Quarrying activities has been regarded as one of the informal activities which has the potential of contributing to the development and economies of communities where ever the quarry companies are installed. But at the same time, the environmental and health impacts of mining on surrounding communities have been a major concern to governments, the general public and stakeholder organizations and individuals. This paper examines the effect of quarrying activities on environmental sustainability of the Makenene community especially at “quartier carrier” in the Center region of Cameroon. To achieve the main aim of the study, three objectives were set to access the environmental impact of quarrying activities on land degradation, water, air and soil quality in Makenene sub-division, examine the effect of quarrying activities on the health of the people of the study area and to appraise the measures which have been put in place for sustainable quarry extraction with focus on environmental sustainability. Purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were used to administer 155 copies of questionnaires drawn from Miller and Brews (2003) sample determination method. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The major findings showed that quarrying activities have significantly affected the “quartier carrier” in Makenene countryside as it has led to environmental degradation, water and air quality distortion. The findings also proved that there have been considerable human health problems resulting from quarrying activities. Based on the findings, the study strongly recommends the government bench of Cameroon to effectively implement its mining/quarry laws and make sure prior Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), monitoring and evaluation are effective to see that quarry companies operate within the legal frameworks while maintaining environmental sustainability. Keywords: Environmental degradation, Natural resource exploitation, Quarry, Sustainability DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022
The poor state of the environment, especially in urban areas, has become a major global issue, with developing countries such as Nigeria voicing growing concern. There is a scarcity of knowledge on the environmental impact of PFSs as a result of the loss of life and property, as well as other serious socio-economic implications of non-compliance with PFSs siting criteria. The historical literature on the impact of residential buildings, the environment, and human health on PFSs in Nigeria, as well as the study's gap, is examined in this research. It also outlines DPR compliance with PFSs location as well as established criteria for prohibiting PFS sitting in Nigeria's states. Relevant publications on PFSs-related topics were downloaded from Google Scholar. The goal of this study is to look back on a previous essay about PFSs in Nigeria and its impacts on the environment and human health. This study's main purpose is to give a complete overview of Nigerian PFSs. According to the article analyzed, the majority of PFSs were located close to residents, with setbacks from the road and residential areas of less than 30 m in 90% of the filling stations. As a result, the landowners can band together to argue that a facility that is improperly sited cannot be built. A great deal of public participation is required. A campaign should be launched to raise awareness among filling station owners and other developers of the dangers of non-compliance with established norms. All violators of the established norms, as well as corrupt officials of enforcement agencies/bodies, should face open punishment so that others might learn their lessons. Finally, appropriate planning is required to allow future road expansion.
This research presents a review on water resources in Delta state, southern part of Nigeria, with emphasis on hydrogeochemical and microbial assessment. It also evaluate factors responsible for water contamination, and their resulting health problems within the study area. To achieve the objective of this study, related articles were downloaded from Google, published article on influence of hydrogeochemical and microbial activities on water resources, these articles were thoroughly studied. Findings from this study revealed that groundwater was more studied than surface water. It was observed that groundwater within the riverine communities are much more prone to pollution when compared to groundwater in upland area. From reviewed article, it was observed that, larger percentage of groundwater showed presence of coliform. Study from reviewed article further suggested that hydrogeochemical processes such as rock water interaction, saltwater intrusion and precipitation influences groundwater quality within the study area especially within Sombreiro-Warri Deltaic Plain Deposit.
Field experimentation on crops grown in soils with multiple nutrient limiting situations is a challenge in terms of cost and time.Soil testing programs are evolving towards more realistic decision support systems for nutrient recommendations.In order to identify the most limiting nutrient(s) and evaluate the effects of their applications on yield and nutrient uptake of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on soil samples collected from Nitisols of wolaita zone.A systematic approach was used to determine the availability of nutrients in the test soils, the sorption capacities and greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate crop responses to nutrients , additions.The soil chemical analysis revealed that the amounts of total N, available P, S, Zn and Cu were deficient and less than three times the critical value in Nitisols.P, S, Zn and Cu were selected to conduct the sorption experiment.The results of the sorption experiment nutrient elements to be added to the optimum treatment were: P: 190, S: 37, Zn: 11 and Cu: 13 mg per kg soil.Soil showed a relatively high P, Zn and Cu sorption value.The highest relative biomass yield of 53% and grain yield of 32% were obtained from optimum treatment.Significant increase of N, P, S, Zn and Cu content in shoot and grain emphasized the superiority of optimum treatment.P, S, Zn and Cu in the soil are found to be highly limiting nutrients to support chickpea growth.Therefore, external supplies of P, S, Zn and Cu fertilizers could be recommended for improving production of chickpea in the study area.
