of bids of willingness per month was analyzed using one-way ANOVA within R statistical program. The results revealed that 104 (86.7%) of the households accepted the arbitrarily offered initial bid. The mean monthly willingness to pay is 1.1 (range: 0.36–4.46) USD. The educational level, income status, whether trained or not on the importance of forest conservation, land possession status and locations of the households from forest edges were the determinants of the local community’s willingness to pay for conservation (P<0.01). The bids offered by households for forest conservation increased with increasing the monthly income was higher at the intermediate location from forest edges. Besides the factors such as education, income and land possession, training the farmers can enhance the communities\u27 commitment to forest biodiversity conservation. Our overall results suggest that awareness creation training and enhancing the livelihood options of the local communities may play substantial roles in increasing the willingness to pay of the households for improving the conservation of the sheka forest in southwest Ethiopia