African Journals Online
Global Journal of Environmental Sciences

Volume 1 No. 1, 2002
ABSTRACTS

CADMIUM, COPPER AND NICKEL LEVELS IN VEGETABLE FROM INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF LAGOS CITY, NIGERIA.

The levels of cadmium, copper and nickel in five different edible vegetables viz Talinum triangulare, Celosia trigyna, Corchorus olitorus, Venomia amygydalina and Telfaria accidentalis, and the soils on which they were grown from three industrial and three residential areas of Lagos City, in Nigeria, were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry . The results obtained for these heavy metals from the industrial areas were higher than those of the residential areas as a result of pollution. Industrial area results for vegetables ranged between 1.13 – 1.67_g/g for cadmium; 56.84 – 25.08_g/g for copper and 2.06 - 1.33_g/g for nickel.

There was statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the levels of copper and nickel in all the vegetables studied from industrial and residential areas, while there was no statistically significant difference for cadmium.

The results also show that Corchorus olitorus (Bush Okra) has ability to accumulate more copper and nickel than the other vegetable studied but has least ability for cadmium.

Keyword: Heavy metals, Vegetables, Industrial area, Pollution.

Lead, Copper and Zinc Levels in Soils along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Nigeria

A. O. OYEWALE¹ and I. I. FUNTUA²

¹Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

²Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

ABSTRACT

Soil samples collected along the left (l) and right (r) sides of a heavy traffic Kaduna-Zaria highway were analysed for lead, copper and zinc using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Levels of lead, copper and zinc from sampled soils were found to be higher than the control samples collected 2 meters away from the highway. The mean concentration ranges of Pb (l), Pb (r), Cu (l), Cu (r), Zn (l) and Zn (r) in the samples are 23-121, 21-99, 40-156, 39-262, 30-118 and 30-162 ppm respectively. Statistical analysis showed positive correlation between the el ements analysed, however correlation is only partially significant between lead and zinc. Lead and zinc levels may be attributed to pollution emanating from automobile emission and contamination while copper level could be due to pollution from fungicides and insecticides.

KEYWORDS: Copper, lead, zinc, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry, soil pollution.

DOMESTIC WASTE LEVELS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN YENAGOA METROPOLIS

P.A. BARIWEN, Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology, River State University of Science and Technology, P.H.

W. L. IZONFUO, Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

E. N. AMADI, Department of Biological Sciences, River State University of science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The quantities and types of domestic solid wastes were determined for the purposes of planning and effective management of wastes in the Yenagoa metropolis. The current status of waste management in the metropolis was also assessed to identify the problems and prospects for effective waste management. The study shows that with a per capita daily waste production of 0. 189±0.039 kg, an average of about 28, 350 kg of waste are produced daily in Yenagoa metropolis. About 83% of the wastes produced were food wastes made up mainly of yam and plantain peelings. As regards current status of waste management, the study observed that, there was no equipment available for the management of domestic solid waste and no final dumping site for sanitary disposal of wastes was available. The major problems militating against the effective management of wastes were the lack of awareness on the part of the citizenry of the importance of proper waste disposal; the non-availability of collection points and the lack of political will of the relevant authority to meet the demands of proper waste management.

Keywords: Domestic waste levels, management, Yenagoa

OIL POLLUTION IN THE RIVERINE AREAS- A CASE STUDY OF AKWA-IBOM STATE

R. A. M. Eze

Dept. of civil Engineering, University of Portharcourt, Choba, Rivers State

ABSTRACT

A study of the oil production activities in the riverine area of Akwa-lbom State was carried out by the author. In this regard, visits to different oil locations were made to obtain information on the consequences of oil production activities. Through these visits, the ecological situation of the environment was assessed, useful information was also obtained by interacting with the community members in those areas of operation before this article was put together.

It was therefore discovered that oil production has in no small measure improved the economic growth of the state in question. Roads and community town halls were built by some oil company operators. Also, pipe borne water, electricity and employment were also provided, in addition to some sporadic scholarship awards to the indigenes of the areas. Nonetheless, its effects on the environment has been disastrous, because, many villages have lost their agricultural lands due to underground high pressure pipe lines that traverse the whole operation areas. Fishermen are also not left out as fishes have been driven out of reach due to production activities and occasional oil spillage. Eventhough, the oil production activities have negative impact on the state in question, it has undoubtedly improved the general standard of living of the people

Keywords: Oil, Pollution, Akwa-lbom, Environment, Spillage

ASSESSMENT OF GULLY EROSION FROM COASTAL PLAIN SANDS OF OGBURU, ILARO, OGUN STATE.

O. S. AWOKOLA

Department of Water Resources Management and Agriculturral Meterology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

ABSTRACT

The field measurements were used to calculate the discharge using hydraulic equations. The calculated discharges with limited hydraulic and hydrologic data were then used to establish an erosion rate equation i.e. E = 0.025 (1.022Q) 15/8L3/8 So3/2 (Kg/m2/hr) which was used to estimate erosion rate. Three established functional relationships were found to be highly correlated, these are; discharge as a function of erosion rate Q = f(E); shear stress as a function of discharge _ = f(Q) and shear stress as a function of erosion rate _ = f( E). The simple linear regression model results are Q = 28.63 + 17. 38E. _ = 19.47 + 3.19Q and _ = 120.24 + 22.45E with correlation coefficients, r = 0.86, 0.89 and 0.93 and coefficient of determination, r² = 74%, 79% and 86% respectfully, the very high coefficient of correlation (r) and determination (r²) is enough justification to conclude that the derived equations can be used to estimate the magnitude of erosion rate or extent and its future severity can be predicted from hydraulic parameters measured on site. The established relationships from limited hydraulic parameters can be used to assess the gully erosion from the site.

