| 1 |
Author(s):
Bashir Usman Mohammed, Dr. S. J. Dukku, Suleiman Shehu.
Page No : 1-15
|
Quantum of Building Demolished Debris Associated with Urban Road Construction in Gombe City, Nigeria
Abstract
Demolition activity is deeply embedded in the urban system. In recent times, infrastructural development in Nigeria’s major cities has led to increase in road construction activities associated with demolition of hundreds of houses from which millions of tons of Demolition Waste have been generated. However, it is widely reported in many studies globally that demolition debris is such waste that can be re-used. Though, this is not the case in Gombe due to paucity of information on its composition, size and quantities. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the volumetric composition of generated demolition debris in Gombe City with a view to knowing the potential quantities available for re-use. The study used both qualitative and quantitative design approach. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 13 roads which were sub-divided in to Lot 1 (8.33km) and Lot 2 (15.04km) and the period of 2011-2014 was considered for the study. Primary data kept by actors and authorities for the compensation assessment which do not refer to demolition debris quantities were used as the bases for extraction of quantities. Handheld (GPS) instrument was used in establishing coordinates; photographs were taken from different locations showing demolition activities taking place and composition of different materials debris. Results revealed that a total of 1,271 structures were evaluated after partially or fully demolished for street widening and/or to pave way for new road construction, in addition a total volume of 129,993.57m3 of Demolished Debris was generated which composed of 10.00% Concrete, 60.30% Sandcrete and 29.69% clay/mud. In conclusion, there exist huge quantities of building demolition debris from street widening and/or new road construction in Gombe city which can be put in to re-use as a component of urban road construction, where properly managed will go a long way to reducing environmental adverse effect due to excessive exploitation for new material.
| 2 |
Author(s):
G. M. Mafuyai .
Page No : 16-44
|
A Review of Empirical Models of Sorption Isotherms of Hydrophobic Contaminants
Abstract
Renewed focus on empirical models of sorption isotherms of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) onto mineral surfaces and soil components is required because of the importance attached to numerous pollutants released into the environment. This examines the various models and isotherms with their assumptions by different scholars on the contribution of sorption of contaminants onto clay mineral sorbents and soil organic matter with the possible ways of prevention of environmental contamination by HOCs. Literature indicated that empirical models and isotherms have been used to ascertain several surfaces that can be sorbed by hydrophobic organic contaminants. These models also show that soils can retain HOCs even at low soil organic levels and the extent depends on the structure of the pollutant type and concentration of clay minerals in the sorbent. It also revealed the important role played by soil organic carbon in the sorption of contaminants onto soils and how it is strongly affected by the nature and structure of the organic soil matter. Contamination by different pollutants required a renewed approach in the context of the sorption of organic pollutants onto clay minerals from aqueous and non-aqueous solutions.
| 3 |
Author(s):
G. Ibiso, G. C. Akani, Nioking A., Glorious C. Onuegbu.
Page No : 45-47
|
Population Abundance of Antelopes Based on Prevalence in Some Selected Markets in Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the population abundance of antelopes based on prevalence in some selected bushmeat markets in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three (3) markets known to have a long history of wildlife marketing/business were chosen as sampling stations. These include: Omagwa bushmeat market, Imo River bushmeat market and Asa market. The stations were visited twice a week for six (6) months, 6 times in a month (December 2017–February 2018) and 3 wet season months (May 2018–July 2018). Sample and data were collected in the morning hours between 7 am and 12 noon when hunters usually return with their bounty. During each visit, morphometric traits of antelope carcasses brought by hunters/bushmeat traders were measured with the aid of a measuring tape and weighed. The sex of each antelope was determined by examining the reproductive organs and the number of antelope carcasses brought to the market was recorded. A total count of 202 individuals belonging to 3 species—Cephalophus maxwelli, Neotragus batesi and Tragelaphus scriptus from the family Bovidae—were recorded from all the three stations, with C. maxwelli being the dominant species in all stations. C. maxwelli had a total count of 141 individuals while N. batesi and T. scriptus had total counts of 35 and 26 individuals respectively. Omagwa bushmeat market had the highest count of antelope carcasses accounting for 63% (126 individuals) of the total count, followed by Imo River bushmeat market with 23% (47 individuals) and Asa market with 14% (29 individuals). A total of 103 males and 99 females were recorded. Seasonal variation data revealed that the dry season had a count of 72 individuals while the wet season had a count of 130 individuals. Combing of vegetation, night hunting, use of dart guns and use of snare traps were the dominant methods used in the study locations. According to the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), these bovids are said to be the least-concern species but this research work showed that T. scriptus and N. batesi were threatened locally.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Asonye Christian Chinedu, Leslie Tabitha Amere, Sodimu Jeminat, Fadipe Ololade, Kenai Nanchak Dandam.
