Browsing by Author "Nwoko, C. I. A."

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    Mineralogical and physicochemical assessment of Ihioma coal in Imo State of Nigeria
    (2016-12) Nwoko, C. I. A.; Onyedika, G. O.; Nkwoada, A. U.; Anyanwu, G. C.
    The physicochemical characterization of coal samples from deposits provides mineral distribution and composition data for utilization by scientists and policy makers. The characterization of coal samples of Ihioma coal deposits in Imo state, Nigeria was performed using proximate and ultimate analyses. XRD and ICP-AES were used to characterize the coal samples for potential energy utilization. Proximate analyze determined fixed carbon content and volatile matter to be 51.5% and 38.5% respectively, an indication of a good coking material. The carbon % in the ultimate analyses was at 64.6% while O2, H2, N2 and S were all below 5% which showed the coal potential to emit lower emissions. ICP-AES chemical composition determined SiO2 to be the most abundant followed by Na2O. The XRD peaks classified Ihioma coal as having Quartz, Albite and Haematite. Material mapping by XRD showed that Al and Si were evenly distributed while S, Co and Fe were unevenly distributed. Thus Ihioma coal has features of ignition and can undergo spontaneous combustion, hence a good source of thermal energy. Results also confirmed Ihioma coal as a potential material for pigments and can be utilized for ceramics, pottery and ornamentals.
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    Phytoextraction and risk assessment synergy of three edible plants in mining area
    (U. P., 2018-08-11) Nwoko, C. I. A.; Nkwoada, A. U.; Onu, L. U.; Njoku, P. C.; Ogbonnaya, D. O.
    The phytoextraction and risk assessment synergy of Arachis hypogea (groundnut), Zea maize (Corn) and Citrullus colocynthis L. (Melon) was investigated at a mining area contaminated with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn heavy metals. The metal concentrations in plant matter and soil were determined using AAS. The average pH at 5.2 showed a slightly acidic soil while the total organic content and electrical conductivity were low. The studied metals exceeded the Nigerian FEPA guidelines as well as EU threshold values at the sites. Increase in Cd concentration in the North and South caused a corresponding decrease in plant yield. The maize appreciably accumulated more Pb than melon and groundnut. The phytoplants at the West sampling point accumulated more Zinc and melon grown at the west accumulated highest zinc concentrations of up to 1100 mg/kg. The Presence of Cu metal at low concentrations favoured an equivalent increase in weight of harvested groundnut seed. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) showed a correlation that hyperaccumulators had equivalent higher CV distribution. The values of Cd, Cu and Pb exceeded the Health Risk Index value of 1 in all the three edible phytoplants. The Cd demonstrated the lowest Bioconcentration Factor of (0.03) within the sampling area, among studied metals and the three edible plants. Thus Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) results agreed with the Daily Intake of Metals (DIM) results, that consumption of any of the three edible plants are unsafe and poses a health risk to locals; hence, the synergy of THQ and DIM in evaluating experimental data is detected in this study.