The Journal of Middle East and North Africa Sciences

Number 1, 2017

1-7
Influence of Environmental Pollution on Soil Types and Properties in The Niger Delta Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Authors: Bassey T. Udoh; Ebele D. Chukwu

Abstract

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A field soil survey and laboratory studies were carried out to examine the influence of crude oil and industrial wastes pollution on soil profile development and characteristics in Ikot Abasi, Niger Delta area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Nine soil profiles, three each, in oil affected site (OAS), industrial waste affected site (IWAS) and non-contaminated (control) site (NCS), respectively, were studied. Soil samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for some physical and chemical properties. The result of soil classification following the USDA Soil Taxonomy and correlated with the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) showed that all the three pedons from the control (NCS) were highly weathered and matured soils (Ultisols). Of the three pedons from the OAS, two (66.7%) were matured while one (33.3%) was young soil (Inceptisol/Cambisol). Similarly, of the three pedons from the IWAS, one (33.3%) was matured (Ultisols/Acrisols) while two pedons (66.7%) were young soils (Inceptisols/Cambisols). This indicates that environmental pollution can retard soil formation and profile development resulting in relatively young soils. Furthermore, analysis of variance (ANOVA), showed that soils of OAS were significantly (P< 0.05) different from those of IWAS and NCS in 12(52.2%) and seven (30.4%), respectively, of the 23 soil properties considered. Also, soils of IWAS were significantly different from those of the NCS in six (26.1%) of the soil properties. The result further showed that oil pollution significantly increased soil total hydrocarbon (THC) and lead (Pb) contents as well as organic matter content (OM), available phosphorous (P) exchangeable potassium (K), micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and lowered exchangeable acidity (EA). Industrial wastes also increased soil exchangeable calcium (Ca) and K and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and lowered EA. Therefore, appropriate remediation and land management practices can ameliorate the harmful effects of these pollution activities while the essential nutrients and positive influences imparted to the soil during the pollution are harnessed to improve the land/soil qualities and characteristics.

8-14
Influence of Cropping Systems on the Characteristics and Fertility of Beach Soils in The Niger Delta Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Authors: Bassey T. Udoh; Ekwere O. Ekwere

Abstract

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Number of views: 394

The influence of cropping systems on the characteristics and fertility of soils derived from beach sands was investigated. The study site was the Cross-River Basin farm, Onna Local Government, in the Niger Delta area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Two cropping systems- sole cropping (SC) and mixed cropping (MC) and fallow plot [FP] as control, were examined. Pineapple (Ananas commosus) plot and water melon (Citrullus lanatus) plot, represented SC. Plantain/cassava (Musa spp/Manihot esculenta) plot and water leaf/scent leaf (Talinum triangulare L./Ocimum grattissimum) plot represented MC. Representative soil samples were collected at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths from each plot for laboratory analysis. The result showed that irrespective of cropping system or soil depth, total nitrogen [N] and exchangeable potassium (K) were low – (values below critical levels: < 0.15% and < 0.20 cmol/kg, respectively). Available phosphorus (P) was medium 8 – 20 mg/kg) at both depths in the pineapple plot, and high (> 20mg/kg) at both depths in all others cropping systems. Organic matter (OM) was low (< 2%) in the plantain/cassava MC, and medium (2 – 3%) in other cropping systems, at 0 – 15 cm depth, but at 15 – 30 cm, OM was medium in water melon SC and plantain/cassava MC and low in other cropping systems. Exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K) and P were highly variable (coefficient of variation (CV), > 35%) within each cropping system. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed that, irrespective of soil depth there were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among the cropping systems in 11 (79%) of the 14 soil characteristics tested. In view of the deficiencies and variations in soil fertility, regular soil testing for proper fertilizer recommendations is essential to ensure balanced soil nutrient application. Also, well planned crop combinations and rotation programmes will ensure optimum and sustainable land productivity, improved ecological balance and environmental quality.

15-19
Radio Resource Management in Coexistence Scenario of LTE and Wi-Fi Over the Unlicensed Spectrums

Authors: Joydev Ghosh; Uttam Kr. Nandi

Abstract

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Number of views: 391

The development of wireless broadband access network (WBAN) leads to enhance the insufficiency of unoccupied radio resources. This is quite expected in coming times, wireless cellular technologies and wireless local area networks (WLANs) will work together in coexistence scenario within the alike unlicensed spectrums (USs). Although, two most emerging wireless networks, i.e., Long Term Evaluation (LTE) and Wi-Fi, are available to operate in separate bands, but not to operate in the coexisting scenario, particularly in unlicensed spectrum. Here, we review the challenges that occur as a result of the simultaneous functioning of LTE and Wi-Fi within the alike USs from the angle of radio resource management (RRM). We demonstrate that Wi-Fi can strongly affect by LTE transmissions; thus, the integrated LTE and Wi-Fi requires to be cautiously examined. We introduce few feasible coexistence operations and scopes in coming time which may result in the fruitful allied deployment of LTE and Wi-Fi within the alike USs.