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Recent Submissions
Heavy metal concentration in fluted pumpkin (Telfaira occidentals) and health risk assessment in Obio/Okpor, Rivers State, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-06) Udofia, Helen Sunday
Heavy metals are non biodegradables and are inimical to human health. This research work was therefore carried out to establish heavy metal concentration in fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) in Obio/Akpor, Rivers state Southern Nigeria. Vegetable and soil samples were collected from ten different locations, taken to the laboratory and analyzed using standard methods. Six heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe) discovered in the vegetables were analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Consequently, human health risk levels associated with the consumption of these metals were also determined. The mean heavy metals concentration in the vegetable ranged as follows: Zn(7.56-36.77mg/kg), Fe(261.42-416.06mg/kg), Pb(1.00-2.01mg/kg), Cd(0.35- 0.55mg/kg), Cu(4.62mg/kg) and Cr(1.49mg/kg), The concentrations of all metals were generally below the permissible limits of WHO/FAO in vegetables except for Pb, Cd and Cr in some locations. However, statistical analysis of levels of the studied metals in T. occidentalis showed significant differences (p>0.05). The heavy metal concentration was in the order: Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. In terms of location, Iriebe showed the highest heavy metal concentration; followed by Oginigba and Rumuodara, which was the control showed the least. To assess the health risk of the inhabitants of Obio/Akpor due to heavy metal intake from T. occidentalis consumption, the target hazard quotient (THQ), daily intake of metals (DIM), health risk index (HRI) and hazard index (HI) were calculated. The daily intake of Cu (0.393) and Zn (1.978) were lower than the recommended daily intake level of metals and the tolerable upper intake level (UL). But the DIM of Pb (0.128), Cd (0.038) and Fe (27.488) exceeded the recommended daily intake level however, fall within the tolerable upper intake level. Cr (0.127) was lower than the recommended oral reference dose (RfD) of 1.5mg/kg. The THQ of all heavy metals in this study was less than 1; therefore, it does not pose health risk concern. However, The HRI and HI values show that the population may be at risk of heavy metal contamination.
Since T. occidentalis consumption is only one out of the many popular vegetables planted in this area, if other vegetable consumption as well as other routes of heavy metals exposure is considered, the potential health risks for the inhabitants might be higher than in this study. Therefore, there is need for continuous monitoring of heavy metals contamination because of its toxicity effect.
Corrosion inhibition of mild steel using extracts of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and kava leaves (Piper methysticum)
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2018-10) Ufondu, Pearl Chienye
This work investigated two plant leaves extract Velvet Bean and Kava, for inhibition properties and measured their efficiencies with change in time, extract concentration, and media. The metal used was mild steel, and the media HCl and NaCl. It also determined their optimum extract concentration among the tested range. Statistical analysis were also carried out on experimental results. Velvet bean leaf extract was obtained using ethanol in a hot extraction process through reflux. Kava leaf was juiced fresh because of its high moisture content. Extract concentrations - 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000mg/L were prepared for both leaves. The different concentrations for both leaves were tested in 1M HCl medium first, for five days respectively. The different concentrations for Velvet bean leaf were also used in NaCl medium for twenty-five days. In both HCl and NaCl media, the optimum concentration for Velvet bean leaf extract was 4000mg/L, after five days (91.77% efficiency) and twenty-five days (65.44% efficiency) respectively. For Kava leaf, the optimum extract concentration in 1M HCl media was 5000mg/L also after five days (94.16% efficiency). The efficiencies of both inhibitors were seen to increase as their concentrations were increased, and reduce as time increased. Velvet bean leaf extract was also seen to be fairly stable in both acid and base media over time. In NaCl solution, its efficiency was 65.44% after twenty-five days immersion, and 93.14%, after a delayed immersion of two weeks in 1M HCl solution. Statistical analysis showed VBL extract obeyed a quadratic model in both media, and KVL a pure quadratic model. Their high R2 values close to unity showed the adequacy of the models respectively and validated the experimental data. Extract concentration and time had a high effect on inhibition efficiency and were statistically significant. It would be of an advantage to quickly apply the use of these two plant leaves extracts in inhibiting corrosion on mild steel in 1M HCl and NaCl media, in actual industrial environments. Research should be done to check the extracts behaviour and corrosion inhibition efficiency at elevated temperatures, and other media. Even though these two plants could grow all year round, and are not yet popular as food in Nigeria, it would be beneficial for more research to be done on synthesising inhibitor components of the plants in the laboratory so as not shorten food supply by other plant use.
