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Author(s):
Egwuonwu Gabriel N., Okpala Paul K..
Page No : 1-17
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Geoelectrical Investigation of Groundwater Vulnerability at the Vicinity of a Municipal Dumpsite in Awka, Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract
The vulnerability of overburden aquifers at the vicinity of a municipal dumpsite has been carried out. The survey site is bounded by longitude 7°5'20''E and 7°5'52''E and latitudes 6°13'35''N and 6°13'52''N located within Niger delta basin of Southeastern Nigeria. Two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (2DERT) and vertical electrical sounding (VES) techniques were carried out in order to ascertain the extent of the vulnerability of groundwater at shallow subsurface. The registered resistivity values modeled in the 2DERT and VES are in the ranges of about 3.76 Ωm to 11464 Ωm and about 76.79 Ωm to 5665.85 Ωm respectively. With the aid of Res2D inversion version 3.2 and Winglet version 1.62 software, the 2DERT and VES data were modeled respectively. Interpreted 2DERT results showed evidence of the leachate in clayey and sandy topsoil the refuse dump. Inferred fractures in both top and other shallow layers suggest percolation of the leachate into depths beyond the limits probed by the 2DERT. Interpreted results from the VES showed that longitudinal conductivities S_L derived for depths in the study site is in the range of about 0.002161 - 0.101741 mhos. Hence, Dar Zarrouk Parameter (DZP) standard was used to evaluate the protective capacity of groundwater’s overburden at the site and its vulnerability. Based on the interpreted 2DERT, there is evidence of leachate percolation through the topsoil and shallow subsurface to depths. The protective capacity of the depths underlain by the groundwater was inferred as weak at NNE and Eastern zones of the dumpsite while at the SSE and the Western zones of the dumpsite was inferred as poor. Consequently, the vulnerability of the groundwater in the vicinity of Awka municipal dumpsite to percolating leachate from refuse dump is moderately high.
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Author(s):
Akoh Benjamin, Iyoha Lucky Sylvester, Iwuajoku Goodluck.
Page No : 18-36
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Removal of Nickel Using Various Biosrbents: Review
Abstract
Nickel ion is one of the non-biodegradable toxic heavy metals commonly found in industrial effluents which causes severe health challenges when excessively accumulated in the food chain of various living organisms and the environment through mutagenesis and carcinogenicity. Different physicochemical conventional techniques have been used for nickel ion removal from wastewaters. However, these methods are energy-consuming, expensive and generate secondary pollutants as by-products. Hence, the need for a potential alternative to these existing techniques. The use of agricultural and biological materials as biosorbent for heavy metals removal has been found to be the potential alternatives to these existing conventional methods. This study is aimed at the review of various reports of various authors on the removal of nickel ion from wastewaters using biosorbents of agricultural and biological origin. The use of algal, bacteria, fungi as biosorbent under the growing, living, non-living conditions in batch and continuous operation were reviewed and reported. Langmuir and Freundlich's models were observed to be widely reported to fit in the biosorption of the Nickel ions from wastewater. Also, the study revealed that living, dead and non-living cells of these microorganisms were widely used as biosorbents as compared growing cells due to its toxicity.
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Author(s):
Abdulqadir Abubakar Sadiq, Ahmad Usman Ardo.
Page No : 37-56
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An Evaluation of Causes, Extent, Pattern and Effect of Gully Erosion on Some Selected Arable Lands in Yola South LGA, North-Eastern Part of Nigeria
Abstract
The study attempts to estimate the causes, extent, pattern and effect of gully erosion on some selected arable lands in Yola South LGA, North-eastern part of Nigeria. Two hundred fifty (250) selected sampled farmers were administered well structured questionnaires in each farm location (Mbamba, Bole, Yolde pate and Wuro-chekke) on the causes, effects and control method of gully erosion and the obtained data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. Representative soil samples of the gully affected areas were collected and analyzed for soil related erosion properties (structure, texture, OM, porosity and permeability) using standard laboratory procedures. Direct on-field observation, identification and measurement of gully morphological parameters (size, shape, length, depth, width) were obtained and used to calculate extent of the gully (runoff area, gully density and soil loss) respectively. The result revealed that OM content of the area ranges from 1.52-2.10, porosity 38%-43%, clay loam and sandy loam were dominant. Overgrazing, improper land use and poor management were found to be the major cause of gully formation with medium to large size, U-V shapes with active and extreme damaged on arable lands. Total of 15 gullies were identified in the area with an average total length of 530 m, 14.3 m width, 11. 2m depth having an estimated runoff area of 7782 m2, density of 0.04262 m/ m 2 and estimated soil loss of 2, 5409.8 M3 respectively. Loss of productive land, sediment deposition on fertile land, siltation of dams and reservoirs were among the utmost effects of gully erosion in the area and most farmers saddled to adopt planting of trees and grasses, water ways constructions and sandbags techniques in an effort to curtail the existing menace in the area. To realize healthy and sustainable arable lands for optimum food production in the sty area, it is therefore recommended that effective training on the modern techniques of controlling and preventing of gully erosion should be given to the farmers by the extension agents coupled with proper land use and management techniques.
