Provision of portable drinking water is of public health concern especially in developing countries where this is unavailble. The bacteriological quality of well water in Wukari metropolis was examined. A total of fifteen samples, five from each of the three wards (Puje, Hospital and Avyi) in Wukari were analyzed for total bacteria load, total coliform and presence of bacteria species using standard microbiological techniques. The result showed that the total viable count of bacteria in all the samples ranged from 0.86×10 4 cfu/ml (W5A) to 3.04×10 4 cfu/ml (W14P). Total coliform ranged from 0.24×10 2 cfu/ml (W5A) to 1.84×10 2 cfu/ml (W13P). Bacteria isolated showed that Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from samples W1A, W2A, W3A, W4A, W8H, W9H, W12P and W13P, Pseudomonas species was present in W1A, W3A, W4A, W7H and W15P, Escherichia coli was isolated from W1A, W5A, W7H, W8H, W9H, W11P and W14P, Klebsiella species and Enterococcus species were isolated from W2A and W3A, W6H and W10H respectively. Salmonella species was present in W2A, W10H, W11P and W14P, Enterobacter species present in W5A, W13P and W15P while Proteus species was isolated from samples W6H, W7H, W8H, W12P and W15P. The occurrence of the organisms showed that Staphylococcus aureus was the highest (53.33%) followed by Escherichia coli (46.67%), Pseudomonas species and Proteus species (33.37%), Salmonella species (26.67%), Enterobacter species (20.00%) while Klebsiella species and Enterococcus species were the least with 13.33% occurrence respectively. The study has shown high level of bacterial contamination in all the samples. Hence, the need for well maintenance and hygienic practices by households to reduce the risk of disease outbreak from the organisms encountered in this study.
Our primary concern of air pollution problem was a transboundary movement of air pollutants to Japan from the pollutant generating country because of geographic and meteorological reasons. An electrostatic air purification screen (EAPS) was devised to capture particulate matter (PM) in smoke, which can cause health problems. The EAPS consisted of three layers of insulated conductor wires (ICWs) and two voltage generators that supplied negative charges to the two outer ICW layers and a positive charge to the middle ICW layer. The ICWs generated an attractive force that captured fine particles in the smoke passing through the EAPS. The attractive force was directly proportional to the applied voltage. At ≥4.5 kV, the EAPS exerted sufficient force to capture all fine particles carried in an airflow of 3 m/s. Results showed that the electrostatic barrier that formed inside the EAPS was effective at capturing PM, allowing homes and working environments to remain PM-free and healthy, despite continuous PM exposure.
Environmental flow is essential for restoring ecological health of a river. Reviewing water quality is integral determinant for exploring Environmental Flow Requirements (EFR) of any river. Vishwamitri is a seasonal river, affected by various Point Sources (PS) and Non-point Sources (NPS) of pollution. This study projects the assessment of various general physico-chemical parameters, heavy metals and biological parameters for water samples collected from various seven sampling stations along the Vishwamitri River. From the analysis it is observed that both BOD and COD values are found more whereas DO values are found less than the desirable limit in downstream water of Vishwamitri in all seasons. The colour of water is mostly observed changing from colourless to slight yellow at downstream stretch of the river in both the premonsoon and monsoon seasons. River near Kalaghoda Bridge in Vadodara City has represented odorous water quality in all seasons. At most of the sampling locations, total coliforms counts were exceeding the limits of standard of class „C‟ during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. In monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, most of the sampling stations represented considerably less counts of fecal coliforms. The values of iron and zinc were also observed higher than desirable limit at few sampling stations. Slight changes in the water quality of the river water were observed due to dilution and variation in flow conditions during the monsoon and post-monsoon period. Continuous monitoring of water quality of Vishwamitri and implementation of action plans to control pollution of river is an urgent need.
