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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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)....
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...
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...
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 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...
Accessibility and utilization of mobile phones for governance of water resources in the Lake Victoria Basin: Constraints and opportunities in Tanzania
May 2015
Mobile phones are the world’s fastest growing technologies in terms of coverage and adoption. This trend makes them a desirable information and communication technology (ICT) platform for addressing the striking challenges of water resources governance at all levels. Some of remarkable challenges in Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) that have negative impact on the water resources are rapid population growth, unfavorable...
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,...
Gumbel Weibull distribution function for Sahel precipitation modeling and predicting: Case of Mali
May 2015
Climate change, trend of precipitation variation is greatly affected by Sahel countries economy in general and Mali in particular, which increased the social instability in recent years. In this paper, we proposed Gumbel Weibull distribution function for modeling and predicting the precipitation of Mali. The methodology is composed of two steps: parameters computations and estimations. We computed the parameters using...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Local blacksmiths’s activity in the west region of Cameroon and their contribution to the development of micro hydroelectric power plants in that region
May 2015
As a result of the nature of pollutant and exhaustible of fossils energies, developed countries have made use of renewable energy sources to make effective their energy systems. To stow on that vision in Cameroon, the promotion of micro-hydroelectric powers plants (MHPP) is a priority and any contribution to its ease is beneficial. The objective of this study is to characterize some main forges in the west region of...
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...
Reinventing new systems of crop production in time of agro-ecological change in Burkina Faso
May 2015
During the last decade, great floods, destructive winds, desertification and grain shortages in Burkina Faso have spotlighted agro-ecological change as a crucial challenge for achieving sustainable development in eastern part of the country especially in the Gourma region. In fact, the new agro-ecological order has reshaped and transformed geographical representations, land tenure and norms and techniques of crops...
Characterization of biosurfactant produced from submerged fermentation of fruits bagasse of yellow cashew (Anacardium occidentale) using Pseudomonas aeruginosa
May 2015
Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compounds produced by bacteria and fungi to reduce surface and interfacial tension. This work was designed to produce biosurfactants from the fermentation of submerge cashew bagasse (Anacardium occidentale) using a microorganism Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The proximate components of the biosurfactant was determined. Results show that yellow cashew fruit bagasse contains lipid (11.34 ±...
Challenges of adoption of urine-diversion dry toilets technology as sanitation option by coastal communities of Mkuranga District in Tanzania
May 2015
Mkuranga District council in collaboration with African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) introduced ecological sanitation option using urine-diversion dry toilets (UDDT) to the community between 2007 and 2009, which was later declared unsuccessful. This study analyzed factors that hindered the uptake of UDDT by the community by assessing the project implementation strategy. Techniques used for the study were...
Prospects of using whole rice husk for the production of dense and hollow bricks
May 2015
One of the main reasons for the continued increase in the deficit of affordable housing in Nigeria is the high cost of brick made from sand and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Finding a replacement for cement to assure sustainability is crucial as the raw materials used in making cements which are naturally occurring are depleting. Rice husk was milled and sieved to reduce the size to 0.020 mm. The moisture content of...
Lead uptake of water plants in water stream at Kiteezi landfill site, Kampala (Uganda)
May 2015
The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to quantify the lead (Pb) uptake by two water plants reeds (Phragmites australis) and papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) in water stream at Kiteezi landfill site, Kampala (Uganda) and (ii) to compare the two species in Pb uptake downstream. As such, leachate samples were collected at the inlet and outlet of the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) at Kiteezi landfill site. A total of 6...
The benefits of the use of biogas energy in rural areas in Ethiopia: A case study from the Amhara National Regional State, Fogera District
April 2015
This study was conducted to assess socio-economic and environmental benefits of biogas energy and its challenges. The study used descriptive type of research design consisting of quantitative and qualitative research approach. The data collection instruments were household survey, key informants interview and self-observation to collect quantitative and qualitative data types. The study revealed that the biogas...
A simple anaerobic system for onsite treatment of domestic wastewater
April 2015
The use of anaerobic process for domestic wastewater treatment would achieve lower carbon footprint as it eliminates aeration and generate methane. Among several anaerobic treatment processes, high rate anaerobic digesters receive great attention due to its high loading capacity and chemical oxygen demand removal rate. Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) is getting wide acceptance among several anaerobic...
Effects of different NaCl Concentrations on germination and seedling growth of Amaranthus hybridus and Celosia argentea
April 2015
Salinity refers to the salt content of any given system. By nature, arid soils are naturally saline. Soils could also acquire salinity due to some agricultural practices like irrigation. There is need therefore for search on halophytes that could adapt to such soils and be used to reclaim soils contaminated with salts. Thus, this present study focused on investigating Amaranthus hybridus and Celosia argentea with...