The responsibility for uncovering rental discrimination falls on researchers and all stakeholders in the rental sector. The study examined discriminatory practices in Nigerian rental housing with a view to providing information that could expose the existence of discrimination. Questionnaires were administered on 417 renters and data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The study found disparate treatment of renters in the study area. Rental discriminatory practices found include “Landlord creating different terms or standards for certain tenants” which received a mean score of 3.9614; “I was told housing is not available for rental when it is, in fact, available” received a mean rating of 3.8410; “I was denied negotiation for a rental” (3.4892). The study also revealed that real estate agents discriminate, landlords and tenants also discriminate. Some rental discriminatory forms are subtle and this explain why rental discrimination has proved to be difficult to detect or eliminate. The study recommends for continued fair housing enforcement activities to ensure that all have equal opportunity to housing. Keywords : Discrimination, rental housing, landlords, renters DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-12-04 Publication date: December 31 st 2021
The study was conducted to evaluate soil micronutrients status and to investigate soil–plant nutrient relationships, in West Showa Zone, during 2018/2019 GC. A total of 30 samples randomly taken from each field of wheat and teff-growing fields were used for soil and plant sample collection. The extractable micronutrients were determined using DTPA soil test extraction procedure. The study shows that mean values micronutrients were in the order of Fe>Zn> Mn> Cu at both study area of soil types. Descriptive statistics was carried out to reveal the soil - plant relationships. The soil was low Fe (201.06ppm) at Welmera and medium (191.19ppm) at Adaberga and sufficient in Zn (76.8ppm at Welmera) and (76.29ppm) at Adaberga, while, Mn was found in deficient categories. The concentration of extractable micronutrient was found in the order of Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu. The concentration of Fe (318.29ppm), Zn (6.73ppm), and Mn (53.27ppm) were recorded from wheat tissue. High concentration of Fe (ppm) at both site and sufficient in Zn, Mn and Cu concentration was recorded from plant tissue of wheat. The soil will not require supplementary application of Fe nutrient. Since concentration of Fe were above critical limits of arable land and a supplementary application of Zn, Mn and Cu nutrient were not strongly recommended to enhance the soil fertility status and soil productivity of the area.
Aim of this study is gathering secondary data and portrays a picture of the environment of Ghana under pandemic effects. Global spread of COVID-19 for quite a short time brought a considerable reduction in industrial activities, road traffic and tourism. Restricted human interaction with nature during this crisis time has appeared as a blessing for nature and environment. Reports from all over the world are indicating that after the outbreak of COVID-19, environmental conditions including air quality and water quality in rivers are improving and wildlife is blooming. Ghana has always been a hub of pollution with huge population, heavy traffics and polluting industries leading to high air pollution in the capital of Ghana-Accra. After the implementation of lockdown by the government of Ghana due to COVID-19, air quality improved and other environmental indicators such as water quality in rivers gave a positive sign towards restoring. The lockdown also had its negative effects on the environment. This study provides evidence-based insight into improvement of air quality, noise pollution during pre and post lockdown of this pandemic. Air quality indicators PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2 concentrations were factored in the analysis of the study. The study also observed no significant improvement in land littering before and after the lockdown period as face masks, coverings and plastic hand sanitizers added to the existing volume of waste in the environment. Keywords: Air quality, land littering, noise pollution, carbon emission, ozone layer. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-12-03 Publication date: December 31 st 2021
