Assessment of sharps waste management practices in a referral hospital
March 2016
Sharps waste is part of infectious waste generated in health facilities, management of which is critical. This study aimed at assessing the sharps waste management practices in a referral hospital. The study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data on sharps waste containers (SWCs) management in generation rates was collected for 60 days, while waste incineration data was...
Effect of biochar on soil properties and lead (Pb) availability in a military camp in South West Ethiopia
March 2016
Application of biochar to soil can improve numerous physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. The method for lead metal (Pb) remediation in soil is a challenge worldwide. The excessive Pb accumulation in the soil can radically reduce the soil quality and fertility. This study was conducted to find out the efficiency of biochar in improving the physicochemical properties of soil and to evaluate its effect on...
Physico-chemical and microbiological profile of bacterial and fungal isolates of Ikpoba River in Benin City: Public health implications
March 2016
This study examined the physico-chemical and microbiological profile of bacterial and fungal isolates of Ikpoba River between February 2013 and March 2013. The mean bacterial count for upstream water sample obtained in February was 2 × 102 ±1 cfu/ml while 1.09 × 104 ±3.6 was the count for treated industrial effluent sample collected in March. The mean fungal counts for the downstream water...
Effects of vegetation's degradation on carbon stock, morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of soils within the mangrove forest of the Rio del Rey Estuary: Case study – Bamusso (South-West Cameroon)
March 2016
This study was conducted to assess the capacity of mangroves soils to stock carbon and how degradation can influence its various properties. Transect method was performed. So, two transects of 100 m length and 10 m wide were established according to the degradation level. Total of 18 Soil samples were taken to be described and analysed. The degraded transect (T1) shows a mean carbon stock value of 2102.06 ± 405...
Evaluation of bacterial profile and biodegradation potential of abattoir wastewater
February 2016
Abattoir wastewater treatments were monitored using physicochemical parameters, bacterial profile and biodegradation potential for 28 days at 7 days intervals. The stages of abattoir wastewater treatment were evaluated through determination of physicochemical parameters such as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solid, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, phosphate, nitrate and iron using...
Evaluation of the impact of mine activity on surrounding soils of Draa Lasfar mine in Marrakech- Morocco
January 2016
Heavy metal pollution is one of the most important problems in Morocco and causes serious effects to humans and animals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of heavy metals in Draa Lasfar mine area in Marrakech city and understand the characteristics of the pollution generated by this mine activity. A total of 120 soil samples were collected from Ouled Bou Aicha and Tazakourte along...
Seasonal impact on phyto-accumulation potentials of selected edible vegetables grown in Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils
January 2016
Seasonal impact on soil trace metals and phytoaccumulation potentials of Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis sativus and Taliferia occidentalis grown in Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils were investigated. Soil samples were collected 200 m (sample C), 100 m (sample B) away from discharge point (sample A) in wet and dry seasons. Trace metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results reveal a...
Projections of precipitation, air temperature and potential evapotranspiration in Rwanda under changing climate conditions
January 2016
Precipitation and air temperature records from 6 sites in Rwanda in the period from 1964 to 2010 are used for past/present climate assessment. Future climate projections (2010-2099) based on 3 general circulation models and 2 emission scenarios (A2 and B1) are used for climate projections. Precipitation, air temperature, and potential evapotranspiration based on ccma_cgcm3_1.1; miroc3_2medres and mpi_echam5.1 models are...
Pollution assessment and heavy metal determination by AAS in waste water collected from Kushtia industrial zone in Bangladesh
January 2016
This study was to investigate the contamination level of waste water in the Kushtia industrial region of Bangladesh. Some parameters of waste water were analyzed like pH, electrical conductance, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and for heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn) concentration. The pH was found to be of range from 8.485 to 4.187; whereas, the...
Assessment of some heavy metals in the surrounding soils of an automobile battery factory in Ibadan, Nigeria
January 2016
The levels of heavy metals (Pd, Zn, Cr, Cd, Fe and Cu in mg/kg) in soils were assessed with respect to distance in different directions around an abandoned battery company in Ibadan, Western Nigeria by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. The results generally show a decrease of lead (Pb) concentrations with increase in distance away from the company in all the four different directions (Northwest,...
