Biogas production was carried out using cow dung, weeds, orange peelings and corn cob. Four different set of experiments were set up to demonstrate the production of biogas by the anaerobic fermentation of weeds and domestic waste; to determine the ratios of cow dung to weeds, orange peelings, and corn cob which would be required for optimum gas production; to determine the burning characteristic of the gas produced and to determine the time taken for a digester to start biogas production when activated with a slurry from already functioning digester. Results obtained showed that production of biogas by anaerobic fermentation o0f cow dung and wastes began on day 7 with 48cm 3 of gas with a total volume of 1758cm 3 at the end of 22 days. The results of various percentage combination of cow dung and weeds, orange peelings and corn cob showed gas production on day 6 in 75% cow dung and 25% weeds with 6cm 3 of gas followed by 50% cow dung and 50% weeds on day 7 while 25% cow dung and 75% orange peelings started on day 8 while 25% cow dung and 75% corn cob started on day 9. 50% cow dung and 50% weeds produced the highest volume of gas (779cm 3 ) while 25% cow dung and 75% corn cob produced the lowest (474cm 3 ). The gas produced by a restarted digester began on day 3 with 41cm 3 of gas and a total volume of 3579cm 3 at the end of 22 days. Keywords: Biogas, Cowdung, Digester and Fermentation
The composition and diversity of different water bodies in Kaaba/Bunu Local Government, Kogi State were investigated for both micro and macrobiota. The study covered Oinyi, Odogo and Odonkolo Rivers. Salinity values ranged between 0.03‰ and 0.07‰ indicating the freshwater status of these water bodies, pH was between 6.50 and 7.61. Conductivity values were between 88.1µS/cm and 131.7µS/cm while dissolved oxygen highest value (5.12mg/L) was recorded at Odonkolo River. For the phytobenthos, eighty-five taxa recorded were distributed among five divisions, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Charophyta, Euglenophyta and Cyanobacteria. Bacillariophyta (Diatoms) accounted for 78.28% of the identified species, followed by the Charophytes, (6.99%), Chlorophytes (5.61%), Euglenophytes (7.43%) and Cyanobacteria (1.69%). Macrobenthic invertebrates recorded three group; gastropoda (37.71%), insecta (28.57%) and oligochaeta (35.71%).Keywords: Phytobenthos, macrobenthic, Water, River, Diversity, Kogi State
The rapid rate of changing land use in urban areas has reached alarming proportions. The changes are observable along major transport routes particularly within the central business districts (CBD). The aim of this study was to assess the attendant problems as well as implications of changing land uses on physical environment in Calabar Municipality, the capital city of Cross River State in Nigeria. The study adopted the systematic random sampling technique in the administration of questionnaires. The sample size for this study was obtained from the total population number of residential, commercial and public buildings in the area which was 1,847. A sample of 461 was adopted for the study. Descriptive statistics was employed in the analysis of the data. The study revealed the factors influencing changing landuses in the area to include increase commercial activities, physical deterioration of the buildings, upgrading and accessibility of roads etc, it also revealed problems noticed along roads as a result of changing landuse and implication of changing landuse in the study area. The study recommends that the embarking on landuse and transportation studies, monitoring of landuses in the study area and others. This when done will bring about proper development. Keywords: Land use, Property values, Parking space, Major roads, Traffic congestion
This study assessed the morphometric, landuse and lithological attributes of five basins (Iwaraja, Ilesa, Olupona, Osogbo I and Osogbo II) with particular reference to flood hazards in Ilesa and Osogbo metropolis, Osun State Nigeria. Ilesa town is situated within Iwaraja and Ilesa basins while Osogbo metropolis spread across Olupona, Osogbo I and Osogbo II basins. Twenty-three morphometric parameters were computed from DEM-based vector data for the sub-basins using GIS techniques. Image analysis technique of unsupervised classification was adopted to generate landuse map for the sub-basins. Classification was based on six landuse classes that were identified on the satellite imagery and confirmed by field investigations. Statistical analyses of the classification results were undertaken. Also, lithology of the basin was analyzed. Morphometric characteristics of Osogbo I, Osogbo II and Olupona drainage basins have the tendency to trigger high impact floods while flood hazard is relatively low in Iwaraja and Ilesa basins. However, relief attributes suggest possible exposure to flash flood particularly along the banks of main channel of Ilesa basin. Landuse analysis indicates that more than 85 percent of Osogbo I, Osogbo II and Olupona basins are built up and consequently impervious, leading to low infiltration-runoff ratio. Less than 32 percent of Iwaraja and Ilesa basins are built up while more than 66 percent of the basins are covered by vegetation of varying degrees of thicknesses, leading to high infiltration-runoff ratio. Occurrences of heavily fissured quartz schist in Iwaraja basin also contribute to high infiltration potential in part of Ilesa town. Consequently, Osogbo metropolis is highly susceptible to flood hazards compared to Ilesa town where potential flood dangers are easy to manage. Keywords : Morphometry, Landuse, Flood Hazards, Exposure, Urbanization