The surface of the earth is undergoing rapid land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes due to various socio-economic activities and natural phenomena. The aim of this research paper was to assess the impacts of the Land Use/Land Cover Changes (LU/LCC) on land management over the period 1989-2017 in the Adama Zuria District. Due to rapid population growth: the expansion of the settlement, agricultural expansion, illegal transaction of the land and degradation of natural resources are the most visible socio-economic and land management problem in the study area. The analysis result of the study showed that in 1989 most of the study area had been covered by farmland and shrub land. In the period between1989 and 2017, cultivated land, plantation and settlement showed incremental changes by (+72.78), (+10.16) and (+48.95) km 2 respectively. While, shrub land and bare land decreased by (-89.65) and (-42.64) km 2 , respectively. On the other hand, the socio-economic survey result reviled the above result, which showed that bare land and shrub land decreased, but, cultivated land, settlement and plantation increased in the specified time. Expansion of agricultural land, population growth and the associated demand for land were the major driving forces for the observed LU/LCC changes in the study area. The impacts of LU/LCC on land management were in term of environmental deterioration, problem related to land use planning (urban and rural), meaning expansion of the illegal settlement and tenure insecurity. Hence, land management practices, utilization of alternative energy sources and family planning education are some of the appropriate interventions to reduce this dramatic change. Keywords : Remote Sensing, GIS, LU/LCC, land tenure, land management. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-5-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2021
This study was conducted at Meti Site of Haro Sabu Agricultural research center, Oromia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and growth performance of different multipurpose trees/shrubs species and select or screen those best performed and adapted to the area. For this seedling of: Acacia senegal, Pinus patula, Callistemon citrinus, Olea africana and Spathodea nilotica were out planted on a plot of 14m*14m. The space between block of each species was 3m and Spacing between rows and within row was based on the recommendations of each species. In order to fit the given objectives growth parameter data of trees/shrubs (height, root collar diameter (only for trees< 1.3m in height), diameter at breast height (for trees ≥1.3m height) and survival rate) were collected by an interval of 6 months and Analyses of variance and LSD tests were employed to assess the results at p=0.05 using Minitab 17. As a result, the higher mean height growth was observed on Callistemon citrinus ( 2.59 m) , Spathoda nilotica ( 2.48 m) and Pinus patula ( 2.34 m). Again Gains in root collar diameter (RCD) was significantly highest on Pinus patula (37.75cm, 2.81cm) and Spathodea nilotica (32.08cm, 3.52cm).The Mean survivals of all trees grown at site were good ranging from 85.36% ( Pinus patula) to 100% ( Spathodea nilotica ( 100%). Generally this finding may help forest managers (stakeholder) to allocate species into the site that grow and adapt well. To select the most adaptable ones for such areas , use them at wider scale and increase their importance in the overall agricultural productivity (soil conservation, timber production, shading purpose, etc) and in general multifunction purposes in the area, further testing of provenances of the best performing species is recommended. Keywords: Growth performance, Meti, Relative growth rate in height (RGRH), Root collar diameter (RCD), Survival percentage. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-11-03 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth and is an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants. Cellulose should be degraded and converted to into soil and recycled through the activity of microorganisms. Bacteria play important role to degrade cellulose for their energy requirements to sustain their life. The current study was initiated to isolate and identify Cellulose Degrading Bacteria from indoor, outdoor and Cellulose rich soil by using Methyl Cellulose Agar media. Three Petri dishes with three replication both heat boiled and autoclaved containing culture media, from indoor air, outdoor air and soil has been tested for their effective Cellulose degrading bacterial growth ability. Cellulose degrading bacteria has been isolated with providing Methyl Cellulose only as carbon source. The Autoclaved outdoor air shown best result with fast growth and many bacterial colony following indoor and soil samples. These cellulose degrading bacteria has been tested for their Gram test, Catalase test, motility test and carbohydrate consumption tests and shown Gram positive as well as the rest tests were also positive results. Therefore, isolation and application of cellulose degrading bacteria will have great benefits in terms of degrading pollutants from the environment. Keywords: Cellulose, Cellulose degrading bacteria, Methyl Cellulose Agar DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-11-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Many developing nations like Nigeria, the causes of air pollution are numerous ranging from disposal of domestic and industrial wastes, bush burning, gas glaring, car exhaust, etc. all these activities affect well-being of human. Cement factory air pollution is classified as one of the sources of air pollution that increase respiratory