The logistic model-generated optimal stocking levels, optimal species mix and carrying capacity of wild herbivores in southern rangelands game ranches in Kenya
June 2013
This paper derives logistic models for Grant's gazelle Gazella granti, Thompson's gazelle(Gazella Thompsonii) and plains Zebra (Equus burchellii), in a game ranching system. The study was conducted on an 8100 hectares savannah ecosystem in Machakos district, with an average annual rainfall of 514±159.3 mm. Modelled as discrete-time logistic equations with fixed carrying...
Harmonisation of physical and chemical methods for soil management in Cork Oak forests - Lessons from collaborative investigations
June 2013
As part of a collaborative project to investigate human impacts on Quercus suber L. (cork oak) forests, five research groups from countries in Europe and North Africa undertook a survey of soil quality (physical properties, potentially toxic elements) at sites in NW Tunisia and NW Sardinia. All groups performed the analysis of soil samples after agreeing prescribed methodologies to ensure...
Food items and general condition of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis (Lacepede, 1803) caught in Warri River, Nigeria
June 2013
A total number of 202 specimens, comprising 75 females and 127 male specimens ofHyperopisus bebe occidentalis were caught from Warri River. This gave a 1:1.7 female to male sex ratio. The total length range for male specimens was 189.2 to 355.0 mm and 246.0 to 376.1 mm for females. The body weight range for male specimens was 51.0 to 448.0 g, while that recorded for female specimens was 106.0 to 400.0 g....
Public perception of ecosystem service functions of peri - urban forest for sustainable management in Ogun State
June 2013
Forest ecosystems and landscapes are under strong and multiple pressures that challenge their capacities to continue to deliver the many and critical environmental goods and services that all life systems require. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate public perceptions on the ecosystem services (ES) of Arakanga Forest Reserve in order to provide relevant information for successful initiatives...
Ecohydrological characterization of the Nyando wetland, Lake Victoria, Kenya: A State of System (SoS) analysis
June 2013
Lake Victoria floodplain wetlands have a complex hydrological setting characterized by...
Bio-ethanol production from poultry manure at Bonga Poultry Farm in Ethiopia
June 2013
This study aimed to determine bio-ethanol potential of poultry manure. The manure was hydrolyzed by dilute H2SO4 (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 M) at temperature of 100 and 130°C for 30 min. Maximum glucose (115.6 g/l) was obtained from hydrolysis of 100 g poultry manure by 0.8M H2SO4 at 100°C for 30 min. The study shows that treatment of poultry manure releases more total...
An economic assessment of the Ramsar site of Massa (Morocco) with travel cost and contingent valuation methods
June 2013
As the only protected area in the whole south west of Morocco, the Souss Massa National Park(SMNP) is characterized by a remarkable biodiversity, with more than 300 plants species, 250 bird species, 20 mammal species and also by the high diversity of its ecosystems, such as theAragnia spinosa forest, steppes, dunes and coastal wetlands. This park can...
The cost of poor land use practices in Lake Nakivale Wetland in Isingiro District, Uganda
June 2013
The land use practices around Lake Nakivale Wetland have over the last five decades changed from dominantly cattle keeping to crop farming, human settlement and urbanisation. This change, has increased food production and security, it has come at a cost to the natural environment in form of land degradation, wetland encroachment, loss of wildlife habitats and crucial wetland resources. Based on a research conducted in...
Market conduct and performance of wild and semi-wild food plants traded in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda
June 2013
This study assessed the market conduct and performance of wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) traded in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. A rapid market survey (RMS) was conducted in 17 local markets in Kibanda County. Market prices and weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs were compared with some of the selected conventional food plants traded in the same locality. Weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs based on the usual...
Impediments, opportunities and strategies to enhance trade of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda
June 2013
This study examined the impediments, opportunities and strategies to enhance trade of wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered face-to-face to sixty six (66) traders of WSWFPs in the formal markets: five (5) mobile hawkers and eleven (11) home-based/roadside traders. As a result of their small number, all traders that were found selling...