Spatial, seasonal and inter-seasonal variations of thunderstorm frequency over Nigeria
December 2015
Using a 10-year daily data thunderstorm and dry thunder (thunder without precipitation) that spans from 1991-2000, the spatial, seasonal and inter-seasonal variations of thunderstorm frequency have been investigated with results which include the production of seasonal and inter-seasonal maps of dry thunder (thunder without precipitation) and thunderstorm frequencies. Results showed that there exists a latitudinal belt...
Analysis of dendrometric characteristics of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae) in the semi-arid Sahelian area: A case study of silvopastoral zone in Senegal
December 2015
The study gives an analysis of the dendrometric parameters of a middle Sahelian species (Acacia senegal) in semi-arid environment to get better knowledge of its behavior. The research lays the principle that the species behaves differently according to the ecogeographical stations. So, its characteristics change from one environment to another. That is why it is important to do a specific study for every big zone. The...
Landscape architects perception of their role in the mining industry in England
December 2015
Landscape architects have a broad based academic training that prepares them to undertake a variety of different challenges in planning, design, construction and management of land. The purpose of this study was to establish their perception regarding their role in the mineral extraction industry in England. The study involved an online survey of landscape architects practicing in different organisations in...
Scrap metals’ role in circular economy in Ghana, using Sunyani as a case study
November 2015
Scrap metals can create jobs. It can also be reused and recycled as resource recovery measure in a circular economic model for Ghana. This case study therefore is a preliminary assessment of the quantity and economic value of scrap metals as essential part of resource recovery in the circular economic model. The findings of the study shows that scrap metal industry is growing in the Sunyani Municipality and similar...
A comparative study of faecal sludge management in Malawi and Zambia: Status, challenges and opportunities in pit latrine emptying
November 2015
This review paper covers the issues of pit latrine emptying national policies and regulations with a focus on Malawi and Zambia. With 2.4 billion people worldwide still lacking improved sanitation facilities, developing countries need to look at policy, regulation and practice for household sanitation service provision with a new lens. What happens “next,” when improved sanitation facilities eventually...
Microbial safety assessment of recreation water at Lake Nabugabo, Uganda
October 2015
This study assessed the microbial safety of Lake Nabugabo beaches for recreation. Faecal microbial indicators and physico-chemical characteristics of beach recreational water were determined. Water sampling was done between 10.00 and 11.30 h and 1700 and 18.00 h. Data was analysed using student t-tests, ANOVA and spearman correlation (at 95%). Results were: total coliform (10.5-15.8 CFU/100 ml), faecal coliform (10-12.5...
Assessment of cobalt levels in wastewater, soil and vegetable samples grown along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
October 2015
The concentration of cobalt was determined in wastewater, soil and vegetable (carrot, lettuce, onion, spinach, cabbage, tomato and okra) samples collected on seasonal basis from January, 2013 to September 2014 along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria. The results show cobalt levels in wastewater were in the range of 3.77 - 15.20 mg/L for the year 2013 and 4.74 - 15.20 mg/L in 2014; 0.63 - 3.57 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and...
Non-carbon benefits for effective implementation of REDD+: The case of Bale Mountains Eco-Region, Southeastern Ethiopia
October 2015
The study was conducted in four districts, namely Nansebo, Harenna Buluk, Dolo Mena and Dodolla, Southeastern Ethiopia with the following objectives - to: (i) investigate species richness and similarity, diversity, evenness and stand structure of the woody species; (ii) determine the amount of carbon stock stored in the above-ground biomass of woody species; (iii) establish the relationship between the Shannon diversity...
Estimation of methane generation based on anaerobic digestion and mass balance at Kiteezi Landfill, Kampala, Uganda
September 2015
Kiteezi landfill site is the main solid waste dumping site in Kampala City (Uganda). In this study, the generation of methane from waste at Kiteezi landfill was measured using laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion experiment and estimated using the Mass balance model. The samples were collected in the wet and dry seasons, with five replicates for each season which were processed for further experiments focused on...
Groundwater quality degradation due to salt water intrusion in Zanzibar Municipality
September 2015
Saltwater intrusion problems are widespread where there are over pumping of groundwater from coastal aquifers. Water samples were collected from production boreholes in Zanzibar municipality and analyzed for salinity indication parameters comprising of chloride, electrical conductivity, total dissolved salts and percentage salinity levels. Historical water quality data of boreholes were also collected and used to...
Investigation of groundwater flow potential in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria, using surficial electrical resistivity method
September 2015
Vertical electrical sounding (VES) employing Schlumberger electrode configuration was carried out in order to study the groundwater flow potential in Makurdi, north central Nigeria. This was done in thirty locations to determine the aquifer resistivity, thickness, longitudinal conductance, hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity. From the result, the averages and ranges of these parameters were determined. 2D contour...