diseases in community. This paper focuses on the dimensions of the spatial pattern, standards limit of gaseous pollutants (CO, CO 2 and SO 2 ), and health record of the community. Suspended particles were monitored using ToxiRAE II for (Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur) and ALNOR CF910 for (carbon dioxide) air sampler to assess the levels of gaseous pollutants throughout the community. Data on health was collected at the neighborhood health centers. The data was analyzed and the statistical aspect was carried on with the help of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) for the relationship between the pollutant and health record collected where the root means square (r 2 ) show the significance 0.010703, 0.845100, and 0.000733 for SO 2 , CO, and CO 2 respectively. Keywords: Air pollution; Community health ; Gaseous Pollutants; GIS DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-11-04 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Two comprehensive agricultural watershed-scale hydrological models: Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model (AnnAGNPS), have been widely used for evaluating agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP). In this study, models were developed for the Big Sunflower River Watershed (BSRW) in Mississippi, USA. Both hydrological models were successfully calibrated and validated for predicting monthly stream flow discharges from three USGS gages (Merigold, Sunflower, and Leland) within the BSRW. The model performances were reasonable with R 2 and NSE values range from 0.45 to 0.84 for SWAT, and from 0.34 to 0.66 for AnnAGNPS. Both models predicted lower stream flow discharge with conservation tillage practice as compare to conventional tillage practice BMP evaluated in this study. Overall, results showed that both SWAT and AnnAGNPS models successfully simulated hydrological conditions of the watershed with agricultural BMP, and these models can be useful for making hydrological decisions related to agricultural watershed managements. Keywords: SWAT, AnnAGNPS, tillage, streamflow, hydrology, BMP DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2021
The increasing frequency of flooding incidents in Isheri North of Ogun State is a growing concern. The overflow of the Ogun River as a result of increased volume of rainfall persistently led to flooding in communities resulting in loss of lives and properties. The study assessed the environmental and socio-economic impacts of flooding in the area. Monthly rainfall data records for 30 years (1990-2019) were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), lkeja and analyzed using basic descriptive statistical technique. Landsat images for 2000, 2015 and 2020 with 30m resolution were obtained and analyzed to determine the implications of the flooding on the inhabitants of the areas. Land uses were identified and classified from the satellite imageries help in evaluating the impacts of the floods. The data were subjected to digital image processing and supervised classification was carried out on the images of the various dates. Results obtained shows flooding has strong connection with rapid population growth and infrastructure expansion along the floodplain, inadequate setback from the river valley and unregulated urban land use. On the basis of the results, the paper suggest approaches to the challenge including: land-use planning and flood control policies including a firm control on infrastructure development. Keywords: Flooding, Geographical information system, Land cover, Landsat Imageries DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-11-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2021
Plant breeding has been made a crucial role for food and agriculture by studying and focusing on utilization of genetic diversity of plants adaptability and survival when their environments changes. Plant breeding efforts to help producers overcome the enormous challenges posed by climate change through the creation of new seed varieties with improved genetics from germplasm exhibiting stress tolerance. This field play decisive role in advancing crop varieties and hybrids to become more productive, high in quality, better adapted to a biotic and biotic stresses, as well as producing plants that can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by increasing nitrogen and CO2 input-use efficiency. However, global temperatures rising, human population, absence of urgent institute measures, limit application of new methods, lack of resources, training and capabilities, more frequent and severe drought and flooding, along with increased pressure from insects and disease, will be agriculture’s biggest challenge. On the other hand, there is great opportunities to over-come earlier mentioned problems. For instance, advances in technology have put many more tools into breeders’ hands. Technologies like molecular markers and bioinformatics and other techniques are expediting the process of analyzing and assessing traits.