Keywords: Erosion Rate E (Kg/m²/hr), Shear stress _(N/m²), Mannings Roughness Coefficient (n).

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LANDUSE PATTERNSON GROUNDWATER QUALITY

O. S. OLADEJI

Department of Civil Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This work evaluated the variational impacts of landuse patterns on groundwater quality in Ogbomosho and its environs. Two representative samples each, were obtained from locations closest to areas, where hospitals, car wash, mechanic workshop, market, Motor Park, burial ground, farming, refuse dump site, soak away, petrol station, cottage industries (block making and saw-mill), and residential areas were observed. Samples were subsequently subjected to standard analytical procedures.

The ranges of results for the physico-chemical and biological parameters analyzed include pH (5.0-8.6), TDS (149.38 - 833.03 mg/1), Ca hardness (26.0 - 194.0mg/1), Mg hardness (10.0-181.0 mg/1,Ca²⁺ (7.8-18.6 mg/1, and Mg²⁺ (2.24-45.0 mg/1. Others include HCO₃ (40.0-160.0 mg/1, SO₄^2- (0.1-99.0 mg/1), Total Fe (0.1-5.4 mg/1, Mn²⁺ (0.01-0.12 mg/1), CI^- (3.43-686 mg/1) and total coliform (0-1100 MPN/100m1). The analytical results how that major ionic concentration fall below the highest desirable limits of global drinking water standards. However, low average pH valves were observed in samples obtained from refuse dump sites (5.1), soak-away (5.7) and petrol stations (6.0), while high average total iron concentrations (measured in mg/g were observed in samples obtained form petrol stations (1..1) burial grounds (2.1), soak away (1.1), and refuse dump sites (1.9). Samples from mechanic workshops indicate high average value of chloride content of 655.5 mg/1. Anomalously high average value of total coliform numbers (measured in MPN/10ml) observed in sample obtained from farming area (232), soak way area (142), motor parks (555) and market places (22), indicate wide spread contamination.

Generally, activities which include, farming, hospital cottage industries, residential and market places have minimal effects on groundwater resources. However, activities such as petrol stations, burial ground, car wash, mechanic workshop, soak-away, refuse dump sites and motor parks show grievous impacts on the quality of groundwater and therefore need to be zoned out of the area that have been demarcated for future groundwater resources development.

Key Words: Groundwater, Landuse, Environment, Activity, Representative

EFFECT OF SOLID WASTE LANDFILL ON UNDERGROUND AND SURFACE WATER QUALITY AT RING ROAD, IBADAN, NIGERIA.

O. O. ODUKOYA, T. A. AROWOLO and O. BAMGBOSE.

Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Department of Environmental Management & Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Department of Environmental Management & Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

ABSTRACT

The effect of the municipal solid waste landfill a Ring Road Ibadan on the quality of the underground water in the surrounding area and adjacent surface water was investigated. Samples of water from these sources were analyzed for the following physico-chemical parameters: Ph , conductivity, total solid, dissolved solid, suspended solid, total hardness, chloride, phosphate, sulphate phenol and the metals, Na, K, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Al.

Results showed the landfill to be a source of inorganic and organic pollution since most of these parameters showed increased concentrations over those from control sites. Comparison with WHO guidelines (1991) indicate that most of the water samples are not suitable for human consumption.

Keywords: Landfill, groundwater, surface-water, pollution.

A SURVEY OF THE MERCURY LEVELS IN THE FISH OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF NIGERIA.

Samuel .E. Kakulu

Department of Chemistry, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

The mercury content of the freshwater fish of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria was determined. The mean Hg content in the fish was 215 + 57 (80 – 350) ng g^-1 wet weight. Generally the levels of mercury in the samples were low with over 78% of the samples recording a total Hg level of less than 200 ng g^-1 wet weight in the muscle tissue. These levels were lower than levels found in canned fish (titus sardines) imported into the country. The results showed that the area is not contaminated with Hg and that residents would not exceed the tolerable weekly 350 ngg^-1Hg by eating the fish.

KEY WORDS: Mercury, environmental samples, baseline, Abuja.

Quantal response of Lumbricus terrestis from two oil spillage – prone sites to toxicity of Bonny Light crude oil.

By

L.C. Osuji¹ , S.O. Adesiyan² and M. O. Wegwu³

¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt P.M.B 5323 Choba, Port Harcourt.

²Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan.

³ Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

Test fauna, Lumbricus terrestis, were obtained from two oil spillage-prone sites in Rivers State, Nigeria and were treated with varying concentrations of Bonny Light crude oil with known physico-chemical properties to determine the “all or none” response of the Lumbricus terrestis to lethal doses of the test compound.

Data based on quantal response (mortality) were subjected to probit analysis using the Standard Probability Scale of three-cycle logarithm (AP-0573-GT). Toxicity Index, LC₅₀ (median lethal concentration) of 74.14ml/L and 17.82ml/L of Bonny Light were obtained after 48 and 96 hours respectively for animals from Ogbodo-Isiokpo while 70.79ml/L and 16.98ml/L of Bonny Light were obtained after 48 and 96 hours respectively for animals from Eneka. These results imply that such concentrations of Bonny Light crude oil would be lethal to 50% of the population density of Lumbricus terrestis within the fixed periods of 48 and 96 hours respectively. One of its major highlights is the decrease in the values of LC₅₀ with time of exposure (24 hours – 96 hours). Expectedly, higher exposure periods to the crude oil might have induced more toxicity. LC₅₀ after 24 hours was not possibly determined because no mortality was recorded for animals exposed to the test compound within the fixed period of 24 hours.

Key words: crude oil, test fauna, toxicity index, quantal response, oil spillage –prone sites.