Browsing by Author "Obasi, K. O."
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Item Open Access Bacterial quality of rainwater in selected communities in Imo State, Nigeria(UP, 2006-06) Okereke, J. N.; Obasi, K. O.; Obiekezie, S. O.; Okechukwu, R. I.Muitas comunidades rurais do estado de Imo, Nigéria oriental, não têm acesso à água potável, sendo que a á gua da chuva tem sido sua principal fonte. Neste estudo, foram determinados os níveis bacterianos da á gua da chuva em três comunidades, Umunumo, Egbema e Ihiagwa. As amostras foram colhidas direta mente de telhados de zinco, telhados de sapê e telhados de amianto em diferentes períodos de chuva, mês de maio (começo das chuvas), mês de julho (pico das chuvas) e outubro (final das chuvas). A água acumulada de telhados de zinco da comunidade de Umunumo também foi examinada. O nível bacteriano foi alto no começo das chuvas nas amostras coletadas nos telhados de sapê, sendo seu maior valor em Egbema (7,4 x 103 cfu/100 ml). Os níveis de coliformes totais e coliformes fecais ( °6± ² ³«´ µG¶G² ³ ¶G·•² ¸ ¹ ) tiveram picos no começo das chuvas, 10 – 36 cfu/100 ml e 1 – 5 cfu/100 ml, respectivamente. Também nos reservató rios subterrâneos a contagem total de bactérias, coliformes totais e coliformes fecais totais foi muito elevada. As amostras estudadas dos meses de julho (pico) e outubro (final) de todas as comunidades estavam dentro do padrão de qualidade de água potável da OMS. Usando um modelo estatístico (para a = 0.05), a hipó tese nula foi rejeitada para os métodos e o período da coleta, enquanto que o local de coleta foi aceito. Portanto, apenas o período e o método de coleta das águas das chuvas afetam os níveis bacterianosItem Open Access Bacteriological quality of water contaminated with faecal wastes from livestock(Science Publishing Group, 2015) Anyadoh-Nwadike, S. O.; Okereke, J. N.; Odah, R.; Obijekwu, O.; Okorondu, S. I.; Obasi, K. O.Water is very important to life but when contaminated, it can be deleterious to life. Livestock from various farms produce large amount of faecal wastes. Most cattle farmers move their animals from place to place around Imo State, Nigeria, in search of pasture, these animals defeacate indiscriminately. Again, many farmers indulge in indiscriminate disposal of animal wastes. These faecal wastes can be carried by runoff water into surrounding water sources causing them to become contaminated. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of possible pathogenic bacteria in water contaminated with poultry litters, cow and pig dungs. Faecal samples from poultry, cows and pigs were collected from School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) farm in the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, Nigeria. The contaminated water samples were examined for the prevalence of bacteria. Isolation and characterization of bacteria were done using standard microbiological protocols. Results revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, Erwinia amylovora, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecalis and Salmonella typhi. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most prevalent isolate followed by Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. The presence of these organisms of public health importance in water contaminated by livestock faeces calls for continuous surveillance of various water sources prone to faecal contamination. Appropriate treatment and disposal methods of these faecal samples as well as appropriate treatment of water source prone to such contaminants should be adopted so as to avert the possible health hazards resulting from use of water from such contaminated sources.Item Open Access Biosorption of Cd and Pb in textile effluent using musasapientum (Banana) peels(U. P., 2016-06) Okereke, J. N.; Ogidi, O. I.; Obasi, K. O.Abstract: The efficacy of using Musasapientum (banana) peels was tested for the removal of Cd and Pbusing batch experiments from textile industrial effluent. Standard spectophotometric techniques using AAS were adopted to assess the concentrations of the heavy metals before and after treatment of effluent with the biosorbent (banana peels). Metal sorption increased proportionally with the equilibrium metal concentration. The adsorption capacity of banana peels on the metal ions was of the order: Cd >Pb, with percentage removal of metal ions as 99.93% for Cd and 99.64% for Pb. Biosorption equilibrium isotherms were plotted for metal uptake capacity (q) against residual metal concentration (Cf) in the sample and mathematically expressed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The values of separation factor were between zero and one, indicating favorable sorption for the two metals (Cd and Pb) on the biosorbent. Peels of M. sapientum showed comparable biosorption capacity for Cadmium and Lead with other types of biosorbent materials found in literature and are cost effective, economical and eco-friendly in removal of these heavy metals from textile effluent sample.