204 persons were killed while two hydropower projects located in close proximity at Rishiganga (13.2 MW), and Tapoban (520 MW) were damaged in Dhauliganga flood of February 7, 2021 in the Indian Himalaya. This incidence occurred during the winter season when the discharge of the glacier fed rivers is minimal, and no rain was experienced in the region around the time of the flood. Despite discharge of the main river, Rishiganga, not involved in the flood due to damming upstream of its confluence with Raunthi Gadhera, based on field evidences massive volume of around 6 million cu m water involved in this flood is attributed to sequential intermittent damming at three different places; (i) Raunthi Gadhera was dammed first in its upper reaches, (ii) Rishiganga river was then dammed to the north of Murunna, and (iii) finally Dhauliganga river was dammed around Rini village to the upstream of its confluence with Rishiganga river. Lacking warning system only enhanced the flood-induced devastation. Legally binding disaster risk assessment regime, together with robust warning generation, and dissemination infrastructure are therefore recommended for all major infrastructure projects.
An integrated geophysical investigation was carried out at a proposed landfill site along the new Ibadan-Ilorin Expressway in Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria in order to characterize the subsurface and determine the suitability or otherwise of the site for landfill. The study location is underlain by rocks of the basement complex. 29 Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Soundings were conducted along seven traverses each about 100m long, about 20m apart, with station spacing of about 30m and half current electrode spacing varying between 1 and 100m. The VES data were interpreted quantitatively by partial curve matching and 1-D computer iteration and the layer parameters were used to generate the geoelectric sections. Wenner electrical resistivity profiling was also conducted along the traverses with station spacing of 25m and electrode spacing varied between 5 and 15m, and the data were interpreted using 2D inversion procedures. The VES results revealed three layers defined by the topsoil, clay layer and fractured/fresh bedrock. Depth to the bedrock is generally shallow with a mean of 9.0 ± 3.7m. The mean thickness of the saprolite (mainly comprising clay) is 8.6 ± 4.0m. 2D inversion of the resistivity profiling data revealed intense fracturing of the bedrock. The water table is shallow, ranging from 2 to 6m and may be rather close to the landfill base or fall within the landfill wastes. The study area is underlain by clayey overburden capable of protecting groundwater in the underlying aquifer unit from contamination by the leachate dischargeable from the landfill wastes. However, the presence of shallow water table and bedrock fractures may promote contamination of groundwater in the underlying aquifer unit and pose substantial health risk to the host community. It can therefore be concluded that the study area is not a suitable location for siting landfill.
The study targeted the aquiferous Ajali Sandstone and Nsukka Formations that underlies the Nsukka metropolis and its environs (within Latitudes 6 o 80 1 N and 6 o 89 1 N; Longitudes 7 o 21 1 E and 7 o 30 1 E), covering an area of about 210 square kilometres. Thirty four (34) cross array Vertical Electrical Sounding (using the Schlumberger electrode configuration) and records from four (4) selected boreholes have been used to investigate the subsurface distribution of electrical resistivity and to delineate hydraulic properties of aquifers in Nsukka area, Southeastern, Nigeria.The electrical surveys of the area show high values of permeability, ranging from 0.0075 to 0.015cm 2 , hydraulic conductivity, ranging from 8.29 to 16.64m/s, transmissivity, between 455.87 and 1002.48m 2 s -1 , and specific yield, ranging from 2.35 to 4.76m 3 . A tie with the results of borehole logs analysis reveals the presence of at least four layers of contrasting hydraulic conductivity. Analyses, however, suggests that the Nsukka Formation (which overlies the Ajali Sandstone) is thick and poorly conductive while the Ajali Sandstone unit is homogenous and anisotropic and has higher conductivity (especially beyond the depth of 100 m), suggesting a prolific water-bearing formation at such depth and beyond. The Ajali Sandstone aquifer in the area is thick and prolific. The distribution of major geological units, well log data, static water level data were shown to have influence on the groundwater occurrence and flow pattern in the area. Keywords: Ajali Sandstone Aquifer, Nsukka Metropolis, Resistivity measurements, Well data DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-7-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2021