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Author(s):
Abdulqadir Abubakar Sadiq.
Page No : 57-72
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An Estimation of Rainfall Seasonality Index of Yola South LGA and its Effects on Agriculture and Environment
Abstract
The study saddled to estimate rainfall seasonality index of Yola South LGA, and its effects on agriculture and environment. Fifty (50) years rainfall data from 1969-2018 were computed using proposed formular of Walsh & Lawler (1981). The result revealed that of all the years estimated were classified as markedly seasonal with a long drier season except in the year 1971 and 2016 classified as seasonal and 1991, 2003, 2009 and 2012 were rated with most rain in 3 months or less. Similarly, for the decade’s results it was revealed that all the four decades (1969-2008) were classified as markedly seasonal with a long drier season with estimated mean SI value ranged from 0.884-0.933 except in the last decade (2009-2018) which was rated as seasonal with mean SI values of 0.756 having short dry season respectively. In addition, the cumulative result for the fifty (50) years of study shows that the mean SI value of 0.882 classified as markedly seasonal with a long drier season having average rainfall amount of 126.66 mm. Due to the seasonal variability of rainfall distribution imposed negative effects of floods and droughts scenarios on agriculture and environment in the area. Floods scenarios had affected farmlands, cropping system and the entire livelihood system and droughts conditions also damaged crop growth and productivity, loss of vegetation, soil erosion and desertification. It is therefore recommending that the farmer should adopt the use of early matured crops with high drought resistivity, farming and buildings along flood prone should be avoided for sustainable development.
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Author(s):
Ogungbe A.S., Babatunde O.S., Alabi A.A., Coker J.O..
Page No : 73-91
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Impact of Sand Mining on Soil and Water Quality Along Addo – Baddore Road, Ajah, Lagos State, Nigeria
Abstract
Thick pile of well sorted sand of good construction grade exists along the bay of Addo-Baddore, Ajah axis of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria. This was responsible for the sitting of several sand mining depots along the shore axis of the area. This study was carried out to study the impact of sand mining on soil and water along this axis, with a view to ascertaining the level of degradation on the environment and groundwater contamination. Four locations were considered. They are: Blenco 1 (Active Mine), Blenco 2 (Abandoned Mine), Oke-Ira-Nla and Baddore. Laboratory analyses of water and sediments, as well as geophysical survey, using 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (Wenner) were used. Findings revealed high turbidity values that exceeded the NIS set standard of 5 NTU in all the locations. Pollution from fecal coliforms and heterotrophic bacteria existed in the groundwater within the region with values far above WHO and NIS set standard of 100 CFU/ml. Low resistivity value ranging from 2.59 Ωm to 106 Ωm, was observed at Blenco 1, Blenco 2 and Oke-Ira-Nla. This is an indication of degradation, unstable and erosion prone zone. At Baddore, a high resistivity value of up to 2807 Ωm was observed, indicating an un-degraded stable zone. This study highlights the call for awareness of all the stakeholders in the area for close monitoring of mining activities.
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Author(s):
Kasarawa A.B., Salau I.A., Dangaladima W..
Page No : 92-97
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Microbiological Quality of Air and Soil of Refuse Dump Site Areas in Sokoto Metropolis
Abstract
The study on Microbiological quality of Air and Soil of Refuse Dump site Areas in Sokoto Metropolis was conducted. The air and soil samples were collected using sterile Swab sticks and exposing sterile petri dishes containing the Nutrient Agar (NA) and Potato Dextroxe Agar (PDA) to air at the site. The samples were collected from different dump site including Sultan Bello Mosque site, Vegetables market, Sultan Abubakar Road, Ahmad Bello Way and Iraki refuse dump site. The bacteria isolated from Air and Dump site were: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus licheniformis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Bacillus mycoidis, Bacillus sphericus, Bacillus alveri, Bacillus megatarium, Bacillus firmus and Staphylococcus carnosus. While the Fungal pathogens recovered were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus orizae and Tricudermer herzianom among others. It can be concluded that the open dump system of waste disposal is hazardous to human health as such concern authorities and other relevant bodies should take measures and embark on public awareness on the danger of indiscriminate waste disposal and the open dump system of waste disposal. So as to curtail and adopt the most suitable safe and appropriate waste disposal system in the metropolis.
