International Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology Research

124-129

Authors: Ihejirika CE1*, Nwachukwu MI4, Njoku-Tony RF1, Ihejirika OC2, Enwereuzoh UO1, Imo EO3, and Obenade M5

Disposal of industrial solid wastes in the environment is a major environmental challenge. This study investigated the effects of calcium carbide waste dumpsites on soil quality. Soil samples were collected with hand auger from three different dumpsites at varying depths and made into composite samples. Samples were subjected to standard analytical procedures. pH varied from 10.38 to 8.28, nitrate from 5.6mg/kg to 9.3mg/kg, phosphate from 8.8mg/kg to 12.3mg/kg, calcium carbide reduced from 10 to 3%. Calcium carbide was absent in control soil samples. Bacterial counts from dumpsites ranged from 1.8 x 105 - 2.5 x 105cfu/g while fungal ranged from 0.8 x 103 - 1.4 x 103cfu/g. Bacterial isolates included Pseudomonas spp, Flavobacterium spp, and Achromobacter spp, while fungal isolates include Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, and Rhizopus stolonifer. No organism was isolated from the dumpsites at soil depth of 0-15 cm, while there were isolates from other soil depths. Toxicity might be due to alkaline condition of the dumpsite. Calcium carbide might be bactericidal and fungicidal leading to cellular physiology, growth retardation, death, general loss of biodiversity and reduction of ecosystem processes. Detoxification of calcium carbide waste before disposal on soil might be the best option in management. Keywords: Calcium carbide waste, Soil health, Denitrification, Toxicity, Biodiversity, Ecosystem processes.

136-142

Authors: 1*R.K. SRIVASTAVA, 1KALPANA SAGAR, GUFRAN BEIG2

The ambient air quality monitoring network involves measurement of a number of air pollutants. A variety of methods exist to measure particulate matter in air. This study evaluates the effects of particulate air pollution associated short-term exposure of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in Diwali festival. Fireworks display during festive celebrations can cause acute short term air pollution. Concentration of air pollutants such as PM10 and PM2.5 was monitored for six consecutive days during Diwali in, a densely populated residential area near, Jabalpur, India for assessing the impacts of fireworks on ambient air quality. The study was conducted for two consecutive years i.e. 2012 and 2013. The result shows that air quality deteriorates during Diwali festival is due to the use of excessive amount of firecrackers. A comparative account of two years air quality data is also presented. Keyword: Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5), Air Quality, Meteorological Parameter, firework comparison of air quality, Diwali festival, ozone.

108-118

Authors: Jasbir Kaur Taak and K.P. Singh

Hydrochemical investigations of Sukhna wetland and adjoining ground water regime have been carried out. Total thirty two samples were collected including surface and ground water samples both from the study area and were analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, hardness, calcium, sodium, potassium, alkalinity (in terms of carbonates and bicarbonates), chloride, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate and silica. All the parameters were found well within the desirable and permissible limits of BIS (1991) and WHO (2006). The different irrigation parameters i.e. percent sodium, SAR, RSC, Magnesium ratio and Corrosivity ratio were calculated and further interpretation shows that the surface and ground water of Sukhna wetland and nearby areas is good for irrigation purpose. Ca2+- Mg2+- CO32- - HCO3- is the dominant hydrochemical facies in the water chemistry of study area, which is identified through piper diagram. The water quality of Sukhna wetland and its adjoining ground water regime is almost similar and it is fit for the agricultural, industrial and domestic use. Keywords: Hydrochemical, surface water, groundwater, irrigation, Sukhna wetland.

81-89

Authors: Osei Akoto, Nesta Bortey-Sam, Shouta M.M. Nakayama, Yoshinori Ikenaka, Elvis Baidoo, Yared Beyene Yohannes, Hazuki Mizukawa, Mayumi Ishizuka

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of metals in some organs of goat and sheep and assess the distribution of these metals in the sample tissues. Samples were digested with 60% nitric acid and concentrations of the heavy metals measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer while the concentrations of Hg were measured with mercury analyzer. Concentrations of Zn, Cu were very high in the organs followed by Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Cd, As and Hg. Total rank score assessment showed that liver, kidney and lung had accumulated high levels of metals while brain accumulated lowest. Mean Zn concentrations in all organs ranged between 24.88±11.22 in goat brain and 97.06±19.66 mg/kg in liver of goat. Mean Cu concentrations ranged between 7.96±1.20 (small intestine of sheep) and 106.63±111.24 mg/kg in liver of sheep. Cd concentration in liver and kidney in both species were above the EU set limit of 0.05 mg/kg. Concentrations of Co in liver, kidney and lungs of the two different animals did not vary significantly. As and Hg concentration were homogenous in all the organs of both animals and did not show any significant variation. Prolonged consumption of kidney, liver and lungs of goats and sheep having high concentrations of Zn Cu and Cd may lead to accumulation of these metals in humans and cause metal toxicity. Keywords: Goat and sheep, Heavy metals, Mining, Obuasi, Total rank score.

