Assessment of water and sediment around a lead-acid battery plant dumpsites in South-Western Nigeria

In a quick assessment carried out around dumpsites of a battery manufacturing plant, heavy metals content of sediment, surface water and ground water samples from seven ponds, three streams and a well were assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Some physicochemical parameters of the samples were also investigated. Metal concentration in pond and stream sediment samples ranged from 25.71-75,843 μg/gPb, 0.74-4.13 μg/gCd, 32.35-385.31 μg/gCu, 3.17-28.5 μg/gNi, 558.25-908.42 μg/gFe and 10.01-53.59 μg/gZn and these metal concentrations exceeded allowable guidelines for sediment by USEPA. For water samples in general, concentration of metals ranged as Pb(0.001-5.69 mg/L), Cd(0.0006-0.0699 mg/L), Cu(0.001-0.09 mg/L), Ni(0.001-0.38 mg/L), Fe(0.0399-17.099 mg/L) and Zn(0.001-0.14891 mg/L). Physicochemical parameters in water were pH (4.54-7.59), Temperature (25-28 OC), DO (2.49-6.45 mg/L), TS (296-35,100 mg/L), TSS (2.0-281 mg/L), TDS (290-34,800 mg/L), Cl- (12.2-52.5 mg/L), NO3- (3.2-800 mg/L), PO43- (0.14-1.58 mg/L) and SO42- (76.0-5,300 mg/L). Results obtained for TSS, TDS, NO3-, SO42-, Pb, Cd and Fe in water, especially in ponds at Ile-Igbon and Ni in Aweere Stream, exceeded limits set by standard organisations as well as results from similar work

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE - Efficiency of crude oil degradation and peroxidase production by indigenous bacteria isolated from Ogoni land, River State, Nigeria

Detrimental impacts of crude oil spills on life below water require urgent intervention. With the emergence of microbial remediation technology as a viable strategy for clean-up of oil spill, low degradation efficiency by many bacteria remains a major challenge. Exploring new bacterial isolates with improved crude oil degradation efficiency is therefore crucial. In this study, bacterial isolates from crude oil contaminated site in Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria were screened for ability to grow on crude oil and glucose (control) as sole carbon sources. Three isolates exhibited higher growth on crude oil based medium (COBM) than on glucose based medium, and were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing as Bacillus cereus and Paenibacillus alvei strains 1 and 2. They were further investigated for their growth kinetics, degradation efficiency and total peroxidase production on varying concentrations of crude oil (30, 50 and 75 g/L) at 30°C and 180 rpm for 288 h. Results revealed exponential decline in residual crude oil during the logarithmic growth phase of the three bacteria. Total peroxidase activity increased as crude oil degradation progressed. Highest enzyme yields of 1.79 U/mg, 1.39 U/mg and 1.69 U/mg were recorded from B. cereus, P. alvei strain 1 and P. alvei strain 2, respectively at 240 h of cultivation in 50 g/L COBM with degradation efficiency of 87.52%, 90.90% and 84.95%. Remarkably, these bacteria showed ≥ 80% crude oil degradation efficiency at the peak of peroxidase production which suggests that the enzyme played significant role in crude oil degradation by the bacterial isolates

Biosurfactant quality generated from fungi using agro-wastes (maize husk, rice husk, and augarcane bagasse)