Page No : 48-58
|
Anthropogenically Induced Ecosystem Dysfunction and Human Health
Abstract
Health is the most basic human right and one of the most important indicators of sustainable development. Individuals, communities and societies depend on healthy ecosystems support to remain healthy. Well-functioning ecosystems provide goods and services essential for human health. These goods and services include nutrition and food security, clean air and fresh water, medicines, cultural and spiritual values, and contributions to local livelihoods and economic development. They can also help to limit disease and stabilize the climate. However, over the years human activities have been constantly placing pressure on earth’s natural resources to meet the demands of the economies and the needs of a rapidly growing global population, which has resulted in the transformation of basic natural processes such as weather/climate, biogeochemical cycling, and more so the biological diversity in which the evolutionary changes depend. It is projected that less than 25% of Earth’s surface remains free from substantial impacts of human activities and the proportion is set to fall to a mere 10% or less by 2050. Constant human activities are resulting in soil, water and air pollution, increased emissions of greenhouse gases, deforestation and land use change, expanded urban areas, introduction of non-native species, and inadequately planned development of water and land resources to meet food and energy needs. These changes are having both direct and indirect impacts on our climate, ecosystems and biological diversity and human health. Thus, the integrated course of action that involves both individual and the government efforts must be instituted to tackle both human-induced drivers of biodiversity loss, disease emergence and the loss of ecosystem services that support health and general human well-being.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Rosiji Comfort Oluseyi, Olukayode Oluwakemi Omolara.
Page No : 59-70
|
Assessment of Farmers Awareness on the Environmental Effect and Safety Implications of Agro-Chemicals: A Study of Rice Farmers in Abeokuta
Abstract
This study assessed farmer’s awareness of the environmental effect and safety implications of agrochemicals (A study of rice farmers in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Agrochemicals are pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers used for the management of ecosystems in agricultural sectors. Rudimentary variations on agrochemicals have been used for millennia to improve crop yields and control the populations of agricultural pests. The study is a descriptive survey; in which 15 questionnaires were formulated and distributed to the farmers in Abeokuta, Ogun using stratified sampling techniques. The result of the study showed that 73% of the respondents know that Agrochemicals are chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) used to boost agricultural production while 27% did not. Also, 87% are aware of the environmental effect of agro-chemical used in the farm while 13% are not. 67% know that Agrochemical mishandling constitutes one of the most severe farm operation hazards confronting farmers, their produce, and the environment while 33% did not. And 93% has ever attended any seminar/workshop on how to use agrochemicals on crops and rice productions while 7% stated otherwise. Also, 16% of the respondents stated that they have ever encountered any problem in the last two years while 84% stated otherwise. Moreover, 9 of them are properly informed of the risks and precautions involved in the application of toxic chemicals on the rice Productions while 6 disagreed with that. Furthermore, 47% of the respondents are exposed to agrochemicals during applications while 53% disagreed with that and lastly, 80% usually wear protective materials whenever they’re on the farm while 20% stated otherwise. However, pesticides continue to be a significant and growing component of modern rice technology. The relative importance of pesticides has increased despite the availability of alternatives to exclusive chemical pest control such as varietal resistance and integrated pest management (IPM). Despite the benefits involved in the use of agrochemicals, there are also health and environmental problems associated with its use. However, the farmers’ knowledge of the use of agrochemicals in Nigeria has been fraught with problems. Therefore, the protection of our crop through the control of pest and disease agents can make a major contribution towards increased agricultural productivity, the standard of living of rural community dwellers and national development.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Azaki J.B., Mundi R., Dakyes S.P..