Soil degradation attributed to soil erosion is one of the most serious environmental problems in Highlands of Ethopia. However, farmers’ adoption of introduced physical soil and water conservation measures and maintenance of existing PSWC measures was limited on cultivated land. This study was aimed at investigating factors affecting the adoption of introduced physical soil and water conservation practices in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda. Multi-stage sampling techniques were employed to select sample kebeles and representative households. Data were collected from 132 sample households. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. The descriptive result showed that improved soil bund and cut off drains are relatively dominant conservation structures practiced by smallholder farmers. 64.8% of the respondents did not maintain the existing soil conservation structures while only 35.2% were maintained initially adopt soil conservation structures. On the other hand, majority of the smallholder farmers (40%) and 37% were perceived medium and high soil erosion problem on their cultivated land. The logistic regression model result showed that the profitability of the structure in erosion control, extension contact, training, and perception of the household head on soil erosion problems was found to be positive and significant at a 1 % level of significance to the adoption of PSWC measure. Membership and off-farm activity were found to influence the adoption of soil conservation structures negatively and significantly. Therefore, to make the use and maintenance of PSWC measure sustainable, due attention on regular follow-up and awareness creation work should be done to enable farmers allocating their time and labour force for maintenance of soil conservation beside to other off farm activities. Keywords: Adoption, Logistic regression, Physical soil and water conservation, Soil erosion, Sustainability DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-5-03 Publication date: May 31 st 2021
Despite the public health and environmental consequences associated with medical waste, much attention has not been given to its management in health care centres in developing countries. This study assessed medical waste generation and management practices in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana. The study employed mixed methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from seventy four (74) hospital employees using structured questionnaire, interview and observation. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and t-test statistics at p<0.05. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis procedure. The study found that the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital generates an average daily medical waste of 35.12 kg (mean = 278.71, SD = 20.263; t = 36.39, p<0.05 and medical waste per patient per day was 0.1291 kg. Waste segregation was practiced using coloured bags (20.3%), metal dust bins (36.5%) and boxes (43.2%). The hospital has no written policy guidelines for handling medical waste. The poor management practices of medical waste generated in the Teaching Hospital is a situation-driven as it was not clearly backed by any well-designed policy framework. This raises many questions about the human health and environmental implications and level of attention the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and Ministry of Health (MOH) give to medical waste management practices in the Hospital. There is the need for a sustainable medical waste management system at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to avoid its negative impact on human health and the environment. Keywords: Medical Waste, Medical Waste Management, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Central Region, Ghana. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-10-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2021
Artisanal solid mineral mining in Sauna Community of Kano State has resulted to environmental consequence.This is due to heavy metal pollution. A study of the environmental effect of Granite mining in Sauna Community of Kano state was carried out. Heavy metals such as Fe, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cd were determined using Atomic absorption spectrometry. The water quality of the surface water and mine pit water was evaluated using WQI. The surface water was polluted by cadmium, lead, nickel and chromium as the mean concentration of these four heavy metals occurred at higher concentration than the prescribed levels of WHO and SON. Consequently, the water quality ranking is very poor at WQI value of 213. The mine pit water is also of poor quality having been polluted by cadmium, lead and nickel yielding WQI of 178. Water quality index was employed in the assessment of the water quality of the impacted water bodies so as to ascertain how the quality of such water bodies has been affected by the mining activities. This study assessed pollution of the soils and sediments by heavy metals arising from mining activities using contamination factor, degree of contamination, geochemical accumulation index, pollution load index and potential ecological risk index. The contamination factor (CF) for all the heavy metals in the sediments of the surface water were below the background levels hence indicating there was no contamination of these heavy metals in the sediments. Given the degree of contamination of 0.9 for the sediment which is less than 8.0, the degree of contamination of the sediment is classified as insignificant. The pollution load index (PLI) is less than unity indicating no pollution. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) is less than zero for each of the heavy metals indicating non-pollution. The potential ecological risk index of the heavy metals in the sediment is evaluated as 2.4 which is far less than 40 indicating low/insignificant ecological risks.
