| 1 |
Author(s):
Bob-Manuel F.G., Wokoma O.A.F., Edoghotu A.J., Jacob W.M., Owo A.A..
Page No : 1-8
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Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in the Tissues of Periwinkle and Clam from the Mud Flats of Andoni River, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) and clam (Senilla senilis) collected from the mud flats of Andoni River was carried out over a six months period. Surface sediment samples were collected with a hand trowel into polythene bags while periwinkle and clam samples were collected by hand picking during low tide, washed thoroughly and transported in an ice-container to the Research Laboratory of the Department of Biology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt for further analysis. Sample preparation followed standard analytical protocols and heavy metal analysis was by Atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentration of heavy metals (mg/kg) in T. fuscatus was 10.06 ± 0.22, 5.86 ± 0.25, 3.67 ± 0.1, 3.33 ± 0.42 and 0.65 ± 0.09 for Zn>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd respectively, while that of clam is 6.54±0.51, 6.41±0.15, 4.10±0.6, 2.67±0.1 and 0.39±0.01 respectively for Zn>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd in descending order of magnitude. All the heavy metals under investigation showed bioaccumulation in the tissues of periwinkle, except cadmium and except cadmium and zinc for clam. Similarly, the concentrations of all heavy metals were above their Rivers State Ministry of Environment and World Health Organization stated limits save for zinc in periwinkle and zinc and cadmium in clam. Thus, indicating that the continued consumption (particularly in large quantities) of periwinkle and clam from the mud flats of Andoni River could lead to far-reaching health implications.
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Author(s):
Ola-Buraimo A.O., Oladimeji R.G., Adamu K.W..
Page No : 9-18
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Palynological Study and Age Dating of the Early Miocene Dukku Claystone Type Section of Gwandu Formation, Sokoto Basin, Northwestern Nigeria
Abstract
Outcrop samples were collected from Dukku area for the purpose of subjecting them to palynological analysis in order to determine the relative age of Gwandu Formation and palaeoenvironment of deposition of the deposit. Field and laboratory methods were carried out in order to obtain lithological sequence description of the outcrop. The samples obtained went through processes of acid digestion with hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and separation of macerals by floatation with the use of zinc bromide. The prepared slides were observed under microscope for palynomorph contents. Diagnostic palynomorphs that are stratigraphically important for palynozonation were retrieved such as Belskipollis eligans, Verrutricolporites laevigatus. Striamonocolpites sp., Retibrevitricolporites sp., Retibrevitricolporites obodoensis, Retistephanocolpites sp., Cingulatisporites ornatus, Longapertites marginatus and Proteacidites sp. The marker fossils belong to Magnatariatites horwardii zone; Zone P600 and Subzone P630 and C1 Zone of Nigerian Niger Delta sedimentary basin zonal schemes, dated Early Miocene age. Dinoflagellate forms recovered include Batiacasphaera sp., Senegalinium sp., Andalusiella polymorpha Selenophemphix nephroides, Andalusiella sp., Andalusiella laevigata, Histrichosphaera turocona and undifferentiated dinoflagellate cysts of peridinacean forms that belong to marginal marine setting.
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Author(s):
Gildas Parfait Ndjouondo, Roland Didier Nwamo, Choula Tegantchouang Fridolin.
Page No : 19-35
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Diversity and Structure of Microalgae in the Mezam River (Bamenda, Cameroon)
Abstract
Human activities more and more intensify the imbalance of aquatic systems causing the reduction of biodiversity. The aim of the study was to identify the microalgae and to determine their distribution in the Mezam River (Bamenda, Cameroon). Sampling took place monthly from July 2021 to August 2022 using plankton net for phytoplankton and scrubbing for periphyton upstream, middle, and downstream of the river. Species richness of microalgae amounts to 11 classes divided into 45 genera and 75 species. The most represented class was Bacillariophyceae with 42.67% and the dominant family was the Naviculaceae in terms of abundance with 10 species. Shannon-Weaver diversity index ranges from 2.055 (downstream) to 1.313 (upstream). Spatio-temporal variation of genera revealed 3 groups; group 1 brings together the genera exclusive to phytoplankton, upstream: Pleurotaenium, Synechocystis, Microcystis, and Phormidium. Group 2 brings together the genera exclusive to epiphyte, middle: Encyonema, Trachelomonas, Gloeotrichia, Aphanizomenon, and Peridinium. Group 3 brings together the common genera in the different habitats: Fragilaria, Gomphonema, Synedra, Coscinodiscus, Navicula, Cyclotella, Cymatopleura, Cymbella, Eunotia, Tabellaria, Gyrosigma, Melosira, Pinnularia, Diatoma, Cocconeis, Thalassiosira, Achnanthidium, Nitzschia, Luticola, Rhopalodia, Euglena, Clostrium, Ulothrix, Cryptomonas, Scenedesmus, Spirogyra, Uronema, Mougeotia, Oedogonium, Calothrix, Nostoc, Rivularia, Oscillatoria and Gymnodinium. These results show that Mezam River has a highly diversified community of diatoms that can be used as bio-indicators of pollution.