43-54

Authors: Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Prashant R. Thawale and Asha Ashok Juwarkar

Mine spoil dump generated due to mining activities poses drastic physico-chemical and biological constraints for sustainable vegetation. The various environmental problems that are associated with mining activities are deforestation, removal of fertile topsoil, unstable slopes prone to sliding and erosion, siltation of water bodies due to wash off of mineral overburden dumps, air pollution due to discharge of dust and noise pollution. Microbe Assisted Phytoremediation Technology (MAPT) has been developed for sustainable restoration of coal mine spoil dump. Results indicated that the application of MAPT had improved up to 3-5 folds the physico-chemical and microbiological properties of the coal mine soil dump. The inoculation of biofertlizers significantly increased the different microbial groups such as Azotobacter, Rhizobium and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) spores, which were practically absent in the coal mine spoil dump. The toxicity of the heavy metals present in the spoil was also reduced to a large extent. Thus, MAPT is an excellent tool for fast restoration of coal mine spoil dump that provides better supportive material for anchorage and growth of the plants leading to the development of sustainable eco-system, carbon sinks, and mitigating the various environmental hazards and improving the environmental health of the nearby contaminated sites. Keywords: Coal mine spoil, Azotobacter, VAM, Environmental restoration.

64-80

Authors: Jacob Nyende, Modreck G and van Tonder G

Hydrogeochemical investigations were carried out with the aim of assessing the geochemical water composition and processes governing groundwater hydrochemistry in Alluvial Aquifer of the Modder River catchment in Southern Africa and the granitic fractured Aquifer of Pallisa District in eastern Uganda. This was based on chemical analyses of water samples from existing wells and new boreholes in the two study areas. From the analyses, there were significant variations in the quality composition of groundwater. The calculated SAR, Na% and RSC values indicated that the water is of good quality and is suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes except for a few locations. Na and HCO3 are dominant with respect to the chemical composition of the groundwater. Detailed studies of the hydrogeochemical processes in the alluvial and granitic aquifer systems also shown that dissolution of silicate weathering, dolomite and calcite minerals, ion exchanges as well as anthropogenic influence in a lesser extent are the dominant hydrogeochemical processes that control groundwater quality. The increase in salinity is related to the dissolution of minerals in the host rocks and the evaporative concentration of solutes. Keywords: Hydrogeochemistry, Granitic fractured, Alluvial channel aquifer, WISH, PHREEQC model, Pallisa District, Modder River catchment.

11-23

Authors: Alani, Rose, Alo, Babajide and Ukoakonam, Friday

Intense pollution pressures are exerted on Ogun River, especially at Kara abattoir, by human activities. This river serves as a source of drinking water for the cattle waiting to be slaughtered. It is equally used for domestic activities by the residents along its bank. On daily basis, huge quantities of meat products are transported into Lagos and surrounding states for consumption from the Kara abattoir. The consumption of the meat products from the abattoir could pose a great health risk to all consumers. Uptake and accumulation of toxic heavy metals by aquatic organisms from water and sediment are possible. The physic-chemical parameters as well as the heavy metal contents of water and sediments from Ogun River at Kara were assessed. Sample digestion was carried out using concentrated nitric acid and the extracts analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The physic-chemical parameters revealed a high pollution of the river. Water analysis revealed that Cd (0.009 to 0.016mg/L), Cr (1.286mg/L), Fe (0.428 to 2.486mg/L) and Pb (0.109 to 0.109mg/L) exceeded WHO limits. Sediment analysis revealed that Cu (1.51 to 7.04mg/Kg), Zn (4.51 to 43.44mg/Kg), Fe (65.78mg/Kg) and Pb (15.12mg/Kg) exceeded FME limits. Keywords: Abattoir, Ogun River, Heavy metals, Physico-chemical parameters, Water, Sediment, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Risk assessment.

36-42

Authors: Ebiwari WOKEKORO, Mfrekemfon P. INYANG

Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State is one of the fastest growing urban centers in Nigeria. The result of this growth is the development of informal settlements along the water-fronts. These settlements lack amenities such as toilets, waste collection points, roads, and water supply. This paper aims at examining the health implications of households and human waste disposal systems in these neighbourhoods. Two informal settlements were studied namely; Marine Base Waterfront and Afikpo waterfront. The study utilized both secondary and primary data. Primary data was collected using the administration of a household questionnaire, to a probability sample of 192 respondents, drawn from the 2 neighbourhoods. Data analysis was based on responses from 191 questionnaires retrieved and the univariate analytical method was adopted. The study found, that human and household wastes are disposed on the roads, drains, and creeks, which create odour and water pollution problems. The study also revealed inadequacy of water supply in these neighbourhoods. The authors recommended that to improve health and environmental sanitation, adequate planning is necessary for the regular collection and disposal of waste in these neighbourhoods. This cannot be done by the government alones but public-private partnership should be encouraged to achieve this goal. Keywords: Waste disposal, waste collection, informal settlements, human waste, household waste, health.