The estimation of hydraulic conductivity indicates how fluids flow through a substance and thus determine the water balance in the soil profile. In determining the saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil, five plots of 5.0 x 4.0 m were prepared with a PVC access tube installed in each plot. The plots were ponded profusely and surface covered with grass to prevent water loss by evaporation or water input by rain. The readings were taken twice daily for over a period of 5 days using capacitance probe with trade name Diviner 2000. The Diviner 2000 uses the method that utilizes the high dielectric constant of water compare to soil and air to determine water content of the soil. The trend lines of hydraulic conductivity has its linear regression r = 0.8296 - 0.9273 and its saturated hydraulic conductivity in the range of 5.09 cmh-1 – 14.03cmh-1 and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the range of 0.700 cmh-1 – 0.785 cmh-1. This reveals that soil water content can be obtained reasonably well from a capacitance probe which will allow for a determination of the pattern and use of the referred soil.

Water balance approach is the simplest method in the study of plant water consumption. The experiment was established in 4.0 x 5.0 m plots in a randomized complete block design containing six (6) treatments water application (3-days, 4-days, 5-days, 6-days, 7-days and 8-days which correspond to T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively) using gravity methods with four replications giving a total of twenty four (24) plots. One Polyvinylchloride (PVC) access tube was installed in the centre of each plots and measurements were taken daily over the growth season of March to June. The Diviner 2000 uses the method that utilizes the high dielectric constant of water compared to soil and air to determine water content of the soil. The research result from the experimental field of maize (95-TZEEY) on measurement of soil water status using capacitance probe (Diviner 2000) for three dry seasons are presented. Keywords: Water, Diviner, Probe, Soil

We used in this study Compton suppression method and epithermal neutron activation analysis to determine the concentration of nutrients and heavy metals in Nigerian food and beverages. The work was performed at the University of Texas TRIGA Reactor by short, medium, and long irradiation protocols, using thermal flux of 1.4×1012ncm−2s−1 and epithermal flux of 1.4×1011ncm−2s−1. Application of Compton suppression method has reduced interferences from Compton scattered photons thereby allowing easy evaluation of Na, Cl, Ca, Cu, Mn, Mg, Co, Cr, Rb, Fe, and Se. The epithermal NAA method has enabled determination of Cd, As, Ba, Sr, Br, I, and V with little turn-around time. Quality Control and Quality Assurance of the method was tested by analyzing four Standard Reference Materials (non-fat powdered milk, apple leaves, citrus leaves, and peach leaves) obtained from National Institute for Standards and Technology. Our results show that sorghum, millet, and maize have high values of Zn, Mn, Fe, low values of Cd, As, and Se. Powdered milks, rice, beans, and soybeans were found to have moderate amounts of all the elements. Tobacco recorded high content of Cd, Mn, and As, whereas tea, tsobo leaves, Baobab leaves, and okro seed have more As values than others. However, biscuits, macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles show lower concentrations of all the elements. The distribution of these nutrients and heavy metals in these food and beverages shows the need to fortify biscuits and pastas with micro and macro-nutrients and reduce the use of tobacco, tea, tsobo leaves, Baobab leaves, and Okro seed to avoid intake of heavy elements.

A 2 year old malnourished girl who developed an extensive subcutaneous emphysema complicating measles infection is hereby reported.

No Abstract. Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 4(2) 2004: 40-43

The first nuclear reactor in Nigeria, the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), is a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR). It was specifically acquired for elemental analysis by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. In this work, routine experimental schemes for the determination of over 30 elements of interest in different sample matrices have been developed. In order to validate the experimental procedures the following standard reference materials, IAEA-359 (Cabbage), IAEA-336 (Lichen), GSR-5 and GSD-11 (Chinese Geochemical Rock Standards), as well as IAEA-SL-3 and IAEA-405 (Sediments) were analyzed. Validated results are presented for the following elements Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hf, In, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb and Zn. To further assess analytical capabilities of the facilities, the detection limits are presented.

