Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES IN THE SURFACE WATER QUALITY ABOVE GUARANI AQUIFER: A CASE STUDY IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
No full textThis study evaluated the influence of anthropogenic activities in water quality from rural and urban areas in Southern Brazil, above the Guarani aquifer. Water samples were submitted to microbial and physical-chemical analyses and Trophic State Index calculation. Results showed high levels of total phosphorus, nitrite, and E. coli in the urban area, and consequently a high Trophic State Index, indicating severe stress. In rural areas, elevated nitrate concentrations were found to be related to soil fertilization practices. This study reinforces the alert on the impact of riparian forest recuperation and wastewater treatment on water quality, especially in areas above important aquifer systems such as the Guarani
ASSESSING LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING APPROACH IN DAMATURU YOBE STATE
No full textThis paper assessed the Changes in land cover distribution in Damaturu the state capital of Yobe state, Nigeria over 26-year period. The study used satellite imagery of Landsat TM (1988), Landsat 8 2014 Landsat and ETM+ (2003) for the study area and aerial photograph for 2008 as well as population data. The satellite imageries undergo general pre-processing procedures, classification and eventually change detection using ERDAS Imagine 2013, the imageries and maps were also digitized using ArcMap 10.0 GIS software for analysis. The results show that vegetation covered 13.37 square kilometres of the land area and constituted 44.54% in 1988 and 7.01 square kilometer which represent 20.90% in 2003 which also constituted the most extensive land cover type in the study area in 1988. The built-up areas have increased from 1.59 square kilometer which is 5.29% in 1988 to 5.38 square kilometer which represent 16.04% in 2003. The change was however, attributed to the increasing population and economic growth that put pressure on the available land resources. This paper highlights the land cover/use types, the change over the years and the causes of the change. The significance of remote sensing and GIS approach in mapping, monitoring, detecting and controlling change were also highlighted
A GIS – BASED FLOOD RISK MAPPING: A CASE STUDY IN PRU DISTRICT OF GHANA
No full textThe incidence of torrential rains and their effects on river discharge normally result in flooding within communities along river banks and also in certain parts of the communities having poor drainage systems and land forms. In recent years, advances in Remote Sensing technology has made flood zoning studies more efficient. In this study, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques were integrated for the first time to map out flood risk zones in Pru District of Ghana. The SRTM 90 m DEM was used to produce the flood risk map of the District and classified the flood risk zones into: high, medium and low. In accordance with the extent used, it was realized that 3,246.26 km² (52.68%) of the land area fall within the high flood risk zone, 754.54 km² (12.24%) within medium flood risk zone and 2,161.79 km² (35.08%) within the low flood risk zone. Communities badly hit by floods that have been classified as high flood risk zones were mainly located in the North-Eastern and Central parts of the District
HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITY OF SURFACE WATER IN BIBIANI A MINING ENCLAVE IN GHANA
No full textThe quality of water is a powerful environmental determinant of health, increased productivity and enhanced economic development. Levels of As, Fe, Pb, Zn, and Cu were determined in both water and sediment samples within ten communities in Bibiani and its environs using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results for most of the physiochemical parameters determined were below the WHO permissible limits with the exception of colour and turbidity. Cd, Pb, and Zn in water were below detection whereas As were in the range of 0.006 to 0.047 mg/l and Fe below detection to 2.00 mg/l. Pamuso had the highest As the level of 0.480 mg/l whilst Pataboso recorded the least value of 0.006 mg/l. Fe in two communities were above the limit but Cu was within the WHO limit. The mean levels of heavy metals in sediment obtained were in the range of: As (1.451 to 4.220); Cd (below detection to 1.104 mg/kg); Cu (below detection to 3.951 mg/kg); Fe (46.215 to 549.450 mg/kg); Zn (0.351 to 2.350 mg/kg) whilst Pb was below detection. The HI results in six communities were above the guidance value of 1.0 for adults and in all samples for children which is likely to pose risk to human health. Moreover, the CRing for As was above the USEPA guidance value of 1 x 10-6 in all the communities which imply consumers are likely to be exposed to cancer risk. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cu and Zn in the sediments were lower than the corresponding effect range low (ERL) values in the sediment quality guidelines and could have no adverse effects on aquatic organisms
EFFECT OF NATURAL WEATHERING ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF Nauclea diderrichii WOOD
No full textEffect of natural weathering on the physical properties of Nauclea diderrichii wood was investigated in this study. Twenty four wood samples were obtained from four mature trees of Nauclea diderrichii. Physical properties investigated include specific density, texture and weight. Main changes in wood samples of N. diderrichii after six months of exposure to weathering factors include discoloration, surface checking, raised grain and the eventual loss of fibres. 4.89% and 3.86% of wood materials from sapwood and heartwood respectively were lost after exposure as some wood materials were eroded away during exposure. The study also showed that average values of moisture content were reduced from the initial value of 16.81% before exposure to 12.40% after six month of exposure. Wood degradation and loss of aesthetic value resulting from discoloration and loss of fibres from wood samples were attributed to prolonged exposure to weathering factors such as rainfall, humidity, temperature wind and sunlight. The adverse effects of weathering on the wood therefore indicated that wood materials should not be left for too long in the open before use, and that wood exposed to rainfall, humidity, et.c before application of preservatives or coatings stand the risk of degradation before protection. The study therefore recommended that wood protection against natural weathering be commenced immediately after the lumber is brought to the log yard as this step might reduce waste in the regions of wood degraded
