African Journals Online
Global Journal of Environmental Sciences

Volume 2 Number 1 2003
ABSTRACTS

Evaluation of Total Hydrocarbon (THC) levels in oil polluted coastal areas of South Eastern Nigeria

Matthew e. Eja, and Onah R. Ogri

Analysis of water, sediment and biota for total hydrocarbon (THC) levels five months after the Mobil oil spillage in the coastal areas of Cross River State, South Eastern Nigeria, was carried out. THC levels in water, sediment and biota samples were determined by colorimetric method after extraction with distilled n-hexane. Result showed elevated THC mean levels in water (149+81.11 mg/l), sediment (339.2 + 245.7 mg/kg) and biota (198.9 + 50.08 mg/kg), indicating a polluted environment. THC levels in water at all sampling locations were above 10mg/l being the maximum recommended limit of FEPA. In sediment and biota, THC values exceeding 100mg/kg and 25mg/kg, respectively, were observed, indicating that sediment and biota were highly impacted. THC levels in water correlated significantly (r = 0.632) with THC levels in the sediment (P = 0.05). Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) in 70% of the water samples were higher than unity. Although there was low BCF in about 70% of sediment samples, BCF in water significantly correlated (r = 0.689) with BCF in sediment (P = 0.05), indicating that the more the THC levels in the water column in relation to sediment, the more the biota were impacted.

Key Words: Oil spillage, Total hydrocarbon, Bioconcentration factor, Polluted environment, Coastal Areas.

Toxicological effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on some haematological and biochemical parameters in rat

*Bartimaeus E. S. and Agbor R. E.

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P. M. B. 5080, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 

Abstract

The toxicological effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on some haematological and biochemical parameters in albino rats was studied. High doses of garlic infusion were found to cause a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the concentration of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, lymphocyte count, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. The total white blood cell count and differential leucocyte counts (especially neutrophils and eosinophils) showed a significant increase (p< 0.05) consistent with high doses of garlic infusion. Red cell morphology was also appreciably affected.

Keywords:Haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), lymphocyte, aspartate aminotransferase      (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Concentrations Of Selected Mineral Elements In Commercial Infant Formulae Marketed In Abeokuta, Ogun State

*O. Bamgbose¹, T.A. Arowolo¹ and J.T. Bamgbose²

Department of Environmental Mgt. & Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Ogun State.

Department of Chemical Sciences University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Ogun State.

*Corresponding Author

Eight different brands of commercial infant formulae marketed in Abeokuta were analyzed for sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium using a flame photometer. The analytical method subjected to a quality assurance test showed that a 0.25g sample weight give comparable results with a 1.00g sample weight.

The results obtained for the mineral elements ranged from 2.6 to 4.5 mg/g for Na, 4.1 to 8.4 mg/g for K, 1.8 to 6.2 mg/g for Ca and 0.2 to 0.8 mg/g, for Mg. In general the results showed that the formulae are good sources of Na, K and Ca but poor sources of Mg as obtained from the results with a range of 0.24mglg – 0.79mg/g. A comparison of these results to that of the manufacturer’s levels showed statistical differences for the milk brands of Frisolac (for the metals Na, K, Ca and Mg.), Frisocrem ( for the metals, Na and Ca,) Cow and Gate ( for the metals Na, K, Ca ) and Similac ( for the metals Na, K, and Mg.) There were notable exceptions as for K and Ca in NAN and for K and Mg in SMA. A general trend of K > Ca > Na > Mg > was obtained for five of the brands.

I. O. Okunade,^A* I. M. Umar^a And B.W. Jimba^b

^aCentre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1014, Zaria, Nigeria

e-mail: [email protected]

fax: 234-69-550737

phone:234-69-550397

Abstract

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.

*L. O. Odokuma And A. A. Dickson 

Department of Microbiology University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Port Harcourt Nigeria 

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