Comparative analysis of corrosion inhibition effects of esters of castor seed and rubber seed oils in flow pipes
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-02) Offurum, Julius Chigozie
Research work on “Comparative analysis of corrosion inhibition effects of ester of castor seed oil (ECSO) and Ester of Rubber Seed Oil (ERSO) in mild steel flow pipes” was carried out. The oil samples were extracted using solvent extraction techniques (n-hexane for castor seed oil and petroleum ether for rubber seed oil). The castor and rubber seeds were ground, and respectively soaked in the n-hexane and petroleum ether before subsequent subjection to soxhlet extraction, to obtain purer oils. The oils were esterified to obtain ECSO and ERSO. Phytochemical analysis of the esterified oils was conducted to reveal the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, tannins, cardiac glycocide, phenol, phytate, saponin and oxalate that are responsible for protection of the mild steel specimen. The mild steel samples were immersed in a flowing sulphuric acid solution held at various temperatures and pressures. Potentiodynamic polarization was used to determine the influence of the inhibitors on corrosion potential. Scanning electron microscopy provided surface-distorted information about the interaction between the acid medium/inhibitors and the mild steel, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the functional groups present in the inhibitors. The phytochemical evaluation results obtained showed that ECSO has alkaloid value of 2.2%, flavonoid (1.2%), tannic acid (8.6%), cardiac glycocide (7.0%), phenol (0.912mg/100g), Phytate (11.3%), Saponin (1.4%) and Oxalate (12937.5mg/100g), while those of ERSO have values of 2.1%, 43.5%, 12.0%, 28.0%, 1.605mg/100g, 10.8%, 11%, 59062.5mg/100g respectively. Inhibition efficiencies of ERSOtreated dynamic runs at 10g/l, 15g/l, 20g/l concentrations and at all treatment temperatures were higher than those of ECSO; maximum inhibition efficiencies for ERSO and ECSO applications were respectively 64.4% and 34.4% at 50% stroke, 20g/l dosage and 40oC. Furthermore, increase in treatment temperatures and pressures drastically lowered the 22 inhibition efficiency; the results obtained fit the Langmuir model for both inhibitors, with R2 values tending towards unity. Inhibition efficiencies of ERSO-reacted static runs, obtained from potentiodynamic polarization measurements were also higher than those of ECSO, peaking at 81.70% whereas that of ECSO peaked at 75.40%, both for 20g/l treatments at ambient temperature. Scanning electron microscope, SEM pictures of the mildsteel immersed in ECSO and ERSO showed the existence of absorbate species, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectra revealed that there were shifts due to O-H/N-H and C=O stretching frequencies from 3386cm-1 to 3209cm-1 and from 1743cm-1 to 1203cm-1 respectively. The inhibitor samples were able to inhibit mildsteel corrosion substantively, but ERSO gave better corrosion inhibition effects than ECSO.
The assessment and modelling of depletion of dissolved oxygen in Woji/Okujagu Stream
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-05) Owor, Alexander Alexander
This research work presents the study of the depletion of dissolved oxygen in Woji/Okujagu River in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of STREAM State,
Nigeria. The study was carried out between February, 2017 (dry season) and August, 2017 (wet season). The sampling exercise was done on six (6) selected stations (stations A, B, C, D, E and F) along the river located at progressive distances 200m upstream and downstream from the point of influent discharge. Sampling was done three times during the dry season (February) and during wet season (August) 2017. The physical and chemical properties of the river samples such as Temperature, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, Nitrates, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were analysed using standard methods. The parameters were then compared to ascertain their conformity with national and international standards set by the Nigerian Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Further analysis was carried out by the application of extended version of Thomas slope and O′Connor re-aeration and Streeter-Phelps models to determine the
depletion of dissolved oxygen in the River by the decomposition characteristics of the discharged effluents. The results of the analysis showed that the temperature ranged from 25.4 - 29.50C, TSS ranged from 145.6 – 484.4mg/L, EC ranged from 422.7 - 982.2 µS/cm, pH ranged from 6.0 - 7.3, Nitrates ranged from 12.5 - 97.3mg/L, BOD ranged from 22.5 – 75.2mg/L and DO ranged from 2.2 – 6.5mg/L. Only pH values were within the recommended NESREA and WHO standards. The pollution index for all the stations was 2.7081. The critical time tc was 6250 sec (0.0353 day). Deoxygenation constant Kd and ultimate BOD Lo were 0.744 and 79.2mg/l, respectively. The re-aeration constant Kr was 0.0282. The values of DO obtained from laboratory analysis were plotted against time. The DO curve generated showed that the minimum DO level of the River is 2.7mg/l. From the curve, the measured and simulated DO showed that the DO reduction rate tends to be greater than self-purification rate which can contribute greatly to the degradation of the quality of the river ecosystem and human/aquatic life. It is therefore recommended that relevant authorities should embark on regular monitoring activities of receiving STREAM in STREAM State to ensure the safety of human and aquatic population and the environment.
An evaluation of the effect of the Nigerian capital market on industrial development of Nigeria (1986 - 2017)
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-03) Ihezue, Ogochukwu Perpetua
The study assesses the Effect of the Nigerian Capital market on Industrial development (1986-2017).The Industrial development by data manufacturing sector and the capital market variables considered includes: Market Capitalization (MCAP), Volume of Shares (VOS) and All Shares Index (ASI). Applying Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Unit root test and Johansen co-integration, the model was estimated using Eview software. The estimated model revealed that there is a significant relationship between the explanatory variables (All share Index, Market Capitalization, Volume of shares) and Industrial development. This implies that there is a long run relationship between the capital market and Industrial development. The result further showed that only market capitalization is positively significant while Volume of Shares and All Share index were positive but insignificant. This helps us to adduce that market capitalization exerts more influence on industrial development than any variable from the capital market. Therefore it was concluded that the capital market contributes in no small measure to the development of Nigeria, hence it would be worthy that the government should among other restore confidence, formulate policies that would attract both Local and Foreign direct investment.