Soils and river sediments sampled around the vicinity of the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) were investigated for their physical properties, morphology, and trace element levels as part of a the reactor pre-operational environmental monitoring campaign. Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), was chosen as the analytical technique of interest via the k0-Standardization method. We identified Fe, Zn, Co, Na, K, Rb, Sc, Cs, Sb, Br, Ba, La, Hf, W, Yb, Cr, U, Th, Lu, Ce, Nd, Ta, and Tb as elements at different concentrations in both matrices. Gold and Zirconium foils were used as the single comparator and thermal neutron flux monitor respectively during the reactor irradiations. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Soil-7 was used for the quality control of the measurements to ensure precision of the analytical process, which was found to be better than 5% within the confidence interval specified for each of the elements. *This project was initially funded by the Centre for Energy Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria, is equally acknowledged for an IAEA Fellowship (NIR 99002) to one of us (I. O. B. Ewa) at the Institute of Nuclear Techniques (INT), Technical University of Budapest, Hungary, where the analytical part of the work on k0-Standardization was done. We also appreciate the use of the INT facilities for the Monte Carlo evaluation. 17 2010, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc. doi: 10.2190/ES.32.1.c http://baywood.com INTRODUCTION The Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), installed at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is the first nuclear reactor in the country. This reactor which was critical on February 3, 2004, is one of the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) type, small, compact, safe with a power output of 30 kW, and neutron flux of about 1.0 × 1012 cm–2 s–1 (SAR, 1999). NIRR-1 is equally a low-hazard research reactor of the tank-in-pool type. The core is immersed in water to a depth of 5.7 m and during normal operations the release of radioactivity to the environment is considered very low below the limits that could cause any radiological impact either to the workers or the environment. NIRR-1 is a low power research reactor when compared with the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island reactors whose high power-ratings make them capable of supplying sufficient thermal energy output for the generation of electricity. By its design therefore, it is anticipated that NIRR-1 will not pose any serious problems if operated strictly in compliance with internationally accepted regulations and procedures. However, being a nuclear facility, its pre-installation requirements necessitated an investigation of several site characteristics including base-line radiological levels, meteorology, physical properties of the soil, geological survey of the area, seismic state of the region, and levels of trace elements within the reactor environs. The investigation on the trace element levels became necessary in order to allay fears of any environmental degradation in trace element levels while the reactor is in operation. It is for this reason that a pre-operational campaign of the trace element levels for both terrestrial an aquatic environment surrounding the reactor was undertaken. Soil and sediment samples from the study site were subjected to Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using the k0-Standardization method. STUDY SITE The study site is the location of the research reactor within the Samaru savannah plains which could be referred to in the Nigeria Geological Topographic Map Sheet No. 102 SW Zaria, bounded by latitudes 110° 8 N and 11° 10 N as well as longitudes 7° 41 E and 7° 42 E. EXPERIMENTAL Sampling Soil samples were taken around marked points within the vicinity of the reactor building and toward the flood plains where the run-off surface water drains into the Kubanni river. This river drains the entire Samaru plains including the 18 / EWA, OLADIPO AND UMAR

The first nuclear research reactor in Nigeria has been commissioned for neutron activation analysis and limited radioisotope production. In order to extend its utilization to include the k0-standardization method, the following neutron spectrum parameters in inner and outer irradiation channels were determined by the “Cd-ratio for multi-monitor method”: the thermal-to-epithermal flux ratio, f, and the epithermal flux shape factor, α. Neutron spectrum parameters determined in the inner irradiation channel B2, are: α = -0.052±0.002 and f = 19.2±0.5. For the outer irradiation channel B4, the neutron spectrum parameters were found to be α = +0.029±0.003 and f = 48.3±3.3. The results are compared with the neutron spectrum parameters of other reactor facilities with similar core configuration such as the Slowpoke and Miniature Neutron Source Reactor facilities available in the literature.

An irradiation procedure with fast and thermal neutrons from a 5 Ci Am-Be isotopic neutron source irradiation facility in combination with a 3''3' NaI(Tl) detector system has been used to determine Al/Si weight ratios in alumino-silicates. Samples were irradiated with and without Cd cover for 10 minutes and counted for 10 minutes after a waiting time of 1 minute. The peak area analysis of the 1779 keV gamma-ray line of 28 Al product radionuclide produced via 27 Al(n,γ) 28 Al and 28 Si(n,p) 28 Al reactions in combination with the neutron flux parameter at the irradiation site and nuclear data were used to determine Al/Si ratios. Due to discrepancy in literature data, Am-Be neutron source spectrum averaged cross sections of (n,p) reactions on 27 Al, 28 Si and 56 Fe were determined by the activation technique using 115 In(n,n') 115m In as the fast neutron flux monitor reaction. The method was tested using mixtures of high-purity Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 with known weight ratios of Al/Si and validated by a certified reference material BCS-CRM 348 (Ball Clay). Results are presented for bentonite, kaolin, bauxite, feldspar and ball clay samples from Nigeria. The method is non-destructive, rapid and suitable for use in-situ for large-scale exploration works and industrial process control.