Aquatic Environmental Contamination: The fate of Asejire Lake in South-Western Nigeria
June 2013
In Nigeria major cities face serious water pollution crises, in which lack of environmental control of water-dependent activities play an important part. This generates unpleasant implications for health and economic development since most urban and rural areas depend upon lakes and rivers for their water supplies. A study of catfish from Asejire Lake (located at the outskirt of Ibadan, a major city in Oyo...
Recovery of pure slaked lime from carbide sludge: Case study of Lagos state, Nigeria
June 2013
Carbide sludge is the by-product of reaction between calcium carbide and water in the production of acetylene gas for welding purposes. This by-product is discarded as waste due to high content of impurities as a result of the reactants and reaction processes. In this research work an attempt was made at developing an appropriate process technology for the recovery of pure slaked lime from Nigeria’s...
Evaluation of physico-chemical and microbial parameters on water quality of Narmada River, India
June 2013
The present study was carried out to ascertain the quality of water at western zone of Narmada River of Madhya Pradesh (India). Due to heavy discharge of harmful and deleterious substances in river, the biological, chemical and physical characteristics of water have changed to a considerable extent. The objectives of this study were to find out the changes in physico-chemical nature as well as biological...
Hydrochemistry of shallow groundwater and surface water in the Ndop plain, North West Cameroon
June 2013
This study was conducted on the hydrochemistry of shallow groundwater and surface water in the Ndop plain, North West Cameroon. The objectives were to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of water, controls on water chemistry and suitability for drinking and irrigation. Forty-six shallow groundwater and 26 surface water samples were investigated. Field measurements of physical parameters were...
The performance characteristics of groundnut (Arachis hypogea, L.) biodiesel in a diesel engine
June 2013
The performance of groundnut ethyl ester blended with diesel in a compression ignition engine was experimentally determined. Groundnut oil reacted with ethanol to produce ethyl esters in a two-step transesterification process. The ethyl-esters were blended with automotive gas oil at (0 to 20%) mix with 5% increment of groundnut ethyl-esters to produce biodiesel. The performance of a 2.46 kW diesel engine was...
Earthworm-assisted bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil from mechanic workshop
June 2013
The use of earthworms (Eudrilus eugenia) for vermi-assisted bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated mechanic workshop soils was investigated. Parameters of interest where earthworm survival, microbial count and identification, carbon and nitrogen contents of the soil and total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the soil. Earthworm survival was found to be dependent on the concentration of petroleum...
Impact analysis of lead, copper and zinc content in selected African indigenous and exotic vegetables from Nairobi markets, Kenya
June 2013
Vegetables consumed in urban sites can be contaminated with harmful metal levels absorbed from planting sources because metals are commonly present in soil. The present study was carried out to evaluate Pb, Cu and Zn concentration in ten of the commonest vegetables in Nairobi markets. Vegetables were collected from 15 markets in urban and peri-urban Nairobi and analyzed for metal content using an Atomic...
Simulation of oil spill infiltration and redistribution in a shallow aquifer
June 2013
Simulations of oil spill infiltration and redistribution in a shallow aquifer were conducted in this work to quantify their effects on groundwater. Results showed that flow of oil spills can be adequately described by infiltration and redistribution patterns within the domain. Without the influence of rainfall, the contaminant plume pervaded the water table within one year of the spill through the influence...
Microbiological and chemical assessment of spring water from a rural setting in Ondo State Southwest, Nigeria
June 2013
Assessment of spring water from Ikare-Akoko, a rural setting in southwest, Nigeria for microbial and chemical contaminants was carried out. Total heterotrophic bacteria count of 4.0 x 106CFU/mL was highest during the peak of the rainy season in Omi-idu spring (Igbede community) while the lowest population of 0.14 x106 CFU/mL was in Agadagidi spring (Ishakunmi community). The highest coliform population...
Assessment of ground water contamination in Erode District, Tamilnadu
June 2013
A systematic study has been carried out to assess the water contamination and the effect of the tanneries and dyeing industries effluents on Erode District, Tamil Nadu. Ten (10) sampling locations were selected in and around industries. The water samples were collected from the selected sampling points. The samples were analyzed for major chemical water quality parameters like pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Cl,...
Tuhar pulse flowers corroding by corrosive pollutants
June 2013
Tuhar (Arhar) pulse is a very important crop of Indian farmers. It is one of the most proteinous foods of the public. It is a common food for Indian people. It is cultivated mostly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharastra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Recently, in these states, industrialization and infrastructure development works are going very fast causing huge amounts of pollutants and...
