Health and Environment

Determination of some heavy metals and physicochemical properties in contaminated soils of open waste dumpsite in Awka, Anambra State

Ogochukwu J. Okakpu, Patrice A. C. Okoye, Theresa U. Onuegbu — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:13:31 +0800

The current study was designed for the assessment of cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, zinc and manganese and some physicochemical properties of soils collected from an open dumpsite in Awka, Nigeria. Soil samples at the depth (0-20 cm) were randomly collected at the dump field and were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals using standard analytical methods. The results show that the main dumpsite had a high sand content (91.48% ± 0.26%) with a low silt 4.07% ± 0.03% and clay 4.65% ± 0.00%. The pH of the dumpsite soils was 6.07 ± 0.04 which is an acidic pH. Organic matter (%) and organic carbon (%) were 3.84 ± 0.06 and 2.23 ± 0.04 respectively. The EC (µS cm^-1) was 476.9 ± 0.00 while the ECEC (cmol/kg) 18.93 ± 0.04. The bulk density (g cm^-3) was 1.32 ± 0.00 and the porosity (%) of the dump soil was 41.40 ± 0.00. Total metal concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn and Mn were also analyzed and the concentrations of the heavy metals at dumpsitewas obtained (28.35 ± 0.21 to 149.10 ± 0.01 mg/kg). Metal contamination at dumpsite was in the order of Mn ˃ Zn ˃ Pb ˃ Cd ˃ Cr ˃ Ni. The study evidently indicates the presence of heavy metal contamination in the dumpsite even though some of them fell below the critical permissible concentration level. However, it is their accumulation and persistence in the soils of the dump site that may be a cause of concern for their surrounding environment and organisms.

Modeling and simulation of absorption solar air conditioning to reduce energy consumption: A case of some cities in tropical region

Modeste Kameni Nematchoua, Rakotondrazano Yvon, Raminosoa Chrysostome — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:19:51 +0800

Buildings are one of the most important infrastructure sectors in today’s society. However, in Madagascar, most hotels, malls, hospitals use fossil fuels to meet energy needs, especially in the traditional air conditioning system. they consume a considerable amount of energy that has negative effects on the environment. The emergence of solar cooling systems is a very interesting solution to this problem because the use of renewable energies in this sector contributes to a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. Madagascar is one of the countries with high renewable energy potential, notably solar energy estimated at 2000kWh/m².an.At present, the rate of exploitation of this potential for the operation of the solar absorption cooling system coupled with the building is still non-existent. This energy is clean, sustainable, profitable and environmentally friendly. This is the main objective of this work which uses this energy source to ensure thermal comfort in a building in Madagascar and contributes to the development of this system. The TRNSYS software helped us to model and simulate this system. To do this, first we will select 4 big cities of the big island, a building of total surface 80 m² was used. Then, the hourly thermal loads of this building for the whole year were simulated using the TRNbuild sub-program using meteorological data for a typical year of the selected cities. The dimensions of the components of the solar absorption air conditioning system were obtained using the maximum loads of the building. The results of the simulations show, the system meets the cooling load needs of the building with the climatic conditions of each selected city.

Evaluation of selected physicochemical properties of River Otamiri, Imo State

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:19:47 +0800

Surface water monitoring is essential, especially when the water is normally used for industrial, agricultural, and domestic purposes. The study determined the physicochemical properties of the River Otamiri using the American Public Health Association standard methods for water analysis. In this study, river water samples were collected five times during the dry season from four sampling points (WSP-1, WSP-2, WSP-3 and WSP-4) along the watercourse of the river in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. The levels of the selected physicochemical parameters were compared with the National Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) guidelines. The findings showed that the pH (4.99±0.11 – 6.30±0.08), dissolved oxygen (4.16±0.01 – 6.45±0.03), total hardness (17.10±1.78 – 27.80±2.54), chloride (68.30±0.58 – 91.90±0.64), and sulphate (39.55±3.32 – 51.21±2.11) were below the acceptable limit of the National Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). However, electrical conductivity (1116±29.75 – 1419±28.54), turbidity (18.90±2.81 – 31.70±8.13) and nitrate (45.50±3.06 – 69.90±2.11, except in water sample point-4) were above the recommended limit according to the NSDWQ guideline, while temperature levels (26.90±0.04 – 28.40±0.02) were within the acceptable limit. The study concludes that the River Otamiri is contaminated. It is therefore advisable to purify water from the river before use for domestic and industrial purposes.

