Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF KENAF (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) IN LEAD (Pb) CONTAMINATED SANDY LOAM SOIL OF MAIDUGURI NIGERIA
No full textA pot experiment was conducted to study the potentials of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as a phytoaccumulator of (Lead) Pb at different levels of artificial contamination in a laboratory. Pb was applied as lead nitrate- [Pb(NO3)2] at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mgkg-1 Pb. Kenaf was planted in each of the treated pots for ten (10) weeks, after which leaves, stems and roots samples were collected and analysed for Pb contents. The soil was analysed for physical and chemical properties before treatment/contamination and after 10 weeks of growth. The properties analysed included: pH, Electrical Conductivity, percent Organic Carbon, Exchangeable Acidity, Exchangeable Bases/cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), extractable and total Pb contents. Study revealed that kenaf tolerated Pb treated (contaminated) soils at all levels (0 mgkg-1 to 300 mgkg-1 Pb) and did not show toxicity symptoms. Soil properties treated with Pb at all levels generally did not change significantly. Kenaf could be recommended as a Phytoaccumulator for the remediation of soil Pb contamination. Therefore, more circles of growth are needed to effectively remediate these metal contaminants in soils by kenaf plant
MACROINVERTEBRATES AS BIOINDICATORS OF POINT SOURCE POLLUTION OF SAMBUL RIVER, KENYA
No full textWater pollution is a major global concern which calls for regular evaluation of levels of contamination of water bodies. It has been suggested that water borne infections account for over 14,000 people daily in the world. Point source pollution can be defined as contaminants from a single identifiable source. The major environmental concern by the residents around Sambul River is pollution of waters of Sambul River by effluent from Moi University sewage treatment plant (STP). Sambul River is the main source of water for both domestic and agricultural use among residents of Sambul area. This study focused on analysis of efficacy of the (sewage treatment plant) using macro-invertebrates as bio-indicators of contamination of waters of Sambul River. Purposive sampling design was used to select three sampling points; downstream of Sambul River where bio-treated sewage has mixed with waters of Sambul River, at point of effluent discharge to the river and upstream (control) of Sambul River where the river water does not mix with STP effluent. Triplicate water samples were collected at each sampling point bi-weekly and transported to the Laboratory for analysis. Sampling was done from May to August 2015. The impact of bio-treated effluent on the abundance of aquatic macro invertebrates at Sambul River was evaluated using Shannon- Wiener diversity index. The findings revealed that treated effluent had no significant effect on the aquatic macro invertebrate abundance at the receiving river, as demonstrated by Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and ANOVA. H-values were; upstream (H=2.504), wetland (H=2.4096) and downstream (H=2.371). High H-value indicates less number of species diversity while a lower value of H indicates a higher diversity of macro-invertebrates. Higher biodiversity is an indicator that the effluent from the STP is treated to recommended standard as required by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). Phosphate values for the different sampled points ranged from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 5.50 ± 0.15 mg/L. Mean phosphate level for upstream (control) was significantly lower than that of outlet (F4, 115 = 1125.73; p < 0.0001) and inlet (F4, 115 = 1125.73; p < 0.0001), but showed no significant differences from that of downstream (F4, 115 = 1125.73; p = 0.9931) and wetland (F4, 115 = 1125.73; p = 1.0000). The findings of this research are important to demonstrate to concerned parties, including the public and the government; NEMA that the effluent from Moi University STP is treated to expectation. This will return confidence to the public on consumption of water from Sambul River
ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 6.1 AND 6.2 IN RURAL SMALL COMMUNITIES OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThe United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) states that “access to safe water and sanitation and sound management of freshwater ecosystems are essential to human health and to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity”. Hence ways of improving provisions of water supply and sanitation in small communities form an important aspect in realizing the objective of this goal. To this end a survey of 326 households was conducted in some rural communities of Ondo State to assess the SDG 6 coverage. Geophysical surveys were also carried out to ascertain the most probable location for groundwater abstraction in the areas. 12% of the households had improved sanitation facilities, 44% had unimproved facilities while 44 percent defecate in the open fields and bushes. Only 12% of respondents used water from the central boreholes while 61 6% drink water from the River. From this study, it was found that provision of treated boreholes water with overhead storage tanks, safe water fetching point end establishment of water, sanitation and hygiene committee (WASHCOM), and training the WASHCOM will improve water supply and sanitation in the rural communities studied
