Browsing by Author "Ukaoma, A. A."

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    Genotoxicity of hairdressing salon effluent using allium cepa
    (U. P., 2020) Okereke, J. N.; Dike, Ijere. N.; Ukaoma, A. A.; Ezejiofor, T. I. N.
    Genotoxicity of hairdressing salon effluent using Allium cepa was carried out using different concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100% of hairdressing salon effluent obtain from different outlets. The presence and concentrations of some heavy metals such as lead, Mercury, Zinc, Cadmium and Arsenic in the effluent were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Chromosomal aberration assays were used to determine the mitotic index and chromosome aberration rate. There was an increase in the mitotic inhibition as the concentration increased whereas there was a decrease in the mitotic index, indicative of an inverse relationship shared by the two properties. The effluent induced chromosomal aberrations in the meristematic cells of the A. cepa root tip, and laggards were the most frequently recorded aberrations induced. Morphological abnormalities were also recorded in the roots of the Allium cepa. The genotoxic effects of hairdressing salon effluent on Allium cepa indicates that it contains toxic substances which may constitute environmental risks particularly on soils and plant crops planted near hairdressing salon facilities.
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    Level of heavy metals in soil samples from farmlands along highways in parts of Owerri, Nigeria
    (U. P., 2019-07) Okereke, J. N.; Nduka, J. N.; Ukaoma, A. A.; Ogidi, I. O.
    The research was designed to ascertain the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd) in soil samples from farmlands along highways in parts of Owerri. Soil samples were collected from cassava farms along three major roads with high traffic density and a rural road that served as control location, for possible heavy metals contamination due to vehicular emission. Standard laboratory procedures were adopted to determine the concentration of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Contamination factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index were mathematically calculated. The results revealed that the mean concentrations of metals in soil samples in mg/kg ranged from 3.00 – 6.31 for Cu; Pb, 0.09 – 4.00; Zn, 3.97 – 8.59; Ni, 0.001 – 0.96; and Cd, 0.31 – 0.79. These metals showed decrease in concentrations with increase in distance away from the highway. The values of contamination factor (CF) were low except for Cd and Pollution Load Index (PLI) for all soil studied showed no sign of pollution. There was no correlation between traffic density and concentration of heavy metal in soil except for Cd (Rs= 0.800). The overall results showed evidence of some heavy metal pollution on the soils with possible cumulative effect over time.
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    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.