School of Environmental Sciences
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Item Open Access 1D resistivity inversion technique in the mapping of igneous intrusives; A step to sustainable quarry development(Elsevier, 2017-11-13) . Nwachukwu, Micheal A.; Nwosu, Leonard I.; Uzoije, Patric A.; Nwoko, Christian A.The use of trial pits as a first step in quarry site development causes land degradation and results in more failure than success for potential quarry investors in some parts of the world. In this paper, resistivity, depth and distance values derived from 26 Vertical Electric Soundings (VES) and 2 profiling inversion sections were successfully used to evaluate a quarry site prior to development. The target rock Diabase (Dolerite) was observed and it had a resistivity range of 3.0 104 e7. 8 106 U-m, and was clearly distinguishable from associated rocks with its bright red color code on the AGI 1D inversion software. This target rock was overlain by quartzite, indurate shale and mudstone as overburden materials. The quartzite, with its off-red colour, has a resistivity range of 2.0 103 e2.9 105 U-m, while the indurate shale, with a yellowish-brown colour, showed resistivity values ranging from 6.1 102 e 2.8 105 U-m. Topsoil was clayey, with a resistivity range from 8 e 8.6 102u U-m and depths of 0.3e1.8 m, often weathered and replaced by associated rocks outcrops. The diabase rock, in the three prospective pits mapped, showed thicknesses of between 40 and 76 m across the site. The prospective pits were identified to accommodate an estimated 2,569,450 tonnes of diabase with an average quarry pit depth of 50 m. This figure was justified by physical observations made at a nearby quarry pit and from test holes. Communities were able to prepare a geophysical appraisal of the intrusive body in their domain for economic planning and sustainability of the natural resource.Item Open Access Adsorption of cupper (II) ion on heterogeneous surfaces of selected low-cost precursors; an application of isotherm, thermodynamic and kinetic models(U. P., 2015-01) Uzoije , Atulegwu .Patrick; Okolie, Justus I.; Njoku, P. C.; Enwereuzo., UzoCupper ions occur naturally in the environment and also prevalent in the waste from metal smelting industries through which it gets to the environment. Excessive intake of cupper results to adverse health effects on plant, animals and humans. The present study therefore studied the Adsorption of Cupper (II) ion on three activated bio-adsorbents; Unripe plantain peel, pineapple peel and commercial activated carbon. The activated carbons were characterized for surface morphology and functional groups for removal of Cupper (II) ion from aqueous solution. Batch process was adopted to study the time, temperature effect and isotherm equilibrium of Cupper (II) ion on. Adsorption of Cupper (II) ion on the three adsorbents got to equilibrium at between 80-100 minutes. Adsorption capacity of the three adsorbent was in this order at all temperature values; Unripe plantain peel greater than pineapple peel and greater than commercial activated carbon. Adsorption of Cupper ion increased with temperature, adsorption got to its plateau at 45oC and began to decrease. Langumuir-freunlich and Dubini-Radushkevichmodels were applied to analyze the Isotherm data. Langumuir-freunlich described the data better than Dubini-Radushkevich. Also, Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were applied to test the kinetic data, pseudo-second-order fitted the data better than pseudo-first order. Pore-pore particle diffusion was observed to be the controlling step. Endothermic and non- spontaneous processes characterized Cupper ion adsorption on the three adsorbents .Item Open Access Analysis of thermodynamics, kinetics and equilibrium Isotherm on Fe3+/Fe2+ adsorption onto palm kernel shell activated carbon (PKSAC): A low-cost adsorbent(SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2014-01-15) Uzoije, Atulegwu Patrick; Uche, Cosmas Chinedu; Ashiegbu, DarlingtonAdsorption of Fe3+/Fe2+ from a polluted shallow well water onto a palm kernel shell activated carbon (PKSAC) has been studied. Batch experiment was adopted to study the Removal efficiency of Fe3+/Fe2+ on varying contact time, temperature, adsorbent loading and concentrations. Equilibrium isotherm and kinetic were also studied. Removal efficiency progressed with contact time till the peak adsorption