Nigerian Journal of Science and Environment

Green adsorbent synthesis from orange mesocarp cellulose using graft copolymerization

2024-12-18T22:03:46+00:00

The potential of agricultural waste like orange (Citrus sinensis) mesocarp is yet to be explored. Thus, in this study the extraction of green adsorbent that will be renewable, low cost and environmentally friendly from orange mesocarp was examined. The extraction was done using alkali pretreatment method followed by bleaching process to obtain cellulose and dissolve the hemicellulose, lignin and other extractives. Then, graft copolymerisation of acrylamide onto the cellulose obtained was done using free radical initiation system. Grafting parameters were studied by varying the effects of initiator concentrations, monomer to cellulose ratio, temperature and time. Distilled water was used to extract the formed polyacrylamide (PAam) for 48 hours. And the characterization of the extracted and grafted cellulose samples was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Orange mesocarp gave a cellulose average yield of 29.1%. The optimum grafting conditions were found to be 30OC at a time interval of 2 hours, ratio of monomer to cellulose being 3:1 and initiator concentration of 0.020M. The percentages of polymerization, graft and graft efficiency were 113.40, 86.83 and 45.90 respectively. Also, the absorbance peaks of the samples confirmed that grafting was effectively carried out on the cellulose backbone.

Protective capacity assessment of a shallow aquifer at the eastern part of Ado-Ekiti, southwestern Nigeria

2024-12-18T22:07:46+00:00

Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) survey has been undertaken at the eastern part of Ado-Ekiti, southwestern Nigeria to assess the aquifer protective capacity of the overburden units of the area. The Schlumberger electrode array was adopted with a maximum current electrode spread (AB) of 300 m. Thirty-six (36) VES points was occupied and processed through a partial curve matching technique and 1-D forward modeling computer-assisted software. The interpretation revealed H, A, KH and HA-type curves and three major geoelectric layers overlying the resistive basement. The groundwater potential and overburden protective capacity maps were prepared. The groundwater in the area was categorized into high, medium and low groundwater potential zones. About 80% of the study area falls within the moderate/low groundwater potential zone while the remaining 20% constituted the high groundwater potential zone (Agric Olope area). Hence, the groundwater potential rating of other areas is considered to be low. The values of longitudinal conductance (ranging from 0.01 to 2.01 mhos) of the area enabled the overburden units to be rated into good, moderate and weak protective capacity. About 75% of the area falls within the good/moderate rating while 25% constitutes the weak/poor protective capacity rating (Agric Olope area), suggesting that the groundwater around Agric Olope is vulnerable to contamination.

Heavy metals assessment and associated potential health risk of building sediment deposition in Okpare Creek, Nigeria

2024-12-18T22:15:59+00:00

Heavy metals concentrations in sediments may pose significant threats to human health and well-being of the general ecosystem. Therefore, it's crucial to conduct a thoughtful assessment of sediment characteristics with regards to heavy metal concentration as a raw material for building in the studied area. Twenty sediment samples were collected (five each from localities) and analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The highest concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, V, Fe and Ni were 6.33, 2.65, 0.45, 1,201, 0.38, 0.00, 1026.39 and 0.65 mg/kg respectively in each of the four localities. The results exceeded both recommended limit and other scientist report of similar environment. Also, the health risk impacts computed were all higher than limits. These high values may be attributed to the nature of the area geological formation, application of fertilizer to the farmlands and petroleum exploration and production activities. Cd stood out as the main culprit for potential ecological risks. The average contamination level, as indicated by Igeo values ranging from 0.28 to 0.79 mg/kg, raised concerns, especially at locality 1. Across the board, I-geo values remained generally low (< 2). Cd and Pb, with an I-geo value of about 1, significantly impacted sediment pollution. Average EF values were from 0.02 to 5.76 which revealed that human activities heavily influenced the sediment, marking them as significantly enriched with observed heavy metals. In particular, Cd played a major role in the sediment's enrichment, indicating a high level of environmental impact.

A localized based application for automobile mechanics location-aware system

2024-12-19T08:18:23+00:00

The mobile application for car mechanics detecting system is a mobile application that automates the different vehicle services required by a vehicle user. Car maintenance and mechanic detector system is a method taken to reduce stress in the society. It is a continuous process and activity in our communities, national and other countries, and this application will be of immense benefit to all vehicle/car owners or users in our communities and Delta States large. The proposed system consists of wireless sensor networks, GPS tracking devices, and cloud computing. In the course of this research work, the Rapid Application Development (RAD) software development methodology is applied. RAD is an approach for building computer systems that combines Computer Assisted Software Engineering (CASE) tools and with prototyping techniques to accelerate software system development providing it with reliable formula for top-notch quality and productivity. The proposed system is built on the operations of tracking or locating automobile mechanics electronically, there is central database system where automobile mechanics data can be properly recorded/registered, there is interactive application where automobile mechanics details can be uploaded because of the effective centralized database, very easy in searching for automobile mechanics information and location because of centralized database system and automobile mechanics can be contacted easily when needed because of the interactive mobile application for car mechanics detecting system. Based on the research nature, it was recommended amongst others that, a centralized database system for storing details of automobile mechanics were developed and functional.