COPPER ION ABSTRACTION FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING SUGAR INDUSTRY RESIDUAL AS AN ADSORBENT
No full textIn this study, removal of copper from aqueous solution by using a sugar industry residual has been reported. The adsorbent material from the sugar industry residual was used as such without any modification or treatment. The adsorbent was characterized by SEM analysis to identify the changes in the surface which indicates the abstraction of metal ion (copper) from aqueous solution. The adsorption experiments were performed by using batch experiments. Adsorption capacity of the adsorbent with the copper was determined as the function of pH of the solution, initial concentration of the solution and contact time. The results indicate that the adsorbent holds great potential for the elimination of copper from their aqueous solution. Hence the sugar industry residual have been investigated as a new cost effective adsorbent for the removal of copper from their aqueous solution
FLORISTIC FEATURES AND ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF AUN EL-JAWAA (CENTRAL SAUDI ARABIA)
No full textThe flora and ethnobotanical features of Aun El-Jawaa in Saudi Arabia have been recently studied. 88 species representing 30 families of vascular plants were recorded. More than 56% of species observed were Annual herbs. The major plant families that contributed in the formation of vegetation of the area in question were Asteraceae (17 species) followed by Amaranthaceae (12 species), Brassicaceae (10 species), Fabaceae and Boraginaceae (7&6 respectively), Plantaginaceae and Zygophyllaceae with three species,whereas, 8 families are represented by two species, while fifteen families each was represented by only one species. Therophytes exhibited the maximum number of species (54.54%), followed by Chaemophytes (26.13%), Phanerophytes (7.95%), Hemicryptophytes (4.54%), Cryptophytes (3.4%) and Geophytes (2.27%) while the least frequent life form class was parasitic. Chorological analysis revealed that Saharo-Arabian constitute the main bulk of the total flora of the studied area. In addition an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in different localities of Aun El-Jawaa, parts used and the medicinal uses of the recorded flora were also described
EFFECTS OF SABOTAGE IN OIL AND GAS SECTOR IN NIGERIA
No full textThis study examined the effects of sabotage in Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria. Primary and secondary sources of data were accessed. In-depth interviews were held. The questionnaire was used. Opinions of people were used in the questionnaire validation. Each community agreed that they were vulnerable to sabotage. In Ikot Edibon (33.3%) were vulnerable, 82.2% were vulnerable in Ibeno, 77.8% in Onna, 72.5% at Esit Eket, 82.6% at Oron, 73.3% at Ekakprame, 97.7% at Eket, 95.2% at Uzere and 86.7% at Bomadi. In all, 77.5% of the residents in oil producing communities indicate that the pipeline were vulnerable to sabotage while 22.5% held contrary opinion during the period of study. The data collected were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The explained variance for factors 1 and 2 are 4.177656 and 2.822344 respectively while the joint effect of this result from the Eigen value correlation matrix explains 100% which indicates that the isolated factors accounts for 100% of sabotage. Based on the findings, recommendations were proffered
WATER QUALITY APPRAISAL AND ITS EFFECT ON AQUATIC LIFE AND ECOTOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF LAKE BOSOMTWE IN THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA
No full textA research was conducted at Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to assess the performance of the lake with respect to temporal variations of selected biological characteristics, physicochemical characteristics and correlation analysis of the biological characteristics. Sixty (60) water samples were collected from ten (10) identified locations on the lake from 2013 to 2015 at the peak of rainy and dry seasons. The results indicated that the average values for colour, temperature, pH, Alkalinity, hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Phosphate, Nitrate, Arsenic, Zinc, Copper and Lead were 52.00Pt-co, 24.80oC, 7.22, 46.42, 53.50, 4.01, 8.08, 1560, 0.79, 0.11, 0.07, 0.10, 0.14 and 0.04mg/l respectively. All the values were within the range of World Health Organization water quality guidelines for aquatic life and recreational purpose. There were also a gradual increase of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) showing that the demand of oxygen for aquatic life was being affected which will make the water unsuitable for aquatic life in the near future. Finally, BOD5 also showed strong positive correlation with COD and negative with DO and pH. The deteriorating nature of the lake as a result of gradual increasing concentrations of BOD5 and COD should be a concern to the authorities and managers of the lake
COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGES ON WETLAND AREAS OF THE LAKE CHAD BASIN IN AFRICA
No full textIn the Lake Chad area, more than 30 million people earn their livelihood on activities carried out in the lake and its catchment which includes important wetlands and floodplains covering 966,955 km2. In addition, Lake Chad wetlands play important environmental roles in regulating annual water supply, in recharging ground-water, and in helping to control flooding. The Lake Chad is one of the most productive fresh water systems in Africa. Before the back-to-back drop in water volume, the Lake Chad basin was an important economic region in Africa. Today, the basin has lost 90% of its pastoral ecosystem to the degradation of the Lake. This study examines the various changes that have resulted from the ecological and socio-economic stress on the wetland areas of the Lake Chad basin, and the communities’ response and efforts to sustain development in the area. Along with literature review, field interviews and observations on the various aspects of the environment, a total of 360 respondents were sampled among the fishing, farming, and livestock communities in Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger all within the Lake Chad region to represent the regional economic diversity of the environment. The results of the study reveal that the over 90% decrease in the oroginal volume of water in the lake, a general decline in rainfall, and episodes of drought have caused the disappearance of some wildlife species, neessiatating changes in habitat as well as fauna and flora composition, and resulltant presence of vegetation growth and sand in the lake, leading to a decline in asssociated socio-economic activity. Also social and psychological stress, and increased degradation of the lake environment due to pressure on the available wetland resources, have been identified as the major challenges of environmental change in the Lake Chad basin. The communities have adopted various environmental, social and economic measures to overcome the stress but need institutional and technological reforms and support to sustain emerging socio-economic development efforts and stem the environmental crisis currently prevailing in the region
URBAN CLIMATOLOGY IN BRAZIL: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE METHODOLOGY OF THE URBAN CLIMATE SYSTEM
No full textThe urban explosion is a worldwide phenomenon, but it is in the underdeveloped countries that the problems of infrastructure are aggravated. Although it is still an ongoing process, it is found that the world\u27s largest urban agglomerations are growing at a rapid pace in developing countries, such as Brazil. The cities are complex systems, characterized as extremely dynamic organisms, susceptible to the entrance of flows of energy and matter. The growing importance of urban areas in demographic, economic, and cultural terms means that the environmental problems generated by these centers are increasingly a priority for researchers from different areas since such problems can directly affect the quality of life of the people living there. The studies of urban climate are of great importance since they seek to understand atmospheric different dynamics generated by the urban nuclei and their influence on the population of the cities. So, this article, through a bibliographical revision, seeks to briefly present how was structured the methodology of the Urban Climate System Monteiro, [1], which later became a landmark for the development of urban climatology in Brazil, also presenting some of the most relevant works developed in the last decades in the country by researchers from different areas
THE REGIONAL BIOCLIMATIC SYSTEM AND ITS EVOLUTIONARY ROLE ON THE INSULAR-ARC STAGE OF CONTINENTAL BIOSPHERE FORMATION (BY THE EXAMPLE OF SOUTH-KURIL ISLAND RIDGE)
No full textIt was shown that on the island-arc stage of continental biosphere development in the North-West Pacific local geomorphological conditions created the centers of origin of diverse phytocoenological structures of the higher (zonal-regional) level at the initial stages of continental biosphere development. The causal mechanisms of the general descent of the boundaries of altitudinal climatic zones and the southward shift of natural zones on insular extratropical Neo-Pacific compared to the neighboring continents, are discussed. The phenomenal feature of bioclimatic system at the stage of insular landscape formation is the direct subordination of phytobiota to vertical hydrothermal gradients. It forms a system of altitudinal zonality already within a low-mountain landscape. An exceptionally important backbone role of forest phytobiota in the establishment and development of young volcanic landscapes was demonstrated. The optimizing strategy program for the development of plant communities, which is aimed at the maximum biomass formation on forest island-arc landscapes, is much more marked compared to their zonal analogs on the neighboring continent. At the same time, an exceptionally high percentage of green mass in the structure of production results in the acceleration of biological cycle. All the above ensures the survival of insular ecosystems of the boreal Neo-Pacific under unfavorable conditions of "cold" oceanicity