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Effect of Microbes, Npk Fertilizer and Cow Dung on the Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Abattoir Wastes in Nigeria
D. N. Ogbonna,
T. J. K. Ideriah,
M. I. Nwachukwu
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2013
Pages:
1-14
Published:
20 February 2013
Abstract: The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by associated microorganisms were studied. Soil and waste water samples were collected from four abattoirs located at Egbu and Ogbe in Imo state, Trans-Amadi and Ahoada in Rivers State. Likewise, surface water and sediment samples from Otamiri River and Oginigba Creek adjoined to Egbu and Trans-Amadi abattoirs, respectively were collected using standard methods. The ability of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi to biodegrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was carried out by growing the isolates in a mineral salt broth amended with PAHs and nutrients (NPK fertilizer and cow dung). Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) left after incubation were determined using Gas chromatographic method. Results showed that soil samples from various abattoirs had high concentrations of PAHs ranging from 0.176 mg/kg at Ahoada abattoir to 2.44 mg/kg at Egbu abattoir. In a 21-day biodegradation test, there was a drop in the initial concentration of PAHs used as control from 0.03 mg/l to 0.024 mg/l. There was loss of low molecular weight PAHs than the high molecular weight components. It is evident from the study that both mixed cultures of bacteria and fungi can biodegrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Results from this study have shown that abattoir wastes have high pollution strength and thus should be treated before being discharged into the environment. Of note is the fact that the microorganisms isolated from the abattoirs are potential agents of remedying environments impacted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Abstract: The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by associated microorganisms were studied. Soil and waste water samples were collected from four abattoirs located at Egbu and Ogbe in Imo state, Trans-Amadi and Ahoada in Rivers State. Likewise, surface water and sediment samples from Otamiri River and Oginigba Creek adjoined to Egbu and Trans...
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Development and Calibration of A Particulate Matter Measurement Device with Wireless Sensor Network Function
Duckshin Park,
Duckshin Park,
Soon-Bark Kwon,
Soon-Bark Kwon,
Youngmin Cho,
Youngmin Cho
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2013
Pages:
15-20
Published:
20 February 2013
Abstract: A Zigbee-based ubiquitous sensor network (USN) has many industrial applications and provides flexible measuring environments. In particular, the USN system can replace existing measuring devices in harsh environments such as subway stations. To monitor the intensities of various pollutants and air qualities in subway tunnels, this study applied the USN technique. A novel wireless sensor module, PMX, was designed and manufactured to simultaneously detect PM10 and PM2.5. Measurements were conducted at a subway station in Seoul. The PM concentrations using PMX were measured, analyzed, and compared with those obtained using an established commercial dust spectrometer (Grimm Aerosol Technik, 1.109). The measurements were performed from 24 March 2010 to 9 April 2010. PMX and the dust spectrometer measured PM10 levels of 98.3 and 40.7 ㎍/㎥, respectively, and PM2.5 concentrations of 86.5 and 16.6 ㎍/㎥, respectively. The monitored PM levels were investigated in a bimodal form during the sampling period. The PM10 and PM2.5 average correlations between PMX and the dust spectrometer were r2=0.81 and r2= 0.97, respectively. The two systems showed a similar time series trend, even though the measured values differed. A simple correlation analysis of the two data groups showed coefficients of determination of 0.7 for PM10 and 0.9 for PM2.5. The PMX data were mostly concentrated around the trend curve. Therefore, calibration of PMX data was required prior to use in the field. For the calibration, simple linear regression and nonlinear regression were used. The resulting correlation coefficients of simple linear regressions were 0.8 for PM10 and 0.9 for PM2.5, whereas those for nonlinear regressions were 0.7 for PM10 and 0.9 for PM2.5. The higher correlation coefficient for PM10 by the nonlinear regression indicates that it is the better method for calibrating the system developed in this study
Abstract: A Zigbee-based ubiquitous sensor network (USN) has many industrial applications and provides flexible measuring environments. In particular, the USN system can replace existing measuring devices in harsh environments such as subway stations. To monitor the intensities of various pollutants and air qualities in subway tunnels, this study applied the...
