Multivariate Analysis of Seasonal Variation in Groundwater Quality within Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria

This research work was aimed at analyzing the data of the seasonal variation of groundwater quality in the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) environment using descriptive statistics and a covariance matrix analysis of the data set for both rainy and dry seasons to see the effect of the water quality parameters on each other. Cluster analysis was also carried out on the data set to check the level of the Euclidean distance between the water quality parameters. The data used for this analysis was secondary data obtained from groundwater sources (ten wells) within the University environment during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. It was observed that there is a slight variation in the quality of groundwater in the FUNAAB environment as regards the dry season and the rainy season. In the result of the cluster analysis, the water quality parameters are clustered into seven groups for the dry season and eight groups for the rainy season which indicate that the dissimilarities in the data set increase during the rainy season. It was observed that for the dry season covariance data, 36% of the values have a negative relationship within themselves and 64% has a positive relationship, as compared to the rainy season data which possesses a 31% negative relationship and a 69% positive relation. This implies that there is only a 5% variation in the entire data set of the dry season and the raining season as regards the interdependence of the water quality parameters on each other. Keywords: Groundwater, Physico-Chemical, Water Quality, Well

ASSESSMENT OF EFFICIENCY OF COMPOST PREPARED FROM ANIMAL WASTE IN THE REDUCTION OF TOTAL PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON IN CRUDE OIL IMPACTED SOIL

The aim of this study was to investigate the potentials of composted animal waste in biodegradation of hydrocarbon in a cost-effective, efficient, and environmental-friendly manner. The contaminated soil sample was collected from Ojoo area in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Two different types of compost – sheep-waste-sawdust (SPW-SD) and goat-waste-sawdust (GTW-SD) were applied to a soil at a rate (0 g, 750 g, 450 g). The result depicted that the contaminated soil experienced an enhanced