A qualitative study on the morbidity experiences of under-five children in oil spill communities

Pearl Abereton, Best Ordinioha, Jacob Mensah-Attipoe, Oluyemi Toyinbo — Tue, 02 May 2023 15:01:01 +0800

Introduction: Under-five years old (U5) children that reside in oil spill communities are exposed to various pollutants, and therefore are prone to respiratory symptoms and diseases. This study aimed to develop a deeper understanding on the lived experiences of U5 children residing in these communities.
Methods: The study was done in August, 2022 , on eleven caregivers/parents of U5 children, aged 26-45 years old via purposive sampling. This study utilized a phenomenological research design through in-depth interviews and audio recordings.
Results: Findings revealed that numerous oil spills have occurred, and are still occurring. According to the respondents, these spills are caused majorly by poor maintenance of old, rusted pipelines of oil companies; and pipeline vandalism, leading to land, water and air pollution. Results also showed that these spills have led to several adverse respiratory health (RH) experiences in U5, including cough, catarrh, chest pain and other health emergencies that have resulted in frequent hospital visitations and admissions like difficulty/fast breathing, pneumonia, hemoptysis, exacerbation of previously existing conditions, asthma development, etc. The destruction of their source of livelihood, have contributed to worsening these symptoms.
Conclusion: U5 children living in crude oil polluted areas are burdened with a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases. Implementation of already existing regulatory laws on oil pollution, prompt clean-up of oil spills, provision of standard health facilities, and trained health personnels, were some of the measures recommended to curb the menace of crude oil spills and its RH effects.

Potentially toxic element contamination and risk assessment of borehole water within a landfill in the Nnewi metropolis

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:56:34 +0800

Borehole water has been used as a vital source of water for many communities. The pollution of these boreholes by potentially toxic elements using unlined solid waste dumpsites has posed a significant risk to the populace living around the dumpsite. This study investigates the environmental impact of potentially toxic elements on borehole water within the vicinity of an unlined dumpsite in the Nnewi metropolis. The upstream and downstream samples (16 each) were collected in wet and dry seasons. The potentially toxic elements analysis wasperformed using the methods of the American Public Health Association (APHA) under the required conditions. The quality of the boreholes was assessed using the World Health Organisation (WHO) acceptable limits for drinking water. The risk assessment was estimated for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks using ingestion and dermal routes. The results show that the borehole water wascontaminated with potentially toxic elements through leachate infiltration, which exceeded the WHO permissible limits for drinking water at both locations and seasons. The upstream borehole samples were more contaminated than the downstream samples for both seasons, due to their proximity to the pollution source. The hazard indices of the ingestion and dermal routes showed that the borehole water poses serious cancer and non-cancer health risks for both locations. The results revealed that children are more susceptible to cancer and non-carcinogenic health threats than adults for both locations and seasons. The pollution indices of borehole water for wet season (9.028 and 5.728) and dry season (7.107 and 5.328) for upstream and downstream samples respectively, were polluted and the pollution was higher in the wet season. The borehole water samples were unsuitable for drinking water and should be treated before use.

Pollution indices of heavy metal contaminants in typical agrarian soil samples in Ihiala, South-East Nigeria

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 09:37:35 +0800

The contamination of soil with toxic metals poses serious threats to the survival of living organisms including humans. We determined the contamination levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in soil samples from a typical agrarian soil in Nigeria, using various single and complex geochemical indices along with principal component analysis (PCA) for source determination. Ten soil samples (S1-S10) were collected from depths of 20 cm, with a clean shovel and brush from farmlands in Ihiala, South-East Nigeria. Three single pollution indices: geoaccumulation index (I_geo), pollution index (PI) and ecological risk index (E_r), as well as four complex indices: pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow pollution index (PI_Nemerow), average single pollution index (PI_ave) and Potential ecological risk (RI) were used for the geochemical analysis. The mean soil levels of Cd (1.94ppm) and Pb (60.83ppm) exceeded their corresponding world averages. The results of the single pollution indices of the soil samples revealed heavy Cd, moderate Pb and low Ni, Cr and Cu contaminations, while the PI_avg, PI_Nemerow and RI graded the soil samples as moderately to seriously polluted. The correlation analysis revealed that the general contamination was mostly contributed by Cd and partly by Cr. The findings showed that Cd and Pb were the main heavy metal soil contaminants in the area. The levels of toxic metals found in the soils could pose health and ecological risks. The probable sources of these metals include pesticides use and poor waste disposal systems.

Assessment of vanadium pollution and ecological risk in some selected waste dumpsites in Southeastern Nigeria

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 15:39:13 +0800

Waste disposal on dumpsites has resulted in significant vanadium pollution of the soil and ecosystem. This study assessed the pollution status and potential ecological risk of vanadium in some selected waste dumpsites in southeastern Nigeria. In this study, the soil samples were taken from the active waste dumpsites using a stainless-steel soil auger at a depth of 0 - 20 cm. Five sub-samples were taken from each sample location. A control sample was taken from an area devoid of industrial activities and waste dumps. Soil samples were air-dried at room temperature, pulverized with an agate mortar and pestle, and stored using appropriately labeled polythene bags prior to analysis. Vanadium analysis was conducted using an FS240AA atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and the data generated was analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 and Ms-Excel 2007. The mean vanadium concentrations in the studied waste dumpsites were found to be in the following order: Okpuno-Egbu dumpsite > Nekede dumpsite > Enyimba dumpsite > Rice-mill dumpsite. Acceptable potential ecological risk indices were observed in the Rice-mill, Enyimba, and Okpuno-Egbu dumpsites, while Nekede dumpsite recorded a high potential ecological risk. Furthermore, the pollution load index revealed that all the studied dumpsites were heavily polluted. Statistical analysis revealed no significant variations in vanadium concentrations in the studied dumpsites (p>0.05). Additionally, there was a strong and positive correlation between the dumpsites of Enyimba/Nnewi (r = 0.634), Nekede/Nnewi (r = 0.615), and Nekede/Rice-mill (r = 0.842). This indicated that the metal found in the dumpsites is of the same origin.