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 Environmental and health impact of industrial wastewater effluents in Nigeria - A review(U. P., 2016) Okereke, J. N; Ogodi, O. I.; Obasi, K. O.Wastewater effluents from industries particularly in developing countries like Nigeria are in most cases discharged into the adjoining environment; water bodies being mostly affected. Some of these wastewater effluents are untreated or inadequately treated before being discharged, which has become a worrisome phenomenon due to its impact on environmental health and safety. This paper is aimed at reviewing the environmental and health impacts of untreated or inadequately treated industrial wastewater effluents. The quality of wastewater effluents is responsible for the degradation of the receiving water bodies. This is because untreated or inadequately treated wastewater effluents may lead to eutrophication of the receiving water bodies and also create environmental conditions that favor proliferation of water-borne pathogens or toxin-producing cyanobacteria. In extension, recreational water users coming into contact with the infected water are at risk. Although various microorganisms play many beneficial roles in wastewater systems, a great number of them are considered to be critical factors in contributing to numerous water-borne diseases outbreak. Also, wastewater effluents have been shown to contain a variety of anthropogenic compounds, many of which have endocrine-disrupting properties. Since large amounts of wastewater effluents are passed through sewage treatment systems on a daily basis, there is a need to remedy and diminish the overall impacts of these effluents in receiving water bodies. In order to comply with wastewater legislations and guidelines, there is a need for adequate treatment before discharge. This can be achieved through the application of appropriate treatment processes, which will help to minimize the risks to public health and the environment. To achieve reduced discharge of wastewater into receiving water bodies, careful planning, adequate and suitable treatment, regular monitoring and appropriate legislations are necessary.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 Microbial flora of oil-spilled sites in Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria(Academic Journals, 2007-04-16) Okereke, J. N.; Obiekezie, S. O.; Obasi, K. O.The microbial flora of areas with and without oil spillage within the Egbema oil field in Ohaji/Egbema of Imo State was determined by standard microbiological methods. Preliminary results show moderate biological activities in both environments studied. The average microbial population of the area with oil spillage was 3.08 x 107 cfu/g, while that of the adjoining environment was 3.14 x 107 cfu/g for bacteria. Fungi population was of the order 106. The microorganisms isolated were identified to species level. Majority of the microorganisms were true bacteria. Actinomycete species were also found. In general, species difference between the two environments tended to be considerably significant. Since species and microbial population differences in soils are directly proportional to the availability of carbon source (nutrient), soil acidity, oxygen level and other factors, the significant variation in species and slight difference in microbial population observed are indicative of the effects of oil spillage on microbial flora of a given area.Item Open Access Performance of Zea Mays on soil contaminated with petroleum (Oily) sludge(U. P., 2016) Okereke, J. N.; Ogidi, O. I.; Udebuani, A. C.; Onyekachi, U. C.; Ukaoma, A. A.; Obasi, K. O.The study on the performance of Zea mays on soil contaminated with petroleum (oily) sludge was carried out using petroleum sludge sample from Kolocreek Rig in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria. Different concentrations of sludge contamination on soil were prepared and yellow and white maize seeds planted on them. Sludge and soil samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to determine their heavy metal concentrations (Nickel, Lead, Cadmium and Chromium) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content, using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Physical parameters of maize plants (plant height and average leaf width) were measured on weekly basis to determine the physical performance of the maize plant on petroleum sludge-contaminated soil using calibrated meter rule. Yellow and white maize seeds planted on uncontaminated soil (0% sludge) had 100% germination, seeds on 10% sludge had 75% and 50% germination respectively for yellow and white maize; seeds on 25% sludge had 25% germination each for the two maize types. Soil-plant transfer factor or bioaccumulation factor, f of the heavy metals by the plant showed that maize plant was able to take up the heavy metals from the soil (for example, f-value for Cr = 0.83 in 10% sludge, Ni = 0.91 in 25% sludge, Cd = 0.77 in 5% sludge, etc). Petroleum (oily) sludge contamination had significant effect on the general performance of Zea mays (p > 0.05). Maize plant has the ability to bioaccumulate (take-up) heavy metals and hydrocarbons from the soil thus possess high phytoremediation potential.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.Item Open Access Studies on the effects of burnt naira ash on soil properties(U. P., 2013-08-29) Okereke, J. N.; Obasi, K. O.; Udensi, J. U.; Ahumibe, N. C.Studies on the effects of burnt naira ash on soil properties was carried out using samples collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria dump site and the adjoining environment. The samples were subjected to microbial, physical and chemical analyses. Concentrations of heavy metals (Ni, As, Cd, and Hg) were also determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Microbial counts ranged from 60 CFU/g to 205 CFU/g with the isolation of the following bacteria species: Acetobacter sp, Epulopiscium sp, Shigella sp, Staphylococcus sp and Fusobacterium sp. The fungal isolates were Penicillium sp, Rhizopus sp and Aspergillus sp. The soil physical and chemical parameters analyzed, showed relative increase in comparison with the sample from the adjoining environment. While the pH of the control sample tended to be acidic, the samples from the dump site tended to be basic. The Chi-Square value of a = 0.05 for total microbial count was significant. Also, at a =0.05, the heavy metal concentration values showed significant difference while chemical and physical properties of the samples were however insignificant at a = 0.05. Burnt Naira ash affected the microbial, some physical and chemical properties of the polluted soil.