A field experiment was carried out to determine the predominate order of insects associated with Bambara groundnut and to compare the efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts of Jatropha ( Jatropha curcas ) and lemon grass ( Cymbopogon citratu s), used as bio-pesticides in controlling some field insect pests of Bambara groundnut. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) using four treatments with four replications. The following parameters were recorded and used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments; flower population, weight of pods (damaged and undamaged pods), number of pods (damaged and undamaged pods), number of holes on damaged pods and number of insects. The results of the experiment showed that insects of seven distinct Orders- Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera attack Bambara groundnut with each affecting the plant at different stages of the plant’s development. The bio-pesticides significantly (P <0.05) reduced the effects of attack by insects when compared to the control. Lemon grass was the most effective of the bio-pesticides evaluated and can be used by resource poor farmers in the management of Bambara groundnut on the field. Keywords: Bambara groundnut, bio-pesticide, Cymbopogon citratus , Jatropha curcas
An investigation on the availability and distribution of Lindane (HCHs) and Total organochlorine phosphate (TOCP) in the surface waters and sediments of selected water bodies in Agbede wetlands was carried out from December, 2012 to May, 2014 in order to cover seasonal trends in both matrixes. A Gas Chromatograph model Hewlett-Packard (HP9) 5890 Series II equipped with 63Ni Electron Capture Detector (ECD) of activity 15 mCi with an auto sampler was employed for the analysis of the water and sediment samples in the laboratory under standard condition. Spatial and temporal variations showed that the concentrations of TOCP closely followed that of Lindane in surface water and was a replica in the sediment matrix. Meanwhile, the values obtained for Lindane and TOCP in the sediment were slightly higher than (about 3 folds) that in the surface waters. The concentrations of pesticides in the surface waters and sediments of lotic and lentic ecosystems in Agbede wetlands were found to be far below the set limit of 0.01μgL -1 by the Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria (FMEnv) and World Health Organisation (WHO) respectively. The low values recorded in this study suggested seldom application of pesticides particularly on a subsistence form and therefore not indicative of possibility of any serious health issues. Key Words: Below Detection Limit, Concentrations, Ecological Zone, Lindane
This study examined the effect of forest degradation on livelihood returns in Government forest reserves of Ogun State. Primary data used in the study were obtained in a multi-stage random sampling procedure across non-degraded and degraded forests. Both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods were employed for data analysis. Different forest based livelihood and returns were investigated in this study and the Levene’s test results showed that there is disparity in the livelihood returns across the non-degraded and degraded forests. Logistic regression results revealed that gender, number of household members working and earning income, number of children in the household, earning income from tree crops and earning income from hunting were statistically significant factors influencing forest degradation within the study area. Therefore, the study recommends that strong and participatory forest management practices should be encouraged to ensure that tree crop farming and hunting are monitored and done without hurting the forest. Keywords: Forest degradation, Livelihood returns, Government Forest Reserve, Ogun State
This study was designed to assess the impact quarry mining effluent discharge impacted soil on growth parameters and phytochemical constituents of edible vegetables. Three quarry mining sites were used for the study that covered wet and dry seasons. Plant growth such as plant height, leaf area, internodes and plant collar diameter were measured while plant phytochemical composition was analysed using Gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Results indicated decrease in plant growth and plant chlorophyll content in dry season compared to wet season (P<0.05). This values were however significantly lower than the control. Phytochemical constituents of vegetables as observed from this study increased in dry season in response to trace metal stress. The results imply that mining activities impacted negatively on the growth of these edible vegetables. This is indicative of potential health risk that may be associated with prolonged consumption of edible vegetables grown in these soils. Hence farmers should be discouraged from planting edible plants around these quarry sites as this may have detrimental effect on health of consumers. Key Words: Quarry mining, Phytochemicals, Edible vegetables, Plant growth, Effluent discharge
This study examined the spatial variation in residents’ accessibility to land for housing development in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. A set of questionnaire were designed. The questionnaire targeted the residents’ and was administered using systematic random sampling method on household heads living in one out of every twenty fifth (25th) houses located in the six (6) political wards selected in the high, medium and low density residential areas of Ibadan metropolis. A total of 405 household heads were selected for questionnaire administration out of the 10, 703 household heads. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques of data analysis were employed. The linear regression results on the spatial variation in residents’ level of accessibility to land for housing development showed differences in the level of residents’ accessibility where the coefficient of determination (r 2 ) accounted for 88.8%, 88.3% and 88.1% variance in the high, medium and low density residential areas respectively. The study concluded that since most land transactions took place outside the formal land use planning mechanism created by the government, land accessibility will improve if special consideration is given to the factors influencing land accessibility in the study area. Key Words : Land accessibility, Spatial variation, Housing development, Ibadan Metropolis
