Browsing by Author "Nkwoada, Amarachi"

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    Chemo-remediation of crude oil polluted soils obtained from recent polluted site in oil producing environs in Rivers State Nigeria
    (eSciPub, 2019) Iwu, Irenus Chinonye; Onu, Uchenna Lynda; Nkwoada, Amarachi; Onwumere, Fidelis
    The chemo- remediation of crude oil polluted soils from recent pollution sites in oil producing environs in River state was carried out by both in vivo and in vitro methods using macro-soil nutrients ( Nitrate, Phosphate and Potassium) as index for remediation. The soil samples were labeled A, B, C, D1 to D6, sample A was obtained from pollution free site used as a control.Sample C was crude oil polluted soil not treated with surfactant, sample B was crude oil polluted soil leached with surfactant and not mineralized. Samples D1-D6 were polluted soil samples, leached with surfactant and mineralized with fertilizer. The samples were leached with linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LABS) and later mineralized with Nitrate, Phosphate and Potassium (N.P.K) fertilizer and returned to the site of excavation to fallow for four months. The samples were later re-excavated and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Nitrate and phosphate contents were obtained with the aid of spectrum lab 725 UV visible spectrophotometer and potassium content was determined by use of a flame photometer. Results showed that sample A had nitrate concentration of 330ppm, sample B had concentration of 21ppm, sample C had a concentration of 54ppm while samples D-D6 had concentrations ranging from300ppm to 420ppm.Similarly, The phosphate concentrations were 68.50ppm, 17.00ppn, 28.00ppm and 48.80-136.40ppm for sample A, B, C.D1-D6 respectively. The potassium concentrations were not different as concentrations of 46ppm, 12ppm, 28ppm and 38ppm-64ppm was recorded for samples A, B, C, and D1-D6 respectively. These results revealed that crude oils not only renders soils unusable but also destroys the nutrient availability in soils. The soils can therefore quickly be reclaimed by leaching them with surfactants and mineralizing them with adequate inorganic fertilizer.
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    Emissions of gasoline combustion by products in automotive exhausts
    (U. P., 2016-04) Nkwoada, Amarachi; Oguzie, Emeka; Alisa, Christopher; Agwaramgbo, Lovell; Enenebeaku, Conrad
    Increased gasoline consumption in automotive engines have triggered the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) especially carbon dioxide (CO2) from automotive exhausts. These exhaust emissions depend on factors like the engine combustion design and operating conditions, fuel grade and lubricant, the state of maintenance and local road conditions and continue to affect the concentration of pollutants emitted by automotives like CO2 and unburnt hydrocarbons which are very toxic to humans, leading to environmental pollution. In pursuant of improved efficient engine and less toxic emissions, the use of gasoline blends and biofuels are not the panacea since the exhaust-gas concentration and its constituent are not indicative of the contribution of the constituent to the overall emission due to variations in exhaust-gas flow rate with different engine types and automotive sources. Moreover real-time monitoring, turbocharging technologies, fuel injection strategies and catalytic exhaust aftertreatment may reduce emissions if compared to base engines but significant risk of CO2 induced climate change continue to persist, while CO2 capture technologies such as adsorption and absorption are limited in contrast to new developments in engine and exhaust technologies that are cheaper and locally sourced and could become the next trajectory.
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    Phytochemical and GC/MS analysis of the rhizome of zingiber officinale plant grown in eastern part of Nigeria
    (U. P., 2018) Iwu Irenus Chinonye; Oze, Rita N; Onu, Uchenna Lynda; Nkwoada, Amarachi; Ukaoma, Adanma A
    Phytochemical and GC-MS analysis of zingiber offinale was carried out in the laboratory and with the aid of SHIMAZU Japan Gas Chromatography 5890-11 with a fused GC column OV 101 coated with polymethyl silicon (0.25 mm x 50 m). The result obtained confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and phenols in the plant. Twelve peaks were obtained from the he spectra of the GC-MS. peak 1 corresponds to Furan-3-carboxaldehyde with m/z 128 and molecular formulae C6H8O2, peak 2 was identified as Benzene -1-(1,5-dimethyl-4-4hexenyl)-4-methyl m/z 202 with molecular formulae C15H22. Peak 3 as ,1-,3-cyclohexadiene-5- (,5 diethyl-4-hexenyl -2-methyl (zingiberene) m/z 204 with molecular formulae C15H24, peak 4 as Alpha farnesene m/z 204 with molecular formulae C15H24. Peaks 5,6,7,8,9,10,1,12 occurred at m/z; 220,204, 194,242,,256,296,282, 296 corresponding to butylated hydrotoulene, C15H24,,cyclohexene-3- (1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl-6- methelene C15H24, 2-butanone-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl C11H14O3, methyl tetra decanoate C15H32O2, n-hexadecanoic acid C16H32O2, 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester C09H26O2, Octadec-9-enoic acid, C18H34O2, Gingerol C17H28O4 and Ricinoeic acid C18H24O2 respectively
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    Public participation in solid waste management practices within Owerri Urban of Imo State, Nigeria
    (U. P., 2016) Nkwoada, Amarachi; Alisa, Christopher; Duru, Ijeoma
    Municipal waste disposal have reached a crucial point in major urban areas in Nigeria especially Owerri urban and householder’s readiness to participate in waste management are still declining moreover the problems of indiscriminate dumping of refuse at central places and open dumping and burning at private residents continue to persist. A structured questionnaire was provided to residents of Owerri urban areas addressing lack of knowledge and attitude as a factor in waste recycling, methods of waste disposal, participation and practice using SCHOM analysis that identified 24 active waste dump/disposal sites. ANOVA at 0.95% value of F calculated was 0.25 and less than the value of F critical at value of 4.25 which shows that the burning and burying of waste was unaffected by usage of bins within any location but rather a habit acquired over the years. Also F calculated in column of ANOVA was less than F critical and showed that different zones exhibit different disposal habits and their levels of participation are affected by levels of quality of surrounding environment, popular trend, sex, age and income. SCHOM participants revealed a trend in volume of waste generated among householders to be Metals