Potential carbon credit and community expectations towards viability of REDD project in Ugalla- Masito ecosystem: A case of Ilagala and Karago villages, KigomaTanzania
April 2015
The paper presents results of the potential carbon credit and community expectations towards viability of REDD+ projects in Ugalla- Masito ecosystem using a case of Ilagala and Karago villages whereby REDD+ is being piloted. Various data collection methods were employed and these included focused group discussion, interview, structured questionnaires and document analysis. Results of the study indicate that, there are...
Diffusion coefficients of Grewia spp. biopolymers in water
April 2015
Diffusion coefficients of biopolymers extracted from Grewia spp. barks in water were studied under various physicochemical conditions. Extractions were carried out on barks of 3 cm in length at different pH (5-9), temperature (25-50°C) and ionic strength (10-3-10-2M), using CaCl2 and NaCl as background electrolytes. Factorial experimental plan design was used and diffusion coefficients were determined using second...
Urban water pollution by heavy metals and health implication in Onitsha, Nigeria
April 2015
Studies of common heavy metals were conducted at Onitsha, Anambra State, the most urbanized city in Southeastern Nigeria. It was discovered that both surface and subsurface water were heavily polluted. Seven (7) heavy metals namely: arsenic (As+2), cadmium (Cd+2), lead (Pb+2), mercury (Hg+2), zinc (Zn+2), copper (Cu+2) and iron (Fe+2) were studied. Their major sources include wastes like refuse dumps, effluent from...
Climate variation based on temperature and solar radiation data over a 29 year period in Lilongwe City, Malawi
April 2015
Economies that mainly depend on agriculture are to a large extent being negatively impacted by climate change. In this study, temperature and solar radiation data from Chitedze Weather Station, Lilongwe City, Malawi for a 29-year period (1985 to 2013) were assessed for the possibility of climate variation. In addition, the concentration of carbon dioxide over Malawi within the same period as temperature and solar...
Trace metals in intertidal sediment of mangrove-sheltered creeks in Niger Delta, Nigeria: Variability before and after crude oil spillage
April 2015
Trace metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) fluxes were studied in five intertidal flats at Bodo Creek, Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria in 2006, and re-evaluated in 2010 following two major oil spills that occurred in the creek. This study is the first to look at trace metal loads in the interstitial sediments of Bodo creek. Standard methods were employed in the sampling campaign and analysis. The concentration of all metals under study...
The effects of heavy metals concentration on some commercial fish in Ogun River, Opeji, Ogun State, Nigeria
April 2015
A study was conducted on commercially important fish species of heavy metals in water bodies. The primary objectives were to find out the amount of heavy metals concentration in the fish species, sediments and water samples at the deep and shallow part of the river, to determine the toxicity and relationship between the collected samples and the rate at which it pollutes the water. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer...
Study of the physico-chemical conditions and evaluation of the changes in eutrophication-related problems in El- Mex Bay
April 2015
El- Mex Bay is a relatively large coastal embayment west of Alexandria. The bay is an important fishery ground as well as recreation area. It includes both the Western Harbor and Dekhaila Harbor. It is one of heavily polluted areas on the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, receiving huge amount of agricultural, industrial, and sewage wastes from the adjacent Lake Mariut through El- Umoum Drain. According to different...
Thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption of volatile n-alkane hydrocarbons on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) root biomass: Effect of organic solvent and mineral acid treatment
March 2015
The use of lignocellulosic fibres as biosorbents has both environmental and economic benefits. They are biodegradable, safe to use and most importantly renewable and less costly than synthetic fibres. The objectives of the present work were to study the performance of lignocellulosic fibres from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), a pervasive fresh water aquatic weed widely distributed in the tropics, as a biosorbent...
Modeling Jambo wastewater treatment system to predict water re-use options
March 2015
The harmful nature of chemicals used in the tannery industries and the disposal of wastes from facilities is well documented. In this study, Jambo tannery which is located in Busia District, (Uganda) with a daily processing capacity of 6.6 tonnes of hides and skin utilises 20 m3 of water to produce 17 m3 of wastewater/day. The generated wastewater is treated on site in the wastewater treatment plant whose performance...
Diversity, composition and abundance of macroinvertebrates associated with water hyacinth mats in Lake Victoria, Kenya
March 2015
This study is set to investigate the macroinvertebrate community structure within water hyacinth in the Kenyan waters of Lake Victoria. This is helpful in determining the relationship between water hyacinth and macroinvertebrates. A total of four replicates were taken from 18 sampling stations within the lake using a Ponar grab and a 500 µm scoop net. The samples were washed through a 300 µm sieve and sorted...
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