Composition, abundance and distribution of non-cichlid fish community in Ogbo stream and its floodplain, Enhwe, Delta State, Nigeria

2024-12-19T08:28:34+00:00

A preliminary survey of the composition, abundance and distribution of non-cichlid fish community was carried out at Ogbo stream and its floodplain in Enhwe, Delta State Nigeria. Water samples and fishes were sampled and analyzed using APHA methods and standard fishing gear respectively. The physicochemical parameters revealed distinct values for station 1 (Temperature: 25.63°C, Transparency: 25.09 cm, Sulphate: 7.56 mg/L) and station 2 (Temperature: 23.60 °C, Transparency: 19.90 cm, Sulphate: 6.68 mg/L). Among the parameters, only Temperature, Transparency, and Sulphate exhibited a noteworthy difference (p<0.05) between the two stations. Transparency had a negative correlation with other parameters in Station 1. A total of 725 individual fish species belonging to eight families and genera were sampled. Among the notable findings, Clariidae emerged as the most abundant family, constituting 82.90% of the total relative abundance across both stations. Clarias camerunensis exhibited the highest abundance, comprising 62.20% of the total individuals sampled. Parachanna africana and Clarias pachynema also demonstrated significant presence, contributing 15.00% and 13.20% to the total relative abundance, respectively. ANOVA indicates a significant difference in the composition and abundance of fish species between the stream and floodplain (p < 0.05), emphasizing the influence of habitat-specific factors. The Margalef’s richness (1.67), dominance (0.64), diversity (1.32) and evenness (0.34) index of fishes was higher in the stream than in the floodplains. Magnesium, sulphate, temperature, and transparency were positively correlated to the distribution patterns of Pantodon bucholzi, Clarias jaensis, Phractolaemus ansorgei, and Heterotis niloticus in station 1, with the exception of P. africana and Polypterus senegalus. There was a negative association between dissolved oxygen, nitrate, pH, and Iron, and the distribution of fishes in station 2. Ogbo stream and its floodplain have low abundance and distribution of fish species. Therefore, it demands for sampling efforts and long-term studies to unravel the checklist of species.

Assessment of subsoil corrosivity using geoelectric layer parameters at Ilere community near Akure, southwestern Nigeria

2024-12-19T08:38:58+00:00

Fifty-nine (59) vertical electrical sounding (VES) data were acquired within Ilere community, near Akure southwestern Nigeria to characterize the area into different corrosivity zones at different depth surfaces. The acquired field data were interpreted using manual curve matching technique and the initial layer parameters (resistivity and thickness) were iterated to produce the final geoelectric parameters (resistivity and thickness). Since metallic utilities are installed at different depths depending on their purpose, the VES results were presented as table, topsoil and iso-resistivity depths slice maps (0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 3.0 m) in order to make the research work relevant for different uses. The 0.5 m depth slice isoresistivity map shows that about 75% of this depth surface are of higher resistivity (above 201 Ωm) suggesting negligible corrosivity. The 0.75 m depth slice isoresistivity map indicated that about 70% of this depth surface are of higher resistivity (above 201 Ωm) suggesting negligible corrosivity. Likewise, the 1.0 m depth slice isoresistivity map shows that about 60% of this depth surface are of higher resistivity (above 201 Ωm) suggesting negligible corrosivity. Finally, the 3.0 m depth slice isoresistivity map shows that about 35% of this depth surface are of higher resistivity (above 201 Ωm) suggesting negligible corrosivity. There is a reduction in the percentage of the portion delineated to be of negligible corrosivity in each depth slices of the study area as we move deeper into the subsurface.

Concentrations and associated risk of selected aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments from river Ethiope, southern Nigeria.

2024-12-19T08:47:03+00:00

The contamination of aquatic ecosystems by hydrocarbon compounds poses severe environmental and human health concerns. Hence this study aimed to investigate the concentrations and associated risk of selected aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the River Ethiope, an important water resource in Nigeria. A comprehensive sampling was conducted, collecting sediment samples at various locations (Umuaja, Obinoba, Abraka, Eku, Okpara, Aghalokpe, and Sapele) along the river. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) to quantify the concentrations of hydrocarbons, with a specific focus on aliphatic hydrocarbons. These compounds are known for their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. From the results obtained in this study, the total concentrations of Aliphatic compounds at various site from sites ranged from 10897 - 316783 µg/kg in (C8-C39), with Okpara containing the highest concentration and Eku with the lowest concentration. Hydrocarbon C₃₆ was not detected in Umuaja while hydrocarbon C₃₇ was not discovered in Aghalokpe, Okpara-Waterside and Sapele. Also, hydrocarbon C₁₀, C₁₁ and C₁₂ was not detected in Okpara-Waterside and Sapele. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in all hydrocarbons detected among the different sampling locations except in hydrocarbon C₃₄ which showed no significant different (p>0.05). The outcome of this study from carbon preference index (CPI) reveals that the major source of hydrocarbon contamination is associated with petroleum activities and have contributed valuable information for environmental monitoring programs, policymaking, and decision-making processes aimed at safeguarding water quality and mitigating the potential detrimental effects of hydrocarbon contamination in similar aquatic environments.