Page No : 71-92
|
An Evaluation of Environmental and Cultural Factors Affecting Under-Five Mortality in Kebbi State, Nigeria
Abstract
Over the years, Nigeria at all levels of government has formulated and implemented health policies and programmes to reduce under-five mortality; and despite that, it is still among Sub-Saharan Africa countries with high under-five mortality rate. This study aimed at evaluating environmental and cultural factors affecting under-five mortality in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample respondents. Structured questionnaires were administered to 625 women aged 15-49 years and 603 were retrieved, giving the response rate of 96.5%. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were employed to analyse the characteristics of the respondents and distribution of under-five mortality experienced by women based on the environmental and cultural factors. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the environmental and cultural factors affecting under-five mortality in the study area. The results of the Logistic regression analysis revealed that at P-value <0.05, source of water, frequency of washing water container, water treatment, method of disposing waste water, type of toilet, shared toilet, frequency of washing toilet, method of disposing child’s stool, type of cooling appliance, number of persons per room, use of mosquito net, refuse disposal method and type of cooking fuel were found to be the environmental factors significantly affecting under-five mortality; while ethnicity, religion, practice of food taboo, belief in traditional medicine, belief about disease causation, mother’s autonomy on child’s health and family’s decision on child’s health were found to be the cultural factors significantly affecting under-five mortality in the study area. The study therefore concluded that environmental and cultural factors affect under-five mortality in Kebbi state. To reduce under-five mortality rate, it was recommended that government at all levels should step up efforts in providing adequate infrastructure for public use. Government and cultural organizations should mount advocacy programmes aimed at improving women’s participation in child’s health decision-making in the family.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Mukululi Ndlovu, Innocent Mahakata.
Page No : 93-107
|
An Analysis of the Influence of Annual Rainfall Fluctuations on Wildfire Occurrence in Protected Areas in the Northwest of Zimbabwe
Abstract
The occurrence and threat from wildfires are a conservation concern in semi-arid savanna-protected areas. The risk of wildlife occurrence is uncertain under climate change scenarios. However, general predictions are that different changes are likely to occur in weather conditions in different landscapes. We sought to analyze the influence of annual precipitation on wildfire occurrence in a protected area landscape in northwest Zimbabwe. Data on annual rainfall received and wildfire occurrence for Chizarira National Park (CNP), Chirisa Safari Area (CSA), and Sengwa Wildlife Research Area (SWRA) was analyzed using regression analysis. The relationship between the annual precipitation amount received per site and the number of wildfires recorded per site showed a positive correlation only for CSA. No significant differences were observed for CNP and SWRA at a significant level of p< 0.05. The highest number of wildfires were recorded between July and November. We advance that annual rainfall is one factor among many drivers of wildfires and that this is not uniform but varies across the landscape. Effective annual precipitation contributes to high vegetation biomass production and accumulation of such biomass increases the risk of wildfires. In some instances, rainfall patterns could not explain the occurrence of wildfires. We, therefore, contend that other drivers such as human activities and natural factors are important drivers of wildfires across the three sites. The conservation implication of our finding is that robust fire management plans need to take an ecosystem approach that includes communities adjacent to protected areas.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Innocent Mahakata.
Page No : 108-120
|
Assessment of Big Cats Abundance and Distribution in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area (SWRA): An Analysis of Multiple Methods
Abstract
Large carnivores are considered key species and their presence signify health of the ecosystem. Mostly used methods to establish big cats abundance and spatial distribution in SWRA consist of spoor survey, individual observations, analysis of patrol data and interviews with safari operators. In this study, four methods were used to establish current abundance and distribution of big cats in Sengwa and to find advantages and disadvantage for each method used. To do this, spoor survey along twelve transects were done between 13th to 20th April 2020. Oral interviews with local professional hunters and park managers was done between 1st and 10th April 2020, whilst analysis of patrol reports from January 2018 to December 2019 were also done. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of interview data. For other three methods, data were summarised in excel and quantitatively analysed. Mapping of spatial distribution of big cats from secondary data and spoor surveys were done in QGIS software. Five lion spoors and twenty-one leopard spoors were recorded during spoor survey. Two individual leopards and zero lions were also recorded. Lion spoors were mostly recorded along river valleys while leopard spoors were recorded in different habitats and terrain. Future related studies should focus on use of other survey design and combination of methods such as radio calls and camera traps as well as use of GPS enabled collars for monitoring and estimating abundance.
