Browsing by Author "Udebuani, A. C."
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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 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 The antimicrobial effects of local spices(UP, 2016-02) Obasi, Kalu. O.; Emeahara, U. V.; Okereke, J. N.; Udebuani, A. C.; Oparaigbo, M. I.The toxicity of garlic, ginger, pepper, and onion was studied on some clinical isolates. The isolates include: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus species, and Candida albicans. The crude extracts of the spices were obtained using 99% ethanol, 99% methanol, and hot water (100oc).Different graded concentrations of the extracts (aqueous and alcoholic) were prepared by pipetting one mill of the extract which yielded 100%, one mill of the extract plus one mill of water which yielded 50%, one mill of the extract plus 2 mills of distilled water which yielded 33.3%.The growth inhibitory effects of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were examined using agar well diffusion method. The extracts were found to possess antimicrobial effects on the isolates by inhibiting their growths on the agar plates used. Hot water extracts of onion exhibited growth inhibitions on Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species and Candida albicans with a mean of 11mm, 9.67mm, 4.67mm, 7.67mm, and 7mm respectively. Ethanol extracts of garlic exhibited growth inhibitions on Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species and Candida albicans with a mean of 9.33mm, 7mm, 9.67mm, 9mm, and 11.33mm respectively etc. Organic extracts of methanol exhibited a higher growth inhibition when compared to organic extracts of ethanol, and aqueous extracts. The growth inhibitory effects of the crude extracts were compared with some third generation antibiotics: Ampicillin and Griseofulvin. The conventional antibiotics exhibited greater zones of inhibition compared to the crude extracts. Generally, garlic exhibited a higher growth inhibition when compared to other extracts.