Climate change adaptation strategies by small-scale farmers in Yatta District, Kenya
September 2015
Climate change is a great environmental challenge facing humanity today. In Yatta District, residents report frequent crop failures, water shortages and relief food has become a frequent feature of their life. This study examines the adaptation strategies to climate change adopted by the dry-land farming communities in Yatta District. Study participants included 510 randomly sampled small-scale farmers. Key informants...
Green roofs: A possible best management practice for enhancing the environmental quality of Ghanaian cities
August 2015
City expansion typically erodes the natural ability of the locale to perform its ecosystem services. This paper discusses green roofs and their potential benefits for Ghanaian cities in terms of improving environmental quality. Limited analysis shows that daily minimum temperatures of cities like Accra are rising faster than the daily maximum thereby decreasing the comfort index of city dwellers. Electricity consumption...
Spatio-temporal Variations of Abundance, Biomass, and Reproductive Parameters of Pseudodiaptomus hessei (Mrazek, 1895) (Copepoda Calanoida) in a West African Coastal Lagoon (Grand-Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire)
August 2015
The spatio-seasonal variations of Pseudodiaptomus hessei abundance, biomass and reproductive parameters were investigated in the Grand-Lahou lagoon at five stations during the dry and wet (or rainy) seasons from September 2005 to August 2006. In all sampling stations, abundance and biomass of P. hessei in the dry season were higher (0.16 to 2.17 ind.L-1, 0.45 to 4.97 µgC.L-1) than in the wet season (< 1...
Monitoring of metals in Tilapia nilotica tissues, bottom sediments and water from Nworie River and Oguta Lake in Imo State, Nigeria
August 2015
Tilapia (Tilapia nilotica), bottom sediments and water were collected from Nworie River and Oguta Lake. The muscle, liver and gills of the fish as well as the bottom sediments and water were analysed for Al, Cr, Cd, Pb, As, Zn, Mn, Co, Se, Cu, Ni and Fe using atomic absorption spectrophotometer to highlight the importance of tissue selection in monitoring research, contamination studies and human health risk assessment....
Environmental impact assessment of waste electronic and electric equipment (WEEE) management practices in developing countries through leaching tests
August 2015
Increasing quantities of domestic and imported waste electronic and electric equipment (WEEE) stimulates a rapid development of informal recycling activities in developing countries. This economically driven recycling, oftentimes based on open burning or acid-base treatment, followed by open dumping of the residues, does not usually fit environmental and public health requirements. For the underlying research, the...
Biosorption of nickel (II) ions from aqueous solutions by tapioca peel
August 2015
Tapioca peel, waste from native tapioca starch industry in Thailand, was used for the biosorption of nickel from aqueous solution. The experimental parameter focuses on the influence of contact time, solution pH, initial concentration and temperature using batch experiments. The results indicated that the biosorption process was relatively fast, and equilibrium was reached after about 30 min of contact. At pH 5, the...
Pesticide exposures in a malarious and predominantly farming area in Central Ghana
August 2015
In areas where malaria is endemic, pesticides are widely deployed for vector control, which has contributed to reductions in malaria deaths. Pesticide use for agrarian purposes reduces pest populations, thus improving crop production and post-harvest losses. However, adverse health effects have been associated with pesticide exposure, ranging from skin irritation to neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Though misuse of...
Climate change and its effect on grain crops yields in the middle belt in Nigeria
July 2015
Crop yield data were obtained from Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), Ilorin and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos on the crops considered in this study, while climate data were sourced from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi, Lagos and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos for a decade (2002 - 2011). These data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and Microsft Excel in order to...
Levels and occupational health risk assessment of trace metals in soils from automobile repair workshop village and environs in Uyo metropolis, Nigeria
July 2015
The levels of trace metals (Pb, Cu, Ni and Cd) were determined in soils from a major automobile repair workshop located in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This was carried out to evaluate the potential occupational risk to operators working in and around the site. The mean of trace metal levels were: lead (14.52 mg/kg); copper (0.50 mg/kg); nickel (0.17 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.67 mg/kg). These values were within the...
An assessment of environmental sanitation in an urban community in Southern Nigeria
July 2015
Inadequate environmental sanitation has been recognized as a public health hazard worldwide. In some Nigerian cities, living with waste as part of the natural environment has become a way of life. This study examined the sanitary condition of an urban community in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It used a cross sectional survey design for a population of 123,033 inhabitants of four villages in North Eastern Akwa Ibom....