Oil spill negatively impacts man and his environment, thereby affecting human lives, animals and plants. The occurrence of it has increased in Nigeria specifically, Lagos State, bringing grave environmental and economic effects. Thus, this paper assessed the impact and vulnerability of oil spill posed in the study area and the possibility of a management strategy, from satellite imageries (Landsat ETM + 7 (2011) and Landsat ETM + 8 (2014 and 2015)) to water and soil surveys using Geospatial techniques. The result showed in total, that there was a rise in built-up areas of the land cover classification of about 58.9 % and a decline of 29.1 % in vegetation for 2011, 2014 and 2015. Heavy metal such as Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and Phosphate (PO 4 ) tested in water and soil were apparent, with phosphate (PO 4 ) having the highest concentration of 289.370 mg/l in water and 3.750 mg/ in soil. This paper concludes that oil spill affected the study area and thus there is a need for an effective and efficient response management system in Nigeria. Keywords: Oil Spills, Land Cover Change, Heavy Metals, Emergency Response Model
This study examined the barrenness and clustered commercial activities along the rural-urban fringe of an emerging city (Lokoja, Nigeria) and tried to establish the inhabitant's preferred development pattern for road corridors at the fringe of the city. Questionnaire and photographs were utilized as research instruments for this study. Two roads: Abuja-Lokoja road (Nataco area) and the Lokoja-Kabba road towards the Kabba junction area were purposively selected for the study, and 204 copies of a questionnaire were randomly administered and 184 duly completed copies analyzed. Photographs were used as a surrogate to assess people’s perception of the environment. Thirty (30) photographs taken within 10km stretch were used. Six of the photographs served as “base” images and the remaining 24 as composite images of computer simulation and pictures adapted from similar research as an ideal situation. Five points Likert scale was used to measure respondent’s preference. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to analyse the participants’ responses to the questionnaire. The results revealed a high preference for an improved design with nature incorporated in developing commercial strip along the highway and low preference for existing billboard and haphazard development of the base images presented. It also revealed that design of roadways and commercial strip developments at the fringe could also have health implications. The paper suggests that trees and nature plants, in particular, should be used to improve visual quality and reduce Co2 in the Atmosphere through carbon sequestration. Keywords: Rural–urban fringe; Landscape preferences; Commercial development; Road corridors; Highway design
This study examined the quality of hand-dug wells in Sabon-Gari area of Zaria, Nigeria. Three sets of sampled hand dug-wells were used for the study. They are small, medium and large wells classified based on their diameter. Water samples were collected from twenty-seven (27) different wells at strategic locations in the city to ascertain suitability of water from the well for human consumption with little or no treatment. The physico-chemical and micro-biological parameters assessed include pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total hardness, dissolved solids, total solids, nitrate, chloride, total bacterial count and total coliform count using standard laboratory techniques. Mean values of results obtained were compared with regulatory standards for drinking water by World Health Organization (WHO). Analysis of variance was used to test if there is more variance between the samples than within them. The results revealed high variation between the WHO standards and the obtained values from well water samples. With the exception of pH that fall within the range, the values for total hardness, total dissolved solid, DO, nitrate, chloride and conductivity fall below, while the values for temperature, BOD, bacteria count and coliform count are above the WHO standards. The study therefore recommends that wells should be sited at least 30m away from a possible source of contamination while the surrounding environment should be kept clean and tidy to avoid or reduce contamination. Keywords : Well water, Quality, Parameters, WHO standards, Zaria
This study investigated the degree of agricultural mechanization index on the performance of farm settlement schemes in Nigeria. Seven farm settlements were selected for this study. Farm mechanization index of the farm settlements was determined and subjected to SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to ascertain their internal strengths, weaknesses, external opportunities and threats confronting farm settlements. Results of the farm mechanization index obtained for each of the farm settlement were 53.6% for Ilora, 56.2% for Akufo, 47.8% for Ogbomosho, 53.6% for Ijaye, 47.7% for IresaAdu, 51.6% for Esa– Oke and 43.2% for Iyin-Ekiti. This study revealed that farm mechanization is at semi – mechanized level on the farm settlements and the SWOT analysis indicated that farmers have potential strengths with training facilities, variable climatic conditions (adequate rainfall and soil resources) and purchase of agricultural inputs from cooperative societies but their potential weakness are due to low level of educational background, lack of basic infrastructural facilities and lack of guarantee farm level prices and ready markets for their products in order to maximize profits. The external opportunities lie on the growth of agro allied industries and employment opportunities among young graduates, while external threats are inconsistencies in agricultural policies and lack of adequate insurance policy on crop failure. Hence, failure of farm settlements in Nigeria is subjected to lack of funds at research and operational stage of the project, inappropriate measure of farm mechanization and lack of competent skilled men in the area of implementation, maintenance of farm machinery and equipment which was plague with political internal operating problem.
