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Heavy Metal Status of Major Vegetable Farmsoils in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria
No full textSoils in developing areas have been confirmed by researchers to be
contaminated with heavy metals which are a major category of
pollutants. Previous projects had been carried out to ascertain
different levels of heavy metals in soils but this paper targets heavy
metals and degree of pollution of major vegetable farm soils in Ilorin
metropolis, Kwara State, Northern Nigeria. Therefore, this work aimed
at determining the; concentrations of total heavy metals (HMs) and the
pollution index of the major vegetable farm soils. Total cadmium (Cd),
copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in soils were determined by acid digestion
and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method. Data generated were
subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and mean separated using
Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% significance. HMs in soils
were: Cd (0.00-4.67), Cu (1.71-30.08) and Pb (1.29-82.00) mg/kg with pH
range of 6.62-9.33 and pollution index range of Cd (0.00-2.90), Cu
(0.86- 11.72) and Pb (0.70-14.30). Some soils showed elevated
concentration of Cd and Pb higher than the recommended permissible
\u2013 limit (Cd=1.00 mg/kg, Pb=70.00mg/kg) with pollution index of
HMs ranged from low pollution to very strong pollution (0.00\ub10.00-
14.30\ub11.77). The study therefore, suggested that there could be a
risk of Cd and Pb associated diseases on the consumption of vegetables
planted on some of these soils
Heavy Metal Uptake and Bioaccumulation by Mangrove Grab ( Goniopsis pelli ) from used Drilling Mud, Niger Delta, Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out to evaluate some heavy metal uptake and
bioaccumulation in the meat, egg and shell of G. pelli from used
drilling mud. The experimental approach involved the exposure of ten of
the test organism G. pelli to six acute concentrations of drilling mud
representing 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% for 96 hours in
three replicates after the range finding test was conducted to
determine the LC50. From the LC50, the test organism was further
exposed to four sub-lethal concentrations of drilling mud (0%, 5%, 10%
and 15%) for 21 days to evaluate the heavy metal uptake by the test
organism. the result showed that heavy metal uptake increased in the
order of meat (<0.001-2.36\ub10.12), shell
(<0.001-3.31\ub10.19) and egg (<0.001-0.54\ub10.05) when
compared with those in control tank. Copper was highest (3.31\u3bcg/g)
in the shell and lowest (0.26\u3bcg/g) in the egg; zinc was highest
(2.36\u3bcg/g) in the meat and lowest (0.22\u3bcg/g) in the shell;
chromium was highest (0.12\u3bcg/g) in the meat and lowest
(0.06\u3bcg/g) in the egg; cadmium was highest (0.2\u3bcg/g) in the
shell and lowest (0.001\u3bcg/g) in the egg while lead had equal value
(<0.001) in the meat, shell and egg of the test organism. This could
pose a very serious health challenge to the consumers of G. pelli and
other aquatic fishery resources if nothing is done to ensure the best
practice in drilling activities in other to avoid pollution of the
water bodies through drilling
Geochemical Appraisal of the Mamu Shales Exposed around Igodor in the Benin Flank of the Anambra Basin, Nigeria
No full textThe Auchi area of Edo state which lies within the Benin flank of the
Anambra Basin host shaly sediment exposures that have been classified
by previous researches as units of the Mamu Formation. This study
evaluated samples of this sediment from Igodor near Auchi for its
geochemical and mineralogical properties, and interpreted its,
depositional environment and geotectonic setting. In order to achieve
this, field studies were carried out and representative samples
obtained for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
analyses of major oxides, trace and rare earth elements. X-Ray
Diffraction analysis was also carried out to determine the
mineralogical composition. Some of the minerals determined were
Aragonite and galena. Binary plots, triplots and elemental ratio plots
including SiO2/, Al2O3, Th/Sc, Th/Co and La/Sc , Th-Sc-Zr, and the
abundance of Cr, Ni were employed to determine the provenance. The
concentration of detrital indicators such as SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2, with
averages of 51.95, 25.34 and 1.39 respectively, indicate high detrital
influx into the Benin Flank of the Anambra basin. SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of
1.80-2.20, indicate that the shales were made up of pure kaolinite. The
Ni and Cr abundance indicated a mafic and felsic provenance for the
sediments, however, Th/Sc, Th/Co and La/Sc ratios show that the
provenance was predominantly felsic, while the Th-Sc-Zr triplot shows
that the depositional setting was passive
Effect of Neem, Siam Weed and Vetiver Oils on Physiological Reactions and Fitness of House Fly, Musca domestica L
No full textInsecticidal activities of hexane extracts of leaves and roots of siam
weed and vetiver, and roots of neem were assessed against house fly,
Musca domestica L. Mortality test was conducted using serial
concentrations 20%, 10%, 5% and 2.5% of extracted oils while
behavioural orientation of house fly to oil odour, antioviposition
effect of oil toward the insects, biochemical reactions in treated
flies and fitness of offspring were determined using 20% oil
concentration. House fly mortality varied significantly with plant
species and part of plant extracted (P < 0.001), concentration
applied (P < 0.001) and time post-exposure (P < 0.001). All