The present study was aimed to investigate the occurrence of mycorrhiza in an inland ultramafic mountain ecosystem to determine if the extreme soil conditions associated with high concentrations of toxic heavy metals could deter their presence across various elevation gradients. Twelve (12) sampling plots distributed across the major elevation gradient were used in this study. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 30cm and were analyzed to determine the heavy metal content. The standard protocol in the separation of spores was followed. Spore identification was based on existing literatures. Results revealed four genera of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) which includes Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora and Entrophospora. Among the four genera, Glomus was the most abundant and widespread comprising of 40 species while Acaulospora sp. and Entrophospora sp. were the least observed. Further, no significant correlation was observed between mycorrhizal spore count to nickel and chromium implying that these heavy metals did not significantly affect the occurrence and distribution of mycorrhiza. However, a similar pattern of decreasing spore count with increasing elevation was also observed in comparison to tropical mountain forest ecosystems with normal soil conditions.
Understanding the biodiversity indices provide key information for the conservation and management of natural aquatic ecosystem. The present study was conducted in the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest of Bangladesh from April to October 2016 to assess the biodiversity status of indigenous fish species. A total 62 fish species comprising 28 threatened species were recorded. Cypriniformes (37.46%) was the most dominant order while Anguiliformes (0.026%) was in lest dominant. Among the identified fish species 19.98% was recorded as threatened following IUCN. The Mean Shannon-Wiener index, Margalef richness index, Pielou‟s evenness index and Simpson dominance index were counted as 3.690±0.191, 9.497± 1.314, 0.971±0.003 and 0.982±0.003, respectively. In case of similarity percentages analysis, the highest number of similar species was found during July to August and the lowest during April to October. It may be concluded that Ratargul swamp forest is enriched with fish biodiversity.
Assessment of air quality in Uyo metropolis was carried out by monitoring levels of nitrogen (IV) oxide, sulphur (IV) oxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon (II) oxide, ammonia, chlorine gas and suspended particulate matter at four major locations within the study area for one week. Results obtained indicated higher mean concentrations of CO, NH3 and Cl2 in the morning hours, NO2, H2S and SPM in the afternoon while, SO2 did not vary considerably between these periods. Levels of these air particulates were above their recommended standards by FEPA indicating their nuisance status. However, Air quality index classified NO2 and SO2 in the very poor class, CO in moderate class while NH3 and SPM were in the very good category. Correlation analyses showed that, NO2 and SO2 exhibited strong positive relationships with H2S, CO and Cl2. Hydrogen sulphide showed common source and strong correlation with CO, NH3 and Cl2. Carbon (II) oxide correlated positively and significantly with Cl2 and SPM while, chlorine indicated significant positive association with SPM. Principal component analysis indicated two (2) major factors with 91.39% of total variance. Factor 1 represented impacts of fuel combustion and vehicular emissions whereas; factor 2 represented influences of organic matter decomposition and petroleum processing.
Amidoamines have been synthesized based on the mixture of synthetic petroleum and oxy acids (SPA + OSPA) and polyethylene polyamine (PEPA). Physical and chemical indices of amidoamines have been identified. Complexes have been prepared from the amidoamine and HCl (Example 1), H3PO4 (Example 2), HNO3 (Example 3) in ratio 1:1. The kinetic effect of steel corrosion in 1% NaCl solution saturated with CO2 has been studied in ACM Gill AC potentiometer, at 50°C. Investigation was conducted at 25 and 50 ppm of each complex. It was found that, in Example 1 at 25 ppm after 20 hours of research the protection effect was 97.5%, at 50 ppm 97.3%. In Example 2 at 25 and 50 ppm corrosion protection were 92% and 90.4% after 20 hours of research. In Example 3 at 25 and 50 ppm after 20 hours of research protective effects were 97.5 and 97.3%. It was determined that, amidoamine derivatives obtained from SPA + OSPA and PEPA, at 25 ppm was the best result-98.3%. By Calculated Gibbs free energy and the image of the surface of used electrode it has been proved that, a complex in different concentrates easily was exposed to chemisorption on metal surface. Therefore protective film formed on the surface was stable.