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compound that contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties produced extracellularly by microorganism on cell surface or excreted extracellularly thereby reducing surface and interfacial tension between molecules at the surface and interface, respectively. This study was aimed on the isolation and identification of biosurfactant producing fungi; the production of biosurfactants from the identified fungi in a submerged fermentation using sugarcane bagasse, rice husk and maize husk as carbon sources and the evaluation of quality of biosurfactants generated. The biosurfactant production was assayed for 21 days with constant agitation for at most four times daily in an incubator (300C). The emulsification ability of the biosurfactant produced was analyzed on two hydrocarbons: diesel and kerosene. In diesel, the emulsification index (EI) showed highest in biosurfactant produced by Aspergillus niger in Rice Husk (BAR) after 72 hours (E72) (80.30±0.30%) and lowest in biosurfactant produced by Fusarum oxysporum in sugarcane bagasse after 24 hours (E24) (BFS) (33.43±0.10%). In kerosene, the highest emulsification index was observed in biosurfactant produced by Fusarum oxysporum in Maize Husk (BFM) E72 (94.25±0.25%) and lowest in biosurfactant produced by Fusarum oxysporum in sugarcane bagasse (BFS) E48 (52.53±0.10%). Therefore, comparing the biosurfactants produced by Fusarum oxysporum and Aspergillus niger, Fusarum oxysporum exhibited more emulsification ability than Aspergillus niger. The result of EI showed that Maize Husk and Rice Husk are good substrates for biosurfactant production while Fusarum oxysporum is the better biosurfactant producing fungi. In comparing the hydrocarbons, more emulsion was noticed in diesel than kerosene. The result of oil spreading assay with spent engine oil showed that biosurfactants produced by Fusarum oxysporum grown on Rice Husk had the highest area of displacement (13.88±0.01cm2) while biosurfactant produced by Aspergillus niger grown on Sugarcane Bagasse showed the least area of displacement (4.91±0.00cm2). The carbon sources used in this work are good for the production of biosurfactant. Upscaling of the process will yield biosurfactants applicable in industries

REVIEW PAPER: Mobile Hybrid Data Barges–Role of the Navy in Cloud Computing and Internet Access

The Nigerian Navy faces significant challenges due to low budgetary allocations in comparison to advanced naval organizations across the globe. The occurrence of COVID–19 pandemic is also envisaged to result in significant budget cuts thereby affecting the navy’s ability to meet its goals. This challenge can be addressed by transforming the role of the Nigerian Navy. The discussion in this paper identifies the roles that the Nigerian Navy can play in enabling the emergence of a new era in information and communications technology via the use of maritime resources for the support of computing. In addition, the paper recognizes the revenue earning potential and the leading role available to the Nigerian economy as a technology developer and enabler in the context of the blue economy

In vitro antioxidant activity‐guided fractionation of Daucus carota L. seed extract

Daucus carota Linn (carrot) seeds are medicinally useful in the management of diseases including diabetes mellitus. The present study investigates the in vitro antioxidant activities and phytochemical constituents of several fractions from aqueous seed extract of Daucus carota. D. carota seeds (78.8g) were pulverized and dissolved in 400 mL of distilled water for 24 hours. The crude extract obtained (16.4g, 20.8% yield) was partitioned in water/ethyl acetate (3:1) to yield ethyl acetate fraction (6.2g, 37.8% yield) and aqueous ethyl acetate fraction (7.6g, 46.3% yield) which was subjected to column chromatography. Thirteen (13) fractions obtained were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activities and screened for phytochemical constituents. The fractions exhibited in vitro antioxidant activities at 2 – 20 μg/mL with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities (IC50 = 1.38 - 22.96 μg/mL), total antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 1.17 - 3.13 μg/mL) and nitric oxide scavenging activities (IC50 = 3.20 - 20.72 μg/mL). Fractions 4 – 8 expressed promising in vitro hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) antioxidant activities with IC50 comparable with that of ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene. The phytochemical screening of fractions 4 – 8 revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics, which could be responsible for the antioxidant activities. The results suggest that fractions obtained from Daucus carota L. seed extracts possess significant antioxidant potential

GUEST EDITORIAL - SDG 14 - life below water: trend and trajectory in Nigeria

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 is focused on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. Specifically, target 14.1 is aimed at preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds in particular from land-based sources including marine debris and nutrient pollution. Aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria are diverse including freshwaters, brackish and coastal waters as well as marine ecosystems. They support a diversity of animal species which serve as food for man and support ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, these ecosystems provide significant services to man including transport, abstraction of water for domestic and industrial use, power generation, reservoir of hydrocarbon deposits which has been the backbone of the Nigerian economy for over five (5) decades (Akinlo et al., 2012), food security, among others. However, the pollution of these ecosystems has been reported by many researchers over the years and remains the subject of studies to date. Aquatic ecosystems such as those in the Niger Delta, Lagos lagoon, Ogun River, River Onne, Calabar River, among others have been reported to have been subjected to various anthropogenic influences from point and diffuse sources with consequent adverse impacts on water quality, aquatic biota, other wildlife, livestock and even humans (Sogbanmu et al., 2016; Ubiogoro and Adeyemo, 2017; Ibor et al., 2017, Adeyemo et al., 2019)

