Potentially Exploitable Base-Metal Containing Bentonite Clay Minerals of Ibeshi-Ikorodu South-Western Nigeria for Oil Bleaching

The experiment has been undertaken to evaluate the bleaching capacity of Ibeshi Montmorillonite-Bentonite clay to be used on soya bean oils (edible oils). The clay capacity for bleaching was evaluated before and after acid activation processes. The acid-activated Bentonite was prepared from raw Bentonite with sulphuric acid of concentrations 6 M, 7 M, and 8 M; this is because availability of hydrogen is a competitor at ions exchange site. Acid activation promotes catalytic activities by increasing the number of active sites of the clay samples. The results from AAS, GC-MS analysis and the spectra of the raw clay indicated that the dominant components present were Al2O3, MgO, CaO, Na2O, and K2O together with Fe2O3, TiO2, MnO2 and P2O5. The ratio of Na2O:CaO is 0.24-0.30, a value less than one, indicative the presence of montmorillonite, and the SiO2 : Al2O3 between ratio of 1.12-1.50 greater than one. The optimum acid concentration for industrial bleaching is 6 M H2SO4. However, the exchange capacity was observed at pH 7. The work has shown that activated montmorillonite/Bentonite clay has other useful organic compounds such as organic complexes 2, 4-Nonadienal; up to 8% α-Tocopherol. Tests for bleaching performance evaluation confirmed that the clay has moderately bleaching action as shown by percentage colour reduction. The colour reduction for natural clay was 9.1%, this value increases to 27.3% after 8M H2SO4 activation. Other properties include the structural characteristics, free fatty acid value, viscosity were also recorded. The availability of Bentonite across Nigeria makes it a potential industrial mineral for the economy development.Keyword: Bentonite, clay, dominant, components, acid-activate

CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF A NIGERIAN CEMENT INDUSTRY ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The cement industry and its products are resources that have an impact on the landscape with dust and noise and disruption to biodiversity, sterilization of lakes and forests. There is also the reduction in populations of small invertebrates and decomposers, of agricultural yields, and extensive structural damage by corrosion from the factory. The industry may create employment and business opportunities in the area they are situated. The aim of the study is to identify the key issues of the environmental pollution and contaminants, the composition of the pollutants andcontaminants and hence their effect on living caused by this resource. This study was undertaken at the Lafarge Cement Factory at Ewekoro in South West Nigeria. Samples used in this study were collected at strategic points around the factory. The results from this study showed that the water samples of Ewekoro contained Pb, Zn, and Ni with values higher than the WHO standard values and as such we suggest that the water is not portable for drinking. It is suggested that trees must be planted around the factory to reduce the pollutants. Experimental values of Fe are below the WHO standard (0.300 mg/L) in plants and water samples (0.005 mg/L and 0.030 mg/L respectively) while the values are high in the rock(2.270 mg/L) and in soils (2.720 mg/L) samples. It has been suggested that Montmorillonite ore might be present in the study areas, so we believe that. Montmorillonite could probably be a contributor to the high iron content