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Author(s):
Zingfat M.J., Mailafiya B.Y., Garnvwa J.D., Pyendang Z.S..
Page No : 36-42
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Capillary Absorption of NBRRI Interlocking Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks
Abstract
Buildings constructed without an adequate damp-proof membrane are usually affected by a lot of problems and capillary action is one of them. Continuous research and development of stabilised earth, taking into account; its socio-economic concerns, structural suitability and environmental friendliness as a contemporary walling material have been an issue of growing interest. NBRRI has invested a lot of research time and effort in the development of CSEB technology. This CSEB when used for construction is subjected to conditions that expose it to water and sound. All these conditions are important considerations when designing and constructing a building for a particular purpose. Therefore, this study was aimed at producing standard NBRRI CSEB to investigate the coefficients of capillary absorption. The laterite used for this study was sourced in Jos, Plateau state. And also Dangote ordinary Portland cement was used for the stabilisation. The results show that an average amount of water absorbed within 10 minutes of exposure is up to a tenth of the block's total mass, indicating high water absorption at 5% cement stabilisation of the classified silty sand used.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Ajayi Adekunle Adebo, Ngobidi Kerian Chigozie, Ezem Stella Nwakego, Vining-Ogu Ibukun Caroline, Aja Oti Agha, Danladi Garba Jeremiah.
Page No : 43-50
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Potential Health Risk Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals, Nitrate and Nitrite in Snuff Inhaled in Afikpo-North of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Abstract
The analyses of the concentrations of selected heavy metals, nitrate and nitrite in smokeless tobacco were carried out to determine the potential health risk of their exposure. The pulverized snuff samples (prepared by unknown methods) were obtained randomly from vendors from Afikpo, Amasiri and Unwana, and then analyzed using standard analytical procedures. The results showed concentrations of Zn, Cu and Fe having significant (p<0.05) increase in snuff obtained from Afikpo, Amasiri and Unwana respectively compared to other metals. The concentration of nitrate showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in snuff obtained from the Afikpo compared to nitrite. All the values were lower than the maximum permissible limit and the THQ of these substances were less than 1. However, target hazard quotients of Cd were greater than 1 and higher than other metals. Therefore, these findings suggest that exposure to Cadmium in snuff (smokeless tobacco) might pose noncarcinogenic health risk.
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Author(s):
Avwata Marvel Okeroghene, Ugbebor N. John, Chinemerem Patricks.
Page No : 51-71
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Workers’ Participation and Planning for an Injury Free Workplace Across Manufacturing Companies in Niger Delta
Abstract
This study examined the extent of workers participation and planning for an injury free workplace across manufacturing companies in Niger Delta. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population for this study comprised nine (9) manufacturing firms—one from each of the Niger Delta's states, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Imo, Rivers, and Ondo were selected for the research. By using the Taro Yamane formula, the sample size of 325 employees was utilized for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled, Workers Participation and Planning for an Injury Free Workplace across Manufacturing Companies Questionnaire. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while a Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Findings from the study showed that there is a very significant positive association between worker engagement and safety performance [(P =.000) p=0.05] amongst others. The study unequivocally established that poor organizational culture, low employee competency levels, lack of communication, ineffective leadership, and literacy/language barriers were the main obstacles to effective worker participation in SMS implementation across Niger Delta manufacturing companies.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Mang’ira Solomon Kipkosgei, Koske James K. (PhD), Kerich Richard K. (PhD).