EFFECTS OF LOW DIRECT ELECTRIC CURRENT ON AEROBIC BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF URBAN WASTEWATER
No full textWastewater is one of the principal source of organic and inorganic contamination of the environment. It is because of its complex composition (proteins, carbohydrates, oils, urea and synthetic organic compounds). Application of electric current in wastewater treatment processes has become, nowadays, a phenomenon of increasing importance. In this work, we proposed to study, in vitro, the effect of low electric current treatment on the performances of the microorganisms present in activated sludge obtained from the aeration basin of a wastewater treatment plant located in Tizi-Ouzou (Algeria). The trials were carried out by varying two parameters: The distance between electrodes (d = 2 cm, d = 6 cm) and the density of the electric current (D =1.4 mA/cm2, D =3.8 mA/cm2, D = 7 mA/cm2). The results obtained showed a significant improvement in the abatement rate of the two following parameters: turbidity and suspended matters, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach used in this study. Regarding the results inherent to the bacteriological parameters, it was apparent that electric current affected the composition of the microbial flora of the activated sludge used. Indeed, with the exception of sulfite-reducing clostridia count, it was observed that the numbers of the whole germs under consideration, significantly decreased as a result of direct electric current application
IMPACT OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ON GROUND WATER QUALITY IN AND AROUND THE SOLID WASTE DUMPING SITE OF VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDRAPRADESH, INDIA
No full textThe physiochemical analysis of groundwater in the environs of dumping yard, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh have been carried out in order to access suitability of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. The improper disposal of municipal solid waste causes deterioration of water quality in and around waste disposal sites. The toxic contaminants of municipal solid waste reached in shallow and deep aquifers though leaching. The methodology consist of field survey, collection of ground water samples and analysis of physiochemical parameters of water quality. The physiochemical data were compared with Bureau of Indian Standard (IS: 10500, 2012) of drinking water quality. Totally 11 water samples were collected at dumping yard and areas around dumping yard within 5 km radius during March 2016. The result showed that the measured parameter conductivity, TDS, Cl, total hardness, SO4, NO3, F, Na, K have crossed maximum permissible limit prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards BIS standard for drinking water quality and this indicated ground water quality has been severely contaminated due to improper disposal of municipal solid waste
IDENTIFICATION, USE AND CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE WEST-ALGERIAN STEPPE (CASE OF THE WILAYA OF SAÏDA)
No full textAn Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted in the West Algerian (Region of Saida) steppe. It was made in order to establish the catalogue of medicinal plants and to gather information about the therapeutic uses practised by the local population in the study area.
The results have helped to identify 31 medicinal plants which represent 20 families, including the Asteraceae and the Lamiaceae. They study fond that the foliage and the whole plant are the frequently used plant part and most of the remedies are prepared as a decoction and infusion. In terms of the diseases treated, the treatment of disorders of the digestive tract occupy first place with 22%, followed by the treatment of the respiratory system (15%) and diseases of the blood (13%).
The results are a very valuable source of information for the study area and the medicinal flora in the Algerian steppe. They could be a database for further research particularly in the areas of phytochemistry and Pharmacology while contributing immensely in future exploration of new natural
THE PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF THE MATORRAL OF THE SOUTH-EAST SLOPE OF TLEMCEN (WESTERN ALGERIA)
No full textThe present work was carried out at the level of the Matorral south-east of Tlemcen North-West Algeria, to meet this objective 150 surveys, were conducted using the phytosociological method of Braun-Blanquet.
Numerical Classifications ascending hierarchical (CAH) allowed us to identify five 5 groups marked by the infiltration of Quercetea ilicis, Pistacio - Rhamnetalia alaterni, Rosmarinetea officinalis, Stellarietea mediae and Tuberarietea guttatae which show that ecological conditions have really changed, led to the gradual disappearance of the vegetation cover
METAL POLLUTION INDEX AND GIS MODELLING OF SOME TRACE METALS IN WATER, SEDIMENT AND Lutjanus dentatus FROM QUA IBOE RIVER ESTUARY, SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA
No full textOne of the largest crude oil production facilities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is located in the lower reach of Qua Iboe river estuary. It has history of frequent oil spills and pipeline vandalization which results in severe effect on the aquatic ecosystem. This study was carried out to determine the geometric mean of the investigated metals in each location and mapping of trace metal pollution index levels based on sampled data and its classification into risk areas using geographic information system (GIS). The metal pollution index (MPI) of the investigated metals was calculated using model proposed by USEPA while the pollution maps showing the visual representation of the pollution status of different sampling sites was created using GIS modeling technique of Arc map 9.2. The range for the MPI values investigated in the dry season was as follows: water (0.180-0.372), sediment (0.55-2.98), Lutjanus dentatus (0.102-0.295) while the result for the wet season was: water (0.027-0.324), sediment (0.65-2.95), Lutjanus dentatus (0.036-0.273). The sampling sites close to the oil processing facilities recorded higher total metal content (MPI) values compared to the control sites. Risk assessment from the pollution map revealed very high risk zones around Douglas and Stubbs creeks. The findings can be linked to the presence of anthropogenic pollution sources in these locations. Therefore, proper clean-up of the lower reach of Qua Iboe River estuary to minimize the cumulative health risk from trace metal pollution in the environment is recommended