May 2014

Land degradation in Northern Nigeria: The impacts and implications of human-related and climatic factors

Northern Nigeria despite its promising agricultural potential, is currently not enjoying economic bloom like its Southern counterpart as a result of political, religious, ethnic and socio-economic factors. The degradation of land and its resulting impact on other agricultural resources may have further exacerbated the economic and social conditions of the region. The perceived encroachment of Nigeria’s Savannah...

Author(s): B. M. Macaulay

May 2014

The comparative insecticidal and residual efficacy of sniper and alpha cypermethrin in the control of Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) infestation

Blattella germanica (German cockroach) is an urban insect pest in Nigeria due to an increase in strains that are resistant to the commonly used insecticides. The purpose of this study was to determine which of the insecticides used by pest control professionals are still effective. The insecticidal efficacies of dichlorvos (organophosphate-called sniper©) and alpha cypermethrin (a pyrethroid called alpha action...

Author(s): K. A. Kemabonta and Amadi, G.

May 2014

Variations in abiotic conditions of water quality of River Osun, Osun State, Nigeria

Seasonal variations in physicochemical properties of the surface water of River Osun in Osogbo, Nigeria, were investigated from May to August 2012 and November to February, 2012/2013. The water body of the mentioned river received water and wastes from the other effluences. Physicochemical parameters were determined in triplicate at three different points of the river, across the two seasons of the year. The points were...

Author(s): Farombi, A. G., Adebayo, O. R., Olagunju E. O. and Oyekanmi A. M.

May 2014

The next generation feedstock of biofuel: Jatropha or Chlorella as assessed by their life-cycle inventories

Promising energy crops such as Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (JCL), which are planted on marginal lands, or microalgae such as Chlorella, which are cultivated in ponds located on mudflats or deserts, have been regarded with high hopes to solve the shortage of food crops and increase the amount of biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME) production. However, the annual yields of biomass and transport fuels (t/ha) of both are...

Author(s): Pu Peng and Wenguang Zhou

May 2014

Assessment of the energy recovery potentials of solid waste generated in Akosombo, Ghana

The main attributes of waste as a fuel are water content, calorific value, and burnable content. The study was conducted to evaluate the energy recovery potential of solid waste generated in Akosombo. A total of twelve (12) samples were collected from the township in December, 2012 (dry month) and May, 2013 (Wet month). Samples were weighed and segregated into organic and inorganic components. The organic component was...

Author(s): Kuleape, R., Cobbina, S. J., Dampare, S. B., Duwiejuah, A. B., Amoako, E. E. and Asare, W.

May 2014

Assessment of pond effluent effect on water quality of the Asuofia Stream, Ghana

The study was done to assess the effects of potential pond effluent on the physico-chemical parameters of the receiving streams. Forty two (42) samples were collected from five ponds, upstream and downstream stations of the receiving stream for a period of six months. In situ measurement was conducted for physical parameters using a portable multi-parameter water quality meter (HANNA, HI9828). Samples were collected and...

Author(s): Amankwaah, D., Cobbina, S. J., Tiwaa, Y. A., Bakobie, N. and Millicent, E. A. B.