time of 100 minutes when the efficiency remained at equilibrium. Also, removal efficiency got to equilibrium at the peak values of 80ºC, 4.8g and 12.5mg/l for temperature, adsorbent loading and concentration variations respectively. The adsorption isotherm models fitted the isotherm data got at 25ºC, 40ºC and 80ºC in this order; Langmuir > Temkin>Freunlich. The dimensionless separation factor of 0.012, 0.017 and 0.015 for 25ºC, 40ºC and 80ºC respectively confirmed favorable adsorption of Fe3+/Fe2+ on the PKSAC adsorbent. Langmuir adsorption capacity increased from 203.9mg Fe3+/Fe2+/g to 389.3 mg Fe3+/Fe2+/g when the temperature increased from 25ºC to 40ºC but decreased to 308.1 mg Fe3+/Fe2+/g at temperature of 80ºC. The kinetic models described the kinetic study data got at 25ºC, 40ºC and 80ºC as follows; power-function>second-order>Elovick>intra-diffusion>first-order kinetics. Mass transfer through liquid film diffusion controlled the adsorption of Fe3+/Fe2+ onto PKSAC. Negative values of the Thermodynamic parameters (Δ , Δ and Δ) got at various temperature values showed favorability of adsorption of Fe3+/Fe2+ onto PKSAC.nIt is therefore concluded that PKSAC removed Fe3+/Fe2+ from aqueous solution.Item Open Access Assessment of multi-band capabilities in the detection of build-up area in Northwest Nigeria(U. P., 2006) Njoku, D. John; Okoli Chidi G; Atulegwu P. Uzoije; Iwuji, Martin CCorrected and uncorrected SPot XS Imagiries are used to achieved comparative assessment of build - up area land use and land use cover classes in Northwest Nigeria. The build -up environment showed on both imageries. The PAVM was used to determine the ability of data sets to produce similar results over the area . Result indicate a low PAVM value for the tertiary level urban land use and land cover classes except the commercial area. vacant lands, industrial area and open spaces show zero values. The results have implications on the planning of urban and natural resources development in the ecologically fragile region of Northwestern NIgeria.Item Open Access Comparative analysis of the quality of the shallow and deep aquifer waters of Nsukka se, Nigeria – a preliminary approach to water resource development .(Elixir Publishers, 2014) Onunkwo, A, A.; Uzoije, A. P.; Ibeneme, S. I.; Obioha, E. Y.Comparative analysis of the shallow and deep aquifers of Nsukka SE, Nigeria was studied as a preliminary approach for the underground water resource development of the region. Method of approach involves the identification of rock formations and delineation of their stratigraphic relationships. Activities involved collection and analysis of water samples from boreholes and hand dug wells. A total of 14 water samples were collected (7 from shallow and deep aquifer each) and analyzed for inorganic and organic components. Ca2+,Na+, Mn2+, Cl-, Pb and Cd were analyzed using Atomic absorption spectroscopy. K+ was determined using flame photometer method. Copper Cu2+ was analyzed using spectrophotometer, pH was analyzed with the aid of pH meter, Fe2+ was determined calorimetrically using Spekker absorption meter; Tds was determined using glass fiber filter. Turbimetric method was used to assess turbidity. Anions like HCO3- were also estimated by titrimetric method. Coliform analysis was carried out by the most probable number technique (MPN). The result shows that average pH for deep and shallow aquifer gives 5.8 and 6.3, sulphate 14.2 and 10.97, Nitrate 2.5 and 2.2., Phosphate 1.48 and 1.68, iron 1.98 and 1.60 magnesium 11.4 and 11.8, Sodium 1.80 and 2.4, Chloride 8.4 and 9, Tds 33.51 and 62.17. The coliform count ranges from 3/100 to 7/100 ml only for shallow aquifer (pollution), magnesium is the major contributors of hardness in both cases. Deep aquifer water plots as magnesium cation and a no dominant anion and on the transition between fresh and salt water (brackish water). The shallow aquifer has magnesium sulphate and plots in the zone of sea water, and shows hard water. The SAR for deep aquifer is 0.58, while that of shallow aquifer is 0.32 both are excellent for irrigation. Both waters are ideal for use in industries and homes, while the aquifers are highly polluted by iron, the shallow aquifer is polluted by water borne diseases. Reference to these information is ideal for the water resource development of the region.Item Open Access Correlates in groundwater quality parameters and textural