Evaluation of pollution status of heavy metals in the groundwater system around open dumpsites in Abakaliki urban, Southeastern Nigeria
July 2015
The occurrence of various heavy metals such as iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (pb) and arsenic (As) as major contaminants in the Abakaliki dumpsites has been established in this research. Four dumpsites namely the Waterworks, the New layout, the Rice mill and the Iyiokwu, all within the Abakaliki metropolis, were used for this research. Water samples (from bore holes, hand-dug...
Ecological baseline survey of the Takoradi T2 expansion and a once-through cooling system project site, Aboadze, Ghana
July 2015
The Environmental Assessment Regulations (LI 1652) of Ghana mandates all bodies undertaking activities that may significantly impact the environment to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment. It is in accordance with this legal provision that an Ecological Baseline Survey was conducted at the Takoradi Thermal Power Plant (TTPP) site located 2 km East of Aboadze near Takoradi to determine the existing flora and fauna...
Water use efficiency of six rangeland grasses under varied soil moisture content levels in the arid Tana River County, Kenya
July 2015
This study evaluated water use efficiency (WUE) of six range grasses, namely; Chloris roxburghiana, Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, and Sorghum sudanense grown at 80, 50, 30% field capacity (FC) soil moisture contents and rainfed treatment which represented water deficit conditions. The changes in soil moisture content were measured by Gypsum Block which aided in...
Effects of river sediments on coral recruitment, algal abundance benthic community structure on Kenyan coral reefs
July 2015
The effects of sediment concentration and season on coral recruitment algal abundance and benthic community structure were studied in Kenyan coral reef lagoons to determine their potential influence on coral recovery. Nutrient levels and recruit numbers were higher during the southeast monsoon (SEM) than during the northeast monsoon (NEM) season and in sediment-exposed compared to non-sediment exposed reefs. Mean algal...
Nutritional, eco-physiological and symbiotic characteristics of rhizobia nodulating faba bean (Vicia faba L.) collected from acidic soils of Ethiopia
July 2015
Characterization of root nodule bacteria is used for selecting and using them as inoculants to improve legume production. To this end, faba bean (Vicia faba L.) rhizobia were isolated from nodules collected from acidic soils of Central and Southern-Western parts of Ethiopia. A total of hundred rhizobial isolates were collected and characterized based upon their nutritional, ecophysiological and symbiotic...
Microgasification cookstoves and pellet fuels from waste biomass: A cost and performance comparison with charcoal and natural gas in Tanzania
June 2015
Cooking with wood and wood charcoal is done by over 90% of Africa’s population; it has two major challenges: deforestation and indoor air pollution from cooking smoke, the latter being the top risk factor for disease in Tanzania. Microgasification stoves (top lit up draft [TLUD]) that burn pellets produced from agricultural waste have potential to address both of these issues. We examined the relative efficiency...
Comparative evaluation of clays from Abakaliki Formation with commercial bentonite clays for use as drilling mud
June 2015
The characteristics of clays from Abakaliki Formation, Southeastern Nigeria was evaluated to establish its suitability as drilling mud when compared with commercial bentonite such as Wyoming bentonite. The chemical, mineralogical and geotechnical properties were employed in assessing the suitability of Abakaliki clay as drilling mud. Mineralogically, the clays were all characterized as dominantly Illite as well as...
The extent of groundwater use for domestic and irrigation activities in Thiririka sub-catchment, Gatundu South District, Kiambu County, Kenya
June 2015
Population increase in Thiririka sub-catchment is causing high demand of water against limited supply. Currently, only 12,000 households out of 250,000 in the catchment have access to pipe water. Groundwater offers the one of the available options to the limited and irregular supply of pipe water. This study aims to find out the extent to which groundwater as alternative source of water for both domestic and irrigation...
Comparative evaluation of the concentrations of lead, cadmium and zinc in surficial sediments from two shallow tectonic freshwater lake basins, kenya
June 2015
Sources of metals in the environment are widespread and data on typical concentrations in the various media and environmental settings exits worldwide. Distribution and comparative concentrations of some selected metals in surface sediments of two shallow tectonic freshwater basins were assessed, as useful indicators of the level or magnitude of anthropogenic influences, as well as other aquatic processes, considering...