Notes from the Editor in Chief

Early in 2020, the editorial board of the Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science resolved to dedicate themed editions and its regular editions to fielding research results and innovations that address the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially within the context of the sub-Saharan African region. It is against this background that this special edition of the journal focuses on addressing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, with the theme “life under water”. The edition features seven original research articles, one review article, and an editorial that elucidate various aspects of this theme, with the idea to galvanize further actions and research for achieving this specific goal in the African region

REVIEW PAPER: Collaboration of Industry with Academia: The Engine of Industrialisation and Development

This paper examined and illuminated with examples the ways and means of creating the environment for science and technology research to flourish. It underpins the creation of virile industrial production base as the trigger for research to plume; and consequently, prescribes the key to a sustainable research funding and mutually benefiting collaboration and symbiotic partnership between the industry and academia.It is shown, using comparative analysis, that a sine qua non for the creation of sustainable industrial base is urgent completion of Ajaokuta, NIOMCO, ALUMCO and making other metals, iron, steel and machine tools companies functional; as this generates spinoff industries, promotes beneficiation of local raw materials, expands manufacturing companies in magnitude and number; thereby create wealth to fund government budget and hence, research. It is further established that having correct policies, institutional and governmental, which include pertinent tax regime with rebate rights; and getting every company of specified grade to have a Research Unit locally in the country, provides needed framework for research and collaboration. It is also noted the effect in reducing cost and saving forex for infrastructures (e.g. rail lines, power, dams, etc.); as such, freeing money to fund intensive research, education, health and municipal services. Hence, unleash the benefits accruable to Industry, Academia, citizens; and the consequence on human development index (HDI) and the country at large.It is concluded, that the issue with Nigeria is not dearth of proficient researchers to do quality cutting-edge research, but lack of environment, wherewithal: industrial production base, policy, legal framework, weak political will and discipline to drive any policy. Ways to obviate these barriers to engender research and collaboration with industry beyond the usual concept of local content are elucidated in the paper

EDITORIAL - Effects of New Biological Threats on Health Security and Safety in Nigeria: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Over the past decades, several old and new infectious diseases have featured as major contributors to Nigeria’s health vulnerability, with evidence indicating that sufficient gains are yet to be made in tackling their dominance.Since the colonial and post-colonial periods, Nigeria has witnessed several episodes of serious biological threats from small pox, yellow fever, poliomyelitis, rabies, measles, plaque and several others – and it took years of sustained efforts to reduce their prevalence. Indeed, over the succeeding years, infectious diseases such as dengue fever, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, leishmaniosis, buruli ulcer, leprosy, dracunculiasis (guinea worm) and Chagas disease became so dominant and sustained within the African region that for lack of a better definition, they have been collectively referred to as “neglected tropical diseases” (NTD) (WHO, 2010). NTD became a dominant lexicon for describing about 20 diseases that had been “neglected” within international programmatic focus and the fact that they affect the world’s largest communities and individuals. To date, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) estimates that NTDs affect about one billion persons worldwide, with the majority being residents in sub-Saharan African countries and other low-income countries around the world. Despite the continued expansion of the spheres of these infections, very limited progress has yet been made in restraining the health and social impact of the NTDs, especially in low and middle-income countries

EDITORIAL: Philanthropy and the Development of Science in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the most complex challenges requiring rigorous scientific enquiries. Two such challenges, health and agriculture, are critical to the region’s economic and social development. In the last four decades, the region has experienced diseases and epidemics that have ravaged countries and significantly impaired their social, political and cultural fabrics. Four disease examples are relevant here: malaria, Ebola, HIV/AIDS and, most recently, COVID-19. The region is also faced with a food security crisis, with 234 million people chronically undernourished, more than 50 million children under the age of five being stunted, and over 14 million wasting (World Bank, 2018, World Vision, 2021). Agricultural development, particularly through crop improvement, is urgently needed