classes of soils in a peri-industrial district of the Nigerian Delta Region(Researchgate, 2012) Dike Henry Ogbuagu; John Didacus Njoku; Atulegwu Patrick Uzoije; Joseph Ikechukwu Nwachukwu; Tochi Ezechi EbeThis study investigated the physicochemical status of groundwaters of the oil-rich Ekakpamre community in Ughelli, Nigeria. Ten borehole water samples located about 1 km apart and soil samples around them were collected and analyzed by standard methods. Clay, sand and silt compositions in overlaying soils appeared to influence the DO (r=-0.999), TPH & toluene (r=0.998, each), and K+ ion (r=-0.999) levels in groundwaters at P<0.05. Three PCs which accounted for 100% variability in the original 27 variables formed the extraction solution and were most correlated with Cr (0.995), Pb (0.989) and PO42- ions (0.947). Though the high compositions of clay (72.67 ± 2.33%) and low compositions of sand (24.33 ± 2.60%) in the study indicates slight possibility of migration of surface pollutants to aquifers, the exceedances of Pb and Cd levels over regulatory limits portends public health hazards to consumers of groundwaters in the area.Item Open Access Impact of open sewage dumpsites on groundwater quality in Igwuruta, Rivers States State, Nigeria(U. P., 2014) Edo, F. A.; Ejioju, C. C.; Uzoije, A. P.; Nwachukwu, M. A.; Okoli, C. G.This study investigated groundwater quality around an open sewage dumpsite at Igwuruta, Rivers State, Nigeria. Six monitoring boreholes sited within the vicinity of the dumpsite and a reference borehole sited about 5 km away was sampled during the rainy season of 2012. In situ determination of water temperature, pH, conductivity, salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) were made using a Horiba U-10 water quality checker and water samples collected in replicates. Heavy metals, oil content and other physicochemical parameters were also determined. The quality parameters varied as follows: pH 6.40 - 7.84 (6.79 ± 0 .07); DO 5.20 - 6.30 (5.76 ± 0.09) mg/L; Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 1.20 - 4.60 (3.63 ± 0.22) mg/L, Chemical Oxygen Demand 2.10 - 7.00 (5.65 ± 0.34) mg/L, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 14.00 - 26.00 (20.59 ± 0.73) mg/L, total coliform counts 1.00 - 6.50 (4.48 ± 0.37) MPN; salinity 0.000 - 0.004 (0.002 ± 0.0002) ‰; SO42- 1.10 -10.00 (4.07 ± 0.57) mg/L; NO3- 1.00 - 6.80 (3.75 ± 0.49) mg/L; PO42- 0.04 - 0.66 (0.42 ± 0.05) mg/L; oil 0.000 - 0.005 (0.0020 ± 0.0003) mg/L; Pb 0.000 - 0.038 (0.022 ± 0.002) mg/L; Cr 0.001 - 0.085 (0.047 ± 0.007) mg/L; Ni 0.012 - 1.110 (0.362 ± 0.102) mg/L and Hg 0.000 - 0.001 (0.00067 ± 0.0001) mg/L. The levels of BOD, total coliform counts, PO42-, TSS, Cu, Fe, Cr and Ni exceeded the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment maximum permissible limit for drinking water, indicating pollution of groundwater within the sewage disposal site. Treatment of raw sewage before disposal at the dumpsite is therefore recommended.Item Open Access The impact of urban run-off on Ogbor River(U. P., 2005) Atulegwu, Patrick UzoijeImpact of urban run-off on Ogbor River in Aba metropolis has been studied. The run-off contains toxic chemical, heavy metals and suspended solids. Water samples were collected from three discharged points in the months of May to September. The results of the analysis of the samples show high-level concentration of lead, iron, cadmium, cyanide and chromium (1.7mg/l, 5.52mg/l, 1.47mg/l, 2.44mg/l and 1.31mg/I respectively). However, the water sample of the slaughter house,and the industrial effluents are free from heavy metals. In addition, the water quality of the downstream location of the river shows an appreciable reduction of the concentration of the heavy metals probably due to dispersion effect. The presence of this pollution in water is hazardous to health. Ballasted flocculation technology can be used to reduce .Item Open Access Vaporization kinetics of Nigerian crude oil from different soil samples of Niger Delta(Medwell Journals, 2008) Uzoije, Atulegwu PatricThe vaporization/ volatilization kinetics of different Nigerian crude oil spilled on different soil samples has bee investigated. The rates of disappearance of these crude oil samples were low from soil sample of high clay, organic matter content and low porosity and versa. Crude oil samples with high molecular hydrocarbons contents also experience low disappearance rate.