tested plant extracts showed potential as good control agents with
average mortality ranging from 59-74%. However, significantly lower
median lethal values (LC50 and LT50) separated vetiver as the most
toxic plant against the insect pest. The plant oils repelled house
flies (93-100%), reduced the number of larvae that hatched from laid
eggs, lowered adult emergence and caused a significant reduction in
size and weight of offspring. On the contrary, exposure to plant oils
did not alter offspring sex ratio. In comparison to untreated house
flies, plant oils induced biochemical stress in poisoned cohorts as
evidenced in significant deviation of digestive enzyme (\u3b1- and
\u3b2- amylases, lipase) activity and concentrations of detoxifying
enzyme (glutathione-S-transferase), neurochemical enzyme
(acetylcholinesterase) and energy metabolism biomolecules (total
protein). Implications of obtained results for non-chemical control
strategies are discussed
Effect of Plant Extract Combinations on Some Bacterial Pathogens
No full textIncrease in antimicrobial resistance coupled with successful treatment
of various diseases with herbal medications has triggered the upsurge
in research geared towards harnessing the medicinal potentials of
various plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical
composition of Bryophyllum pinnatum, Ocimum gratissimum, Jatropha
curcas and Ficus exasperata and their combined antibacterial activity
on Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi , Staphylococcus aureus , and
Klebsiella pneumonia. Plant leaves were air\u2013dried, extracted with
ethyl-acetate and water with subsequent qualitative analyses for
phytochemical compounds. Bacterial pathogens were obtained from
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), confirmed, and their
zones of inhibition studied at 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 mg/ml of extract
combinations. The presence of phenols, tannins and saponins were
confirmed in all extracts while alkaloids were present in all ethyl
acetate extracts and terpenoids in all aqueous extracts. Different
zones of inhibition were measured with the different extract
combinations with E. coli having its highest zone of inhibition with
the combination of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Ocimum gratissimum in 30
mg/ml (27.25 \ub1 1.70 mm). However, the highest zone of inhibition
observed in the study was with S. aureus in 10 mg/ml concentration of
ethyl acetate plant extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Ficus exasperata
(31.75 \ub1 3.07 mm). The Gram positive cell wall of S. aureus is
less complex and therefore, more susceptible to bio-agents.
Antibacterial activities of these extracts are attributed to the
presence of secondary metabolites that make them good bio-agents for
production of antibacterial drugs
Effects of Degumming Waste Cooking Oil on the Physicochemical and Fuel Properties of Biodiesel
No full textThe waste cooking oil (WCO) has been a prospective and cheap feedstock
for biodiesel with no competing food uses, but impurities affects
biodiesel yield and result in higher production cost. This study
examined the effects of degumming WCO on the physicochemical and fuel
properties of biodiesel using degummed-bleached cooking oil (DCO), and
methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide catalyst. The properties
and fatty acids profile were determined using the Association of
Officials of Analytical Chemists (AOAC), American Society for Test and
Material (ASTM) Quality, gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS)
technique while the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) gave the foremost
peak regions between 1600-3600 cm-1. The pH of degummed cooking methyl
ester (DCME), degummed-bleached cooking oil (DCO) and WCO varied
between 5.83 and 8.61. Density of DCME, DCO and WCO varied between 0.88
and 0.93 (g/cm3). Comparing the quality improvements between DCO and
WCO, the results showed percentage increases in properties such as
recovery yield (8.5%), acid value (61.5%), saponification value
(10.8%), iodine value (4.9%), peroxide value (26.9%), calorific value
(10.9%), specific gravity (6.3%), density (2.2%), kinematic viscosity @
40OC (54.2%), smoke point, OC (30.9%), flash point, OC (12.1%), fire
point, OC (10.8%), pour point @ 40oC (2.3%), higher heating value
(0.7%), and cetane number (-29.6%). The fatty acids profile in DCO has
octanoic acid (5.86%), benzoic acid (3.74%), and hexadecanoic acid
(74%) was the most abundant. The biodiesel from DCO as feedstock have
quality improvements over WCO, and values compared well with ASTM
standard recommendations
Evaluation of Service-Quality Dimensions during Antenatal care in Primary Health Care Centers, Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, Nigeria
No full textShortage of qualified health care providers, weak health systems
characterized by deficiencies of functioning equipment and essential
medications, attitude of health workers as well as a range of physical,
cultural, and financial barriers have been implicated for
inaccessibility of quality care to many women. Poor acceptance of
antenatal care is due to pervasive poverty, subordinate role of women,
low literacy levels and the non-existent social systems in most
developing countries. A cross-sectional, descriptive research design
was used and a total of 296 respondents (pregnant women) who met the
inclusion criteria participated in the study. A multistage sampling
technique was used in selecting the required facilities and sample were
selected in proportion with the inflow of clients in the facilities.