The radiological hazard indices due to the radioactivity in soils at quarry sites in Ayadehe, Oku Iboku, Odiok Itam and Ntak Inyang villages in Itu Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were evaluated. Soil samples were randomly collected at the depth of 30 cm in different locations from each of the quarry site. The radionuclide activity concentrations in the soil samples were measured using gamma spectroscopy method. The average values of 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th obtained is (143.54+7.56) BqKg -1 , (2.47+0.26) BqKg -1 and (3.70+ 0.22) BqKg -1 respectively for Ayadehe, (73.69+3.89) Bqkg -1 ,(2.04+0.24) BqKg -1 and (2.85+0.17) BqKg - 1 for Oku Iboku, (33.96.54+1.79) BqKg -1 , (8.84+0.92) BqKg -1 and (3.01+ 0.22) BqKg -1 for Odiok Itam and (63.77+3.34) Bqkg -1 , (7.81+0.84) BqKg -1 and (2.31+0.14) BqKg -1 for Ntak Inyang quarry sites. The average values obtained for radium equivalent, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, internal hazard index, external hazard index and excess lifetime cancer risk are 18.81 BqKg -1 , 9.80 nGyh -1 , 0.0614mSvy -1 , 0.1491, 0.0574, 0.0444 and 0.2163x10 -3 respectively for Ayadehe and 11.78 BqKg -1 , 5.93 nGyh -1 , 0.0365 mSvy -1 , 0.0912, 0.0373, 0.0315 and 0.1291x10 -3 respectively for Oku Iboku, 15.74 BqKg -1 , 7.22nGyh -1 , 0.0582 mSvy -1 , 0.1115, 0.0664, 0.0436 and 0.2046 x10 -3 respectively for Odiok Itam and 16.04 BqKg -1 , 7.61 nGyh -1 , 0.0933mSvy -1 , 0.1117, 0.0644, 0.0433 and 0.1850x10 -3 respectively for Ntak Inyang quarry sites. The values for the indices obtained when compared with their corresponding world permissible limits were found to be below the standard limits for such environments. Therefore the level of exposure at the study areas presently poses no significant health threat; hence, the quarry products of these areas can be used as building material.
Intensive oil activities within the study area have elevated the level of toxic substances in both aquatic and terrestrial environments of the host communities. Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Tilapia zilli from Qua Iboe River estuary (QIRE) Nigeria and the carcinogenic health risk induced by its consumption were studied. Fish samples were collected from five stations and a Control during wet and dry seasons and analyzed for PAHs using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. Carcinogenic health risk assessment using recommended models by USEPA was done. Concentrations of total PAHs ranged from 1.527E-03 to 5.986E-02 mg/kg, high molecular weight PAHs recorded a range of 1.239E-03 to 1.424E-01 mg/kg while low molecular weight PAHs ranged from 2.814E-04 to 3.166E-03 mg/kg. Concentrations of C-PAHs at the study area were higher than at the Control site. Levels of B(a)P in Tilapia zilli for both seasons were lower than the EU limit however, the potency equivalent concentrations due to exposure to C-PAHs via its at all locations in both seasons were above the screening value. Thus, consumption of Tilapia zilli from the area studied may result in carcinogenic health effect. The study also identified presence of anthropogenic inputs of PAHs and pyrogenic PAHs originated from gas flaring in the area. Regulatory legislation on environment should be instituted to forestall sub lethal effect on aquatic flora, fauna and human. Keyword: Health Risk Assessment; Nigeria; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon; Qua Iboe River Estuary and Tilapia zilli.
A study was conducted to assess the enzyme profiles of microorganisms isolated from biologically damaged art- work. A total of 15 paintings were screened for fungi and bacteria using standard microbiological methods. Aspergillus spp (26.2%) and Bacillus spp (21.4%) were the most common causes of spoilage among 42 isolates. Representative fungal and bacterial isolates (n=14) were screened for 20 enzymes. All isolates (100%) possessed cellulolytic and phosphate mobilizing enzymes; 79% produced lipid-degrading enzymes. In the light of the changing industrial demand for the use of enzyme-based processes and non-animal enzyme sources, these microbial populations have a promising role.