Assessment of changes in drinking water quality during distribution: A case study of Area 25 Township in Lilongwe, Malawi
May 2013
The quality of drinking water at the point of delivery to the consumer is crucial in safeguarding people’s health. This study assesses changes in drinking water quality during distribution at Area 25 Township in Lilongwe, Malawi. Water samples were collected from the exit point of the treatment plant, storage tank and taps at consumers’ households. All samples were tested using standard procedures for pH,...
Spatial variation of volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide in Blantyre City, Malawi
May 2013
This study assessed variations of ambient volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in Blantyre City, Malawi. Volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide measurement was done using the Multi-Gas Monitor between August and December, 2010. Rapid urbanization and lack of standard enforcement on air pollution as well as lack of data on pollutant levels in the city prompted this study. The study focused...
Evaluation of soil and water salinity for irrigation in North-eastern Ethiopia: Case study of Fursa small scale irrigation system in Awash River Basin
May 2013
For sound land use and water management in irrigated area, knowledge of the chemical composition of soils, water, climate, drainage condition and irrigation methods before action are crucial for sustainability of irrigation projects. The study aimed to evaluate the physicochemicalproperties of soils and water for intended irrigation scheme with reference to standard suitabilityclasses. With regard to this, a study...
Temporal pollution by nitrate (NO3), and discharge of springs in shallow crystalline aquifers: Case of Akok Ndoue catchment, Yaounde (Cameroon)
May 2013
Less than 30% of households in Yaounde have direct access to pipe-borne water. It is important to generate a time series on quality and quantity of spring water, which is an alternative source of water. Accordingly, temporal variation of NO3 and dissolved oxygen (DO), lag time of springs recharge by rainfall, discharge of springs and annual discharge of water from the Akok-Ndoue catchment was evaluated. Eleven springs,...
A study of the physico-chemical water quality, hydrology and zooplankton fauna of Opa Reservoir catchment area, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
May 2013
This study was aimed at relating the zooplankton fauna of Opa reservoir catchment area (Rivers Obudu, Opa and Esinmirin) to their physico-chemical water parameters and some aspects of their hydrology. Basin perimeter, basin width, total length, number of streams, river order and discharge showed significant positive correlation with species occurrence, while compactness ratio showed significant positive correlation with...
Mass of Prunus africana stem barks on Tchabal mbabo and Tchabal Gang Daba Mountain Forests, Cameroon
May 2013
Prunus africana is a species of the Rosaceae family, known under its common name as pygeum or African cherry. The bark is the major source of an extract used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, an increasingly common health problem in older men in the western world. A study which aimed to produce a formula for establishing the mass of the bark of Prunus africana specimens was carried out in May 2011 on Tchabal Mbabo...
Hydrogeochemical analysis and quality evaluation of groundwater from Onicha-Uburu, Southeastern Nigeria for irrigation purposes
May 2013
A total of 20 groundwater samples from boreholes and hand dug wells within Onicha-Uburu and its environs were assessed to determine their suitability for irrigation purposes. Physical and hydrogeochemical parameters were evaluated, while techniques such as sodium absorption ratio (SAR), sodium percent, residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR) were used to assess the suitability of these...
Research on the efficiency and performance of camera traps and dome system for wild goat inventory
May 2013
This study, carried out in 2009-2010, aims to use imaging technology for wild goat inventory in the study area, because direct counts done by means of labor intensive techniques give high error rates. Camera traps and dome systems are used to investigate the replacement of direct counts done by authorized institutions, using manpower in vast and rough terrains for Capra aegagrus. In a total area of 555 hectares, of...
Heavy metals found at Umzimvubu River Estuary in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
May 2013
The aim of this research was to detect and measure the concentration of heavy metals found in the water and silt of the Mzimvubu River at Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. The water from this river estuary is used by the people and animals of that area and is suspected to cause several health conditions. The objective of the research was to undertake a pilot analysis for heavy metals. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy...
Heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment and periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscastus) samples harvested from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
May 2013
Heavy metal pollution of terrestrial and aquatic environments in Niger-delta region of Nigeria is on the increase due to increased urbanization and crude oil exploration. Tympanotonus fuscastus are mud dwellers and could bioaccumulate heavy metals; therefore consumption of heavy metal contaminated sea foods like periwinkle may breed lots of health problems. Heavy metal concentration in water, sediment and Periwinkle...
Evaluation of copper and lead immobilization in contaminated soil by single, sequential and kinetic leaching tests
May 2013
The effectiveness of natural clay, calcium phosphate, poultry manure and rice husks as cheap and ecologically non-invasive amendments for immobilizing Cu and Pb in contaminated soil was assessed. A moderately contaminated soil was sampled from a cultivated field in the vicinity of an active waste dump, characterized and amended with the immobilizing agents at 5 to 20% w/w. Single (calcium nitrate), sequential (optimized...
Water quality assessment in Bangwe Township, Blantyre City, Malawi
May 2013
This study assessed microbial contamination of water in sources (boreholes and open wells) and selected households in four Malawian villages (situated in Bangwe Township, Blantyre city) by analyzing the presence of faecal coliforms using membrane filtration. Additionally, pH, conductivity and temperature of the water sources were also determined. Conductivity ranged from 150.5 to 1575 µS/cm. About 70% of all water...
Residue analysis of organochlorine pesticides in water and sediments from Agboyi Creek, Lagos
May 2013
Microlayer water, mixed layer water, epipellic and benthic sediments were collected from Agboyi Creek, Lagos to analyse organochlorine pesticide residues. Sampling was conducted between December 2008 and September 2009 during the dry and wet seasons to study effects of seasonal variation on the samples. Water samples were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction using dichloromethane,...
Ecosystem services and drivers of change in Nyando floodplain wetland, Kenya
May 2013
Papyrus wetlands in East Africa play a vital role in supporting livelihoods of people living around them. Although, subject to natural fluctuations and threats by anthropogenic activities, little is known about historical changes in wetland functions and services, or their present status. We focused on Nyando wetland on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Three sites in the wetland were identified for...
Comparison of membrane bioreactor technology and conventional activated sludge system for treating bleached kraft mill effluent
May 2013
The purpose of this paper was to review the use of membrane bioreactor technology as an alternative for treating the discharged effluent from a bleached kraft mill by comparing and contrasting membrane bioreactors with conventional activated sludge systems for wastewater treatment. There are many water shortage problems currently in the world, some of which are more serious than others. Public concern over health and...
Public participation in Malawi’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) process
May 2013
Since the adoption of the Environmental Management Act of 1996, Malawi has been using environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a tool for predicting and assessing the impact of development projects on the environment. This study assessed the extent of public participation in Malawi’s EIA process. Desktop study of relevant documents such as EIA and environmental audit reports, policies and laws, books,...
Electrical resistivity imaging of contaminant zone at Sotubo dumpsite along Sagamu-Ikorodu Road, Southwestern Nigeria
May 2013
Electrical resistivity method was used to investigate the effect of leechate contamination of groundwater at Sotubo solid waste dumpsite. Both Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and Constant Separation Traverse (CST) technique were carried out using Schlumberger and Wenner electrode configuration, the estimated apparent resistivities (ρ) were interpreted using partial curve...
Uptake kinetics of arsenic by lettuce cultivars under hydroponics
May 2013
Arsenic (As) uptake ability based on kinetic parameters by two lettuce cultivars; Sijibaiye (SJBY) and Texuanyanlingsun (TXYLS) was investigated in nutrient solution containing eight levels of arsenic (As). Depletion of As from solution was monitored over a period of 24 h at regular time to estimate As uptake kinetics of the plants. Km and Vmax values were evaluated with the aid of the Lineweaver - Burk plot (that is...
Some crustacean zooplankton of Wular lake in Kashmir Himalaya
May 2013
In a taxonomic survey of crustacean zooplankton collected from Wular lake of Kashmir, a pictorial key was developed. Thirty-six (36) pictures of 25 species of crustacean zooplankton, out of which 21 represented 16 Cladocera taxa belonging to Chydoridae (Alona affinis, A. rectangula and A. monacantha, Chydorus sphaericus and C. ovalis), Daphnidae (Daphnia magna, D. catawba, D. magna, D. pulex; D. rosea, D. galeata, D....
Contribution of some water bodies and the role of soils in the physicochemical enrichment of the Douala-Edea mangrove ecosystem
May 2013
The effect of enrichment of water bodies could be of serious crises to the mangrove ecosystem. Changes in physicochemical properties of some water bodies in the Douala-Edea mangrove ecosystem was investigated alongside the potential role of soils in controlling these parameters. Water and soil samples within the Douala industrial zones were collected in February 2010 and analysed using standard methods. The...
Housing and Health: The relationship between housing conditions and the health of council tenants
April 2013
An insight into environmental laws in Canada
April 2013
Concern for the environment has been increasing around the world since the early 1980s. In the year 1987, the Brundtland report heightened awareness of the need for significant legislative and other changes. People in Canada are gradually becoming more aware of the urgent need to protect the environment. Canadians are involved with many projects to protect fragile ecosystems and stop further environmental destruction....
“Mapping the regional variation in potential vulnerability in Indian Agriculture to climate changeâ€- An exercise through constructing vulnerability index
April 2013
India is potentially vulnerable to adverse impacts in agriculture on account of climate change. The Anticipated changes in water availability (surface, freshwater and ground water), temperature rise, soil degradation and the suggested increase in extreme events such as the drought, floods and cyclones will affect agricultural severely. The present paper aims to develop the vulnerability profile of agricultural systems...
Optimising a fall out dust monitoring sampling programme at a cement manufacturing plant in South Africa
April 2013
The aim of this study at the specific cement manufacturing plant and open cast mine was to develop a positioning guideline for monitoring equipment and to optimise the fall out dust sampling programme. A baseline study was conducted on existing practices and legal requirements relating to fall out dust monitoring. The different methods and techniques for the identification of particulate emission sources and the...
Effect of essential oils extracted from Satureja calamintha, Mentha pulegium and Juniperus phoenicea on in vitro methanogenesis and fermentation traits of vetch-oat hay
April 2013
The impact of inclusion of essential oils (EO) extracted from Juniperus phoenicea, Satureja calamintha and Mentha pulegium at three levels: 0, 1.66, 3.33 and 6.66 μl/ml of incubation medium, on methane production and rumen fermentation traits of vetch-oat hay was studied in in vitro gas production test, using 200 mg of substrate in a 60 ml graduated syringes. Gas production was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 24, 48, 72 and 96...
Effect of polyaluminium chloride water treatment sludge on effluent quality of domestic wastewater treatment
April 2013
Water resources degeneration is accelerated by the discharge of untreated wastewater and its byproducts, hence, reuse of these wastes is a major contributor to sustaining fresh water for the coming decades. In this study, the reuse of polyaluminium water treatment sludge (PA-WTS) as a flocculant aid to improve the effluent quality of wastewater during primary sedimentation is evaluated and presented. PA-WTS was...
Geo-environmental/ecological management study and audit scheme of Alakiri Field, Niger Delta
April 2013
Ten (10) water boreholes for water level monitoring and sub-soil analysis were carried out in the Alakiri Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The positions of the boreholes were chosen on the basis of grid sampling to reflect a good representation of the entire Alakiri field. Boring of the drill holes to 20 m each was carried out with the use of a light cable percussion rig. Stratigraphic synopses of the boreholes display...
Etiology, pathogenesis and future prospects for developing improved vaccines against bluetongue virus: A review
March 2013
Bluetongue is a viral disease that primarily affects sheep, occasionally goats and deer and, very rarely, cattle. The disease is caused by an icosahedral, non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus within the Orbivirus genus of the family Reoviridae. It is non-contagious and is only transmitted by insect vectors. BTV serotypes are known to occur in Africa, Asia, South America, North America, Middle East, India,...
Contamination of boreholes water by 76 pesticides molecules in the cotton zone of Kérou
March 2013
Analysis campaign of underground water was done in 2010 on five boreholes water samples situated in agricultural cotton zone. The obtained results showed the presence of various active matters of at least 76 residues of pesticides, especially insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, with accumulated contents which could average 0.350 or 350 μg/L per borehole. Indeed, all the prospected boreholes were contaminated....
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