Page No : 72-89
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Sengwer Indigenous Environmental Knowledge and the Management of Cherang’any Forest Resources, Elgeyo-marakwet County, Kenya
Abstract
Globally, forests supply important environmental benefits within and across ecosystem boundaries and despite institutional management, forest ecosystems are subjected to land-use changes which diminish their role. In Kenya, the current institutional management instruments are largely in place but there is a continuous reduction of forest cover presently estimated at 5.7% of the national land area as opposed to the desired > 10.0%. The integration of indigenous ecological knowledge into forest management may provide a much-needed bridge between indigenous communities and institutional understanding of sustainable forest management. Thus, the study examined the role of IEK in the management of forest among the Sengwer community living next to the Cherang’any forest, Elgeiyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. The study targeted older community members who were purposely sampled as key informants. The study used focus group discussion as the main instruments for data collections and thus qualitative analysis was more appropriate. The output was presented in thematic format. The study established that the Sengwer indigenous forest management techniques are compatible with institutional techniques applied in the management of the forest to the extent that institutionalized methods are more pervasive in the management of the forest. Based on the discussions, the study concluded that the indigenous conservation practices need to be formalized and integrated with the modern forest management practices. IEK can be included in the sustainable conservation of forests if the socio-economic status of the community is improved through economic empowerment. Further, the study recommends that Kenya’s Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016 provides a basis for the integration of IEK into modern forest management techniques.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Egwuonwu Gabriel Ndubuisi, Nwafor Ernest Kelechukwu , Kalu Ugo Egbu.
Page No : 90-102
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Evaluation of Kaolin Mineral Emplacement at Amaihe-Ukpor, Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria Using Spatial Layer Electrical Resistivity Tomography
Abstract
Spatial layer Resistivity tomography was carried out at a Kaolin Mining site in Amaihe-Ukpor of Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria. The tomograms were obtained at various depths with the aim of assessing the depths of emplacement of the Kaolin at the site. Firstly, apparent resistivity data Schlumberger-B electrode configuration was obtained from Seventy-five (75) Vertical Electrical Tomography (VES) along 6 transverses at the site. Using the VES data, tomographic plots of spatial distribution of the Kaolin minerals at depths were obtained. Interpreted tomograms showed the occurrence of Kaolin minerals bearing apparent resistivity values in the range of about (900 - 28,900 Ωm) occurrence within the depth range of 0.5 m at layer 2 to 115 m at layer 4 of the site. The tomograms show that layers 2 to 5 indicate traces of the occurrence of Kaolin, layers 2, 3 and 4 particularly showed prominence of the Kaolin. Layers 1 and 6 show no trace of the Kaolin formation enrichment on them. The spatial layer tomograms showed that the prominence of the Kaolin remains at the site occur mostly at the northern and southern zones of the surveyed site. Further mining at the site could lead to tertiary exploitation of the mineral. The site is therefore in threat of gross depletion of the environment. Hence, there is need for suspension of the ongoing extraction of the Kaolin at the site to give room for deposition and sufficient formation of the target mineral.
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Author(s):
Ohiare Aliu Ademoh.
Page No : 103-112
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The Effects of Abattoir Management on Consumer Health in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State
Abstract
Abattoir management in Nigeria has been of great concern. Almost every day in all urban and rural markets in our country, animals are slaughtered while the meats are sold to the public for consumption. The public health has become prone to a lot of sickness and illnesses that need an urgent overhaul of the abattoir in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State. The issue of environmental pollution is perceived not simply as a narrow ecological problem of how to ensure a symbolic and cognitive interference between man and the environment. The activities of the abattoir are meant to regain the suitable and edible portion of slaughtered animals for human consumption. In the process, important quantities of waste materials are brought into existence. Health implications of improper waste disposed are enormous and cannot be ignored. Wastes that are not properly disposed can cause waste pollution, which may breed diseases like cholera, typhoid, among others, which point to the fact that a proper understanding of the disposal and management of waste becomes imperative for the study. A good number of researchers point out that slaughter house activities are responsible for the pollution of surface and underground water. In addition to the quality of air which directly or indirectly affect the health of residents living within the vicinity of abattoir. Inadequate discharge of blood and animal feces into streams caused a huge reduction in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), in water as well as nutrients over enrichment of the receiving system caused an increased rate of toxic accumulation. The reliability of BAT was determined using Kuder-Richardson 21. By administering the instrument to 30 abattoirs in two different zones in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi state, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while analysis of Chi-Square was employed to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. There should be cordial relationships between policy makers and the abattoirs for provision of essential resources for testing the healthy nature of slaughtered animals like laboratory, slaughtered slabs, and method of butchering, tender for selling meat, among others .