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A New Generation Air Pollution Alert System: Integrating Air Quality Models and Location-Aware Mobile Devices
Nuri Yilmazer,
Kuo-Jen Liao,
Young Lee,
Juan Mora,
William Webb,
Remzi Seker
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2013
Pages:
21-26
Published:
20 February 2013
Abstract: This paper introduces a new real-time air pollution alert system using mobile devices. Through the location awareness capability of mobile devices, Android- and iOS-based apps are developed to inform the public residing in the vicinity of air pollution areas. The apps have shown to be working successfully sending push notifications as well as a regional map to convey the air pollution information to users. The apps and real-time air pollution alert system can also be extended for other natural environmental disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires and man-made disasters such as chemical spills.
Abstract: This paper introduces a new real-time air pollution alert system using mobile devices. Through the location awareness capability of mobile devices, Android- and iOS-based apps are developed to inform the public residing in the vicinity of air pollution areas. The apps have shown to be working successfully sending push notifications as well as a reg...
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Determination of Heavy Metal Concentration in Fish Samples, Sediment and Water from Odo-Ayo River in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State, Nigeria
J. B. Edward,
E. O. Idowu,
J. A. Oso,
O. R. Ibidapo
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2013
Pages:
27-33
Published:
20 February 2013
Abstract: This research work was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals namely, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd in three matrices including sediment, water and Fish organs (gills, flesh, kidney and liver). The fish sample, Clarias gariepinus was collected from Odo-Ayo River in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The results obtained showed that the concentration of heavy metal in water (Zn-4.65, Mn-0.79, Cu-0.84, Fe-5.87, Pb-0.16, Cd-0.13) was lower than that of the concentration of heavy metal in sediment (Zn-5.04, Mn-0.98, Cu-1.37, Fe-6.94, Pb-0.30, Cd-0.20), While the concentration of heavy metals in water was higher than that of fish parts (Zn-0.95, Mn-0.82, Cu-0.66, Fe-1.09, Pb-0.09, Cd-0.04). This confirms that sediments are repository of metals in water. The concentration of heavy metals recorded in the fish parts also indicated a certain degree of bio-accumulation. The concentration of all metals in water were below the WHO and FEPA recommended limits and suggested that the water of Odo-Ayo River was suitable for drinking, but the bio-concentration factor of heavy metals in gills, kidney and liver of the fish are high beyond the tolerable level, which indicated that as far as these metals are concerned, the fish is unfit for human consumption. Consequently, close monitoring of metals pollution and the consumption of the fishes of Odo-Ayo River is recommended with a view to minimizing the risk of health of the population that depend on the river for their water and fish supply.
Abstract: This research work was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals namely, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd in three matrices including sediment, water and Fish organs (gills, flesh, kidney and liver). The fish sample, Clarias gariepinus was collected from Odo-Ayo River in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The results obtained showed that the con...
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Ascertaining the Acid Mine Drainage Potential of a Mineral Concession in South-Western Ghana
G. Ofori-Sarpong,
K. Osei,
R. K. Amankwah
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2013
Pages:
34-39
Abstract: Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) poses a myriad of problems in communities where mining of sulphide-containing ores takes place. Thus current environmental practice requires that samples be tested for their AMD potential before mining commences. In connection with this, samples from a gold concession in south-western Ghana have been investigated for AMD generation potential using Acid-Base Accounting (ABA) techniques. Mineralogical studies indicated that the ore zones were conglomerate whereas the country rock was quartzite. There were also intrusives of mafic dykes (doleritic). Quartz was the main mineral with composition above 75%, and minor minerals included feldspars, sericite, chlorite, mica and pyrite. Geochemical analysis and ABA showed that 57% of the samples did not contain sulphide minerals, 38% had sulphur content of 0.01%, and 4% had between 0.02 - 0.03% sulphur. The paste pH of 228 samples out of 230 (99.1%) was above 6.0 with an average of 7.5, implying that these are not likely to generate AMD. The Net Neutralising Potential (NNP) values of 3% of the samples were negative and the ratios of Maximum Neutralisation Potential to Acid Production Potential (NP:AP) were less than 1 confirming the possibility of AMD generation. A proactive strategy was developed to contain the possible environ-mental hazards of this 3%.
Abstract: Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) poses a myriad of problems in communities where mining of sulphide-containing ores takes place. Thus current environmental practice requires that samples be tested for their AMD potential before mining commences. In connection with this, samples from a gold concession in south-western Ghana have been investigated for AMD ge...
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