Bauxite exploration involves routine analysis of a large number of samples for a wide range of elements. In Nigeria, though geological field exploration for bauxite started almost three decades ago very little has been achieved, mainly due to the non-availability of facilities for evaluating the dozens of suspected bauxite deposits scattered around the country. In this regard, a procedure for the rapid, accurate and precise measurement of a number of important elements in bauxite has been developed based on the newly acquired radioisotope based EDXRF spectrometer. Elements and oxides analyzed are Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, Fe2O3, K2O, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb and Pb. The richest bauxite sample has concentrations of 48.08, 18.90, 1.26, 7.71 and 1.93wt% for Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, Fe2O3, and K2O, respectively. The other values in ppm are Mn (302), Co (532), Cu (45), Zn (51), Ga (41), Rb (32), Sr (222), Y (32), Zr (849), Nb (89) and Pb (72). The measurement errors in terms of accuracy and precision are less than 5% and 10% and 5% and 15% for major and trace elements, respectively. Statistical correlation analysis carried out on the results shows the most significant relationships to be the negative correlations of alumina with silica, iron oxide and titanium. This is believed to be related to the processes of formation of bauxite, with the Si and Fe–Ti being removed as Al was being enriched.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using Ghana's low flux Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) was utilized to analyze twelve trace elements namely Al, Au, As, Br, Cl, Ga, K, Mn, Mo, Na, V and Zn in seven different crude petroleum samples from different oil fields in the Niger/Delta region of Nigeria. The results obtained indicate that the concentration ranges of the elements show some variability in compositions and concentrations from field to field. The measured low As and S contents of the samples suggest that the crude oils have low hazardous impact on the environment.

The deposition pattern of PM10 particulate matter in human respiratory tract was determined using EPA lung deposition model and multi-elemental data of PM10 particulate matter collected from manual quarry activities. The deposition of major, minor and trace elements was estimated in terms of three anatomical compartments of the human respiratory system, which have important functional distinctions thus providing a basis for direct hazard evaluations. The results obtained suggest total deposition efficiency ranging from 0.44 to 0.76 for elements Al, K, Ca, Ti, Si, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. These values are high and hazardous and thus control measures are recommended. Key words: PM10 particulate matter; Stacked filter unit; Total reflection X-ray fluorescence; Deposition Model; Deposition fraction. [Global Jnl Environ Sci Vol.2(1) 2003: 23-26]

Instrumental neutron activation analysis techniques have been developed for the determination of As, Ba, Ca, Cl, Co, Cv, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Se, Ti, V, and Zn in crude oils from Nigeria and Venezuela. The precision for the multielement analysis is less than 12% for most of the elements. The accuracy of the measurements was validated by the result obtained from the analysis of NBS-SRM 1635 (sub-bituminous) coal standard for the elements. This technique, which requires neither a chemical separation technique nor preconcentration or postconcentration of trace elements by ashing, eliminates many inherent errors associated with chemical determination. The results show that the Venezuela crude oil has higher values for Ni, V, Na, and As that has adverse effects in refinery and processing operations and, therefore, may present more technical problems in refining compared with Nigerian oil.

Abstract Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA‐AAS) was utilised for the estimation of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn, which are additives for desired properties in different lubricating oils, directly and when subjected to 500°C with and without the addition of xylene. The results show that, for the samples subjected to 500°C and treated with xylene before analysis, the coefficient of variation and, hence, precision improved for the elements. The result obtained also shows that there are no significant variations, indicating that, with the ETA‐AAS technique, the samples require no chemical pre‐treatment. This is so because the chemical matrix is removed by ashing prior to atomisation.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was utilized for the multielemental determination of elements in the roots of Ageratum conyzoides , a tropical medicinal plant that is used locally for the cure of various diseases in Nigeria. The concentrations of Al, Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, Sr, V and Zn were analyzed with the 250 kW Triga Reactor at the Atominstitut, Vienna. The essential elements K, Na, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn and the non-essential elements Al, Ba, Sr and Rb are present in significant concentrations. Other elements including Co, Cr, Sc and V are present at trace levels. The likely implication of these elements in restoring and maintaining good health is discussed. Quality control on the measurements was carried out by analyzing standard reference materials alongside the samples.

Local salts namely: Mangul, Kantu and Manda have been analysed using x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence techniques. X-ray diffraction has shown that Mangul and Kantu consist of mainly sodium chloride while Manda consists of mainly calcium potassium silicate. The major elements determined using x-ray fluorescence are: Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti and Fe, while the trace elements included V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Y and Zr. The Mangul samples were found to contain higher concentrations of Br while Manda had higher Fe concentrations. Toxic elements such as As, Pb, Sb, and Hg are non detectable, which may suggest that the salts may be safe as common salt subsititudes. Key Words: Mineral metal Salts, Carbonates, Chlorides, Sulphates, Silicates. (Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 9(1): 65-70)