Browsing by Author "Ezeji, E. U."
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Item Open Access Analysis of heavy metals concentration in prawn (Macrobrachium Sp) harveted from Gberikoko River, in Sapele Delta State, Nigeria(U. P., 2015-08) Obasi, kalu O.; Enemchukwu, S.; Okereke, J. N.; Ezeji, E. U.; Oparaigbo, M. I.The concentrations of selected heavy metals: cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury in prawn (Macrobrachium sp) were analyzed. The morphometric records of the prawn samples were taken. The specimens were subsequently weighed and individually pulverised to a uniform particle size. Ten(10)grams of each pulverised sample were put in a 200ml digestion conical flask, 30ml of aqua regia, which constitutes of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and hydroflouric acid in the ratio 1:3:1 was added and placed uprightly for 10-15 minutes. The mixture was heated in a water bath until the whole sample dissolved and a yellow tint of the solution appeared. The solution was filtered using a filter paper into centrifuge tubes and made up to 50ml mark with deionized water. It was transferred into sample vials for analysis. The heavy metal analysis was done according to the standard methods for heavy metal determination using the FS 240 Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Lead had the highest concentration in sample F and the lowest in sample H, with concentrations of 1.75ppm and 1.54ppm respectively. Also, the prawn samples exhibited the highest record of Mercury and lowest mean value of Arsenic with values of 6.9±3.95and0.00±0.00 respectively. For Mercury, the highest concentrations occurred in sample G and lowest in F, with concentrations of 12.6ppm and 4.1ppm respectively. Arsenic showed its highest concentration in sample F and lowest in sample H with concentrations of 0.65ppm and 0.64ppm, respectively, whereas Cadmium wasn’t detected in any of the samples. From the analysis of data, since F > Fcrit and p < 0.05, there is a significant difference in the mean concentrations of the prawn samples from Gberikoko river in Sapele, Delta State Nigeria.Item Open Access Concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury in the soft tissue of periwinkle (Tympanotonus Fuscata Var. Radula) in Eagle Island River, Rivers State, Nigeria(Centre of Professional Research, 2015-10) Obasi, K. O.; Chinedu, K.; Okereke, J. N.; Udebuani, A. C.; Ezeji, E. U.; Anyadoh, S. N.The concentrations of some heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic) in the soft tissues of periwinkle Tympanotonos fuscatus var. radula obtained from Eagle Island River in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria were studied. It was an analytical study in which an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (series 240 varian) was used to establish the concentrations of the metals. The mean concentration of metals recorded were Hg (2.10ppm), Cd (0.067ppm), Pb (2.00ppm) and As (1.26ppm). There was no significant relationship (at α0.05) between the concentrations of the heavy metals in the sampled organisms. Considering the neurotoxic effects of some heavy metals, it becomes imperative to regularly monitor heavy metal concentrations in sea foods in order to ensure the safety of such food for public consumptionItem Open Access Effects of anthropogenic activities on soil carbon storage and compactness in coastal plain soil of tropical urban area(U. P., 2015-11) Udebuani, A. C.; Obasi, K. O.; Ezeji, E. U.; Okereke, J. N.; Anyado, S. O.; Dike-Ndudim, J. N.; Enekwu, E. C.The study on the impact of anthropogenic activities of a tropical urban soil; effects of different land use on bulk density, relative bulk density and their capacity to store carbon were investigated using several key soil physical and chemical properties such as ammonium acetate methods used for determination of cation exchange capacity. Results obtained showed the soil textural class to be sandy in all the land used area. Moisture content and porosity were highest in the automobile servicing area. Bulk density (1.50g/cm3) and relative bulk density (0.82g/cm3) were highest in soil samples from commercial area. Automobile servicing area had the lowest soil pH (5.1), compared to other land use areas, which had it pH ranging from 6.2 – 7.5. The highest value of exchangeable base was obtained also from automobile servicing area compared to other anthropogenic active areas. There is a considerable variation in the total carbon storage from different land uses with the highest carbon storage obtained from automobile servicing area (570.5 g/cm3), this is followed by soil samples from commercial areas (370.0 g/cm3). The lowest value of carbon storage was obtained from institutional area. The major effect of anthropogenic activity is on soil organic matter (OM); therefore, the degree of compactness was as a result of the impact on organic matter. Result of this present investigation shows that anthropogenic activities in urban environment affect the compactness and carbon storage of soil.Item Open Access Geo-helminthes associated with geophagic pupils in selected primary schools in Oyi, Anambra State(Science Publishing Group, 2015) Okereke, J. N.; Obasi, K. O.; Nwadike, P. O.; Ezeji, E. U.; Udebuani, A. C.Identification of geo-helminthes associated with geophagy as well as risk factors predisposing to such infestations among primary school pupils were carried out. Ethical permissions were obtained from headteachers of schools and pupils to collect stool samples of 200 volunteer pupils, aged 5-13years (106 males and 94 females) from rural and urban primary schools in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Stool samples were examined microscopically using wet mount (normal saline and iodine) technique. Data collected via questionnaires were analyzed to assess the relationship between geophagia, regular ingestion of soil and soil-transmitted parasites. Three intestinal parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides (A.lumbricoides), Ancylostoma duodenale (A. duodenale) and Trichuris trichiura (T. trichiura) were commonly observed. A total of 178 pupils (89%) found to be infected with one or more of these worms. A.lumbricoides had the highest prevalence of 52.8%, while A.duodenale and T.trichiura had 32.58% and14.61% respectively in all five villages in the Local Government Area. Infection rates and geophagic habits were established to be highest in children between the ages of 5 and 7years (p>0.05). Location and sex were observed to be insignificant factors in the distribution of these parasites (p>0.05). Geophagy and any other form of contact with the topsoil and children orally should therefore be noted as an important risk factor for orally acquired parasitic infections among children. Education on geophagy prevention should be an integral component of all soil-transmitted parasite control programs.Item Open Access Possible health implications associated with cosmetics: A review(Science Publishing Group, 2015) Okereke, J. N.; Udebuani, A. C.; Ezeji, E. U.; Obasi, K. O.; Nnoli, M. C.Cosmetics are products applied to the body or face to improve appearance. They cleanse, beautify, promote attractiveness and alter the appearance of the body. The concept of beauty and cosmetics is as old as mankind and civilization. Assorted beauty products such as skincare products, hair products, fragrances, oral hygiene, and nail products, which may contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to health are used especially by women. Most cosmetic products contain hazardous chemicals like Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Talcum, Parabens, Coal tar dye, Phthalates, Fragrance, Mineral oil, Triethanolamine and some heavy metals eg, Lead, Arsenic, Nickel, Cadmium, and Mercury. The bioaccumulation of these harmful chemicals and metals in the body over time has been associated with cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, contact dermatitis, hair loss, lung damage, ageing, skin disease and reaction, allergies, and damage of nails. The deleterious chemicals and metals can enter into the body by inhalation of perfumes, deodorant, nail polish, scented powder, etc; by absorption through penetration of harmful chemicals from body creams, moisturizers, cleanser, eye shadow, etc. It can also be by ingestion of chemicals and metals in lip sticks, lip balm, lip gloss, etc. through the mouth.