Data were collected with the aid of questionnaires adapted from
Parasuraman etal (1988) and mean of 2.5 was used to ascertain
satisfaction on the Likert scales. PHCs in southern Kaduna Senatorial
district are very accessible to the Clients (2.574\ub10.540) both
financially and geographically as well as the opening hours of the
clinics. The Clients have full confidence in the health care givers
(2.977\ub10.483). Clients were satisfied with the level of empathy
exhibited by the health care givers toward them during antenatal care
(3.346\ub10.688) and that PHCs Centres' care was reliable
(3.017\ub10.346). The mean score (3.043\ub10.375) shows
satisfaction with the responsiveness of the Health care givers to the
need of the Clients' during ANC. Clients were satisfied with the
general appearance of the health facilities (3.103\ub10.364)
Understanding the Internal Variability of Mudstones: Dark Mudstone of the Campano-Maastrichtian Mamu Formation as Case Study
No full textThe objective of this research work was to investigate approximately 6m
of Campano-Maastrichtian dark mudstone outcropping at Uzebba, Benin
Flank, SW Anambra Basin using sedimentological, geochemical,
mineralogical, and palynofacies techniques. Our findings show that the
mudstone succession can be subdivided into 3-broad units from bottom to
top. Unit 1 is characterized by weak to moderate bioturbation, high
quartz content ( 6550 %) as well as grained dominated microfabric
with planar to wavy laminations. Unit 2 has the lowest particle size,
zero to mild bioturbation, low quartz content as well as matrix
dominated microfabric with thin to indistinct laminations, which are
mostly planar. Unit 3 show intermediate particle size, weak to moderate
bioturbation, moderate quartz content as well as grain dominated
microfabric with much thicker laminations than units 1and 2 that vary
from wavy to curved. Geochemical and palynofacies proxies for detrital
influx and paleoproductivity are congruent. They show that units 1 and
3 received significant detrital contribution as well as high
terrestrial paleoproductivity under low relative sea level, which
promoted the development of good petrophysical and geomechanical
properties suitable for gas shale development. Conversely, Unit 2
received less significant detrital contribution as well as increased
marine paleoproductivity under higher relative sea level
Bioprocessing procedure of Waste Management using Liquid State Fermentation of Coffee Residues
No full textThis study is aimed at utilizing the abundant coffee residue in
Manchester using bioprocessing techniques to convert the raw materials
into economically viable components. High amounts of carbohydrate were
obtained in coffee residues, making up about 35-41% of the total solids
on a dry basis; an increase of about 89.5% for total reducing sugars
concentrations was observed to occur; indicating that indigenous
bacterium was capable of breaking down and hydrolyzing complex
polysaccharides and proteins in coffee residues. An increase of over
100% in free amino nitrogen (FAN) concentration were obtained over
time, further indicating the significant synthesis of hydrolytic
enzymes by the indigenous bacteria during Liquid state fermentation
processes of bioprocessing. This study therefore, concludes that
bioprocessing of coffee residues is feasible in obtaining optimum yield
of value-added products
Effectiveness of Some Selected Natural Filter Media for On-Site Small-Scale Treatment of Medium Strength Greywater
No full textGreywater represents a potential resource of water that can be recycled
to meet the standards for safe discharge or non-potable uses. This
study evaluated the performance of sand, charcoal, and saw dust filters
in reducing Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS), pH, Phosphatephosphorus (PO4-P), and Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in
greywater. Greywater was fed into a simple filtration system (SFS) with
sand, charcoal and saw dust filters each of height 16 cm in three
plastic containers of the same size: internal diameter 19 cm and height
22 cm each and operated for two weeks. Sand efficiently reduced the
concentrations of BOD5, phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) and TDS while
charcoal and saw dust were less efficient. Sand, charcoal, and saw dust
reduced influent BOD5 by 97.65%, 61.20% and 66.12%; PO4-P by 99.92%,
83.98% and 20.56%; NO3-N by 28.30%, 58.80% and 39.21%; and TDS by
47.18%, 7.94% and 29.69%, respectively for the two-week experimental
period. Overall, sand appeared to be the most suitable filter for
improving greywater quality for discharge or non-potable uses in terms
of organic matter reduction. Effective performance of the charcoal and
saw dust filters for the treatment of greywater need further
investigation