Determination of the levels of heavy metals and physicochemical properties of borehole water within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

David Okechukwu Okeke, Jonathan Chinenye Ifemeje, Victor Chukwuemeka Eze — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 12:04:26 +0800

The level of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn) and physicochemical parameters in borehole water sources within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using FS240AA Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) according to the method of American Public Health Association (APHA). Water samples were collected from Enyigba mining site, Ikwo mining site, Ameri Amekamining site, Izza mining site, Mkpume Akwatakwa mining site and Mpume Akwaokuku mining sites. Composite water samples were collected within the mining locales and 500 metres away from the mining locations using two liters plastic jars. Similarly, the control samples were taken from Abakaliki (about 15 km away from mining area) where there was no evidence of mining activity. A total of 14 sub-samples were collected for this study. Generally, the levels of heavy metals in the borehole water samples were higher than the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This however suggests a possible mobility of the metals from mining sites into the groundwater sources through leaching. The findings from this study have revealed the need to purify borehole water within mining areas prior to industrial and domestic use.

Heavy metal analysis and health risk assessment of the surface irrigation water and sediment of Nimo vegetable growing site, Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

Ngozi Maryrose Nnaji, Rosemary Uche Arinze — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0800

Heavy metals pollution has been a great concern generally due to their toxicity and persistence in environment. This study evaluated the level of pollution and health risks of heavy metals in surface irrigation water used for vegetable cultivation and sediment from Nimo vegetable farm. Three samples each from three different sampling points for water and sediment were collected in dry and rainy seasons and analyzed for Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result showed that heavy metal concentrations in the irrigation water ranged from 0.004 to 0.147 mg/l, 0.119 to 0.773 mg/l, 0.014 to 1.644 mg/l, 0.006 to 0.056 mg/l, 0.009 to 0.576 mg/l, 0.040 to 0.181 mg/l, 0.082 to 0.147 mg/l, for Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Ni respectively for the different seasons. In sediment, Cu had the lowest mean concentrations of 0.02±0.01 mg/l while iron had the highest mean concentrations of 6.86±3.06 mg/l. The obtained results were compared with Food and Agriculture Organization and the Department of Petroleum Resources standards for surface irrigation water and sediment respectively. The heavy metal distribution in water was Fe > Pb > Mn > Cd > Ni > Cu = Zn in dry and Zn > Fe > Pb > Ni > Mn > Cu > Cd rainy seasons respectively. Overall, the heavy metals level in the water and sediment were low when compared to the standards. Computed contamination factors and pollution load index showed that the sediment were not polluted while in water, only Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe (in rainy season) showed low contamination, while Ni, Pb and Cd had moderate to very high contamination in both seasons. Hazard Index values for the heavy metals in adults and children via the water and sediment of this study is less than one (HI < 1). Hence the water and sediment from this site poses no health risk to the public. Correlation analysis for metals in water and sediment showed significant and positive relationships amongst the metals which indicated that the most of the metals originate from the same source while few originate from mixed sources mainly from agricultural activities, atmospheric deposition and runoff into the irrigation water.

Managing urban wastewater to fight the pandemic of COVID-19 effectively

Abdol Aziz Shahraki — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 15:45:05 +0800

The paper reveals the role of wastewaters in the spread of Coronavirus in cities and focuses on the need for collection, treatment, and management of wastewaters. While the focus of the fight against COVID-19 is on the production of vaccines, drugs and treatments, this article emphasizes the cleanliness of the environment with wastewater management. This paper is a novel work, since it presents a multi-side research concerning fighting against coronavirus through wastewater collection and treatment. Studies show that coronavirus exists in urban wastewaters and spread the COVID-19 everywhere. Coronavirus is attacking people globally and shrinking the economy. The question addressed by this paper is; will communities overcome the coronavirus without well-collected and treated wastewaters? The methods to achieve the goals are theoretical surveys, case study strategy, mathematical modeling, statistical procedures, forecasting the future, and discussions. A mathematical model will be built to calculate the number of deaths caused by the coronavirus with the help of registered statistics and predict the future trend of the disease pandemic in Iran. Since Coronavirus has been seen in wastewaters, results of this research demonstrate the need for carefully collected and treated wastewaters to overcome the coronavirus. This paper gives suitable techniques to treat wastewater as stabilization ponds, bacterial reactors, and anaerobic ponds. Concluding, this paper suggests indicators to select a wastewater treatment technique in every city, and its outcome will assist the global community in fighting the coronavirus more successfully.