Protective role of lycopene and vitamin E against diazinon-induced biochemical changes in Oreochromis niloticus
June 2015
The aim of the present study was to evalute the protective role effect of lycopene and vitamin E on oxidative stress in Oreochromis niloticus exposed to diazinon (DZN). Adult fish were exposed to two sublethal concentrations (0.76 and 2.3 mg/l) of DZN against the ameliorative effect of lycopene (10 mg/kg) and vitamin E (50 mg/kg) for 14 and 28 days. DZN significantly led to a decline in total antioxidant capacity (TAO)....
Evaluation of some industrial effluents in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria
June 2015
Industrial effluents are generally discharged into receiving water bodies or disposed on land. These effluents are often used by the communities around for domestic activities like farming. Sometimes effluents gain access into wells or streams within the community. Analyses aimed to determine the strength of effluents of three different industries in Jos metropolis: industry A (a food industry), industry B (a...
Patterns and correlates of solid waste disposal practices in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania
June 2015
This study examines the patterns and correlations of solid waste disposal practices among households in urbanized and populated Dar es Salaam city in Tanzania. The Tanzanian Household Budget Survey (HBS) data covering many households' characteristics was used. Multinomial Logit (MNL) model was applied to examine the underlying correlates of choosing ways to dispose garbage. About 35% of the households used rubbish...
Evaluation of selected wetland plants for removal of chromium from tannery wastewater in constructed wetlands, Ethiopia
May 2015
Wastewater from leather processing industries is very complex and leads to water pollution if discharged untreated, especially due to its high organic loading and chromium content. In this study, the phytoremediation efficiency of selected wetland plant species in subsurface flow (SSF) constructed wetlands receiving tannery wastewater was investigated. Four pilot units were vegetated with Cyprus alternifolius, Typha...
Assessment of physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water at sources and household in Adama Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
May 2015
Water quality is a critical factor affecting human health and welfare. This study aimed at examining the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in Adama town. A total of 107 triplicate water samples were examined; 1 from inlet point (raw water), 1 from outlet (the water after treatment, 1 from reservoir (treated water stored), 52 from pipe water and 52 from systematically selected...
Assessment of microbiological quality of drinking water treated with chlorine in the Gwalior city of Madhya Pradesh, India
May 2015
The quality of drinking water at the point of delivery to the consumer is crucial in safeguarding consumer’s health. The current study was undertaken to assess the changes in residual chlorine content with distance in water distribution system in Gwalior city of Madhya Pradesh and assess its relation with the occurrence of total and faecal coliforms. Water samples were collected from the exit point of the...
Influence of lokpa cattle market wastes on agricultural soil quality
May 2015
This paper examined the influence of Lokpa cattle market waste on soil properties. Soil samples were collected from the Central, 3 and 6 m Northwards, Southwards, Eastwards and Westwards of Lokpa cattle market, Umuneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria at a depth of 0 to 25 cm (Sample A) and 26 to 50 cm (Sample B) from each spot while the control samples were collected from an unimpacted area devoid of...
Effect of gas recirculation intensity and various temperatures on hydrogenotrophic methanogens activity in chemostat fermentation using H2/CO2 as substrate
May 2015
The influence of mixing H2/CO2 gas recirculation on the performance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens activity in continuous culture was studied at 37 and 20°C. Chemostat fermentation was used at laboratory scale to determine the bioconversion rate of H2/CO2 mixture gas to methane under different mixing rates. On comparison with continuous mixing, intermittent mixing at 45 min/h provided a better methane production,...
The Niger Delta wetland ecosystem: What threatens it and why should we protect it?
May 2015
The Niger Delta wetland ecosystem is of high economic importance to the local dwellers and the nation in general. The region is rich in both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and serves as a main source of livelihood for rural dwellers as well as stabilizing the ecosystem. Tremendous changes have occurred recently in the Niger Delta wetlands due to anthropogenic activities, thus raising awareness on the need for...
Assessment of effluents discharged from textiles industries in selected villages in Kaduna State, Nigeria
May 2015
A major serious source of pollution is the industrial effluent discharge by the process industries into the water bodies. Industrial effluent consists of water with varieties of potentially harmful substances. The study analysed the public health effects of effluents discharged from Kaduna textile industry into the waters of river Kaduna. Physicochemical qualities of effluents at the downstream were assessed. Parameters...
Page 7 of 22, showing 50 records out of 1070 total, starting on record 301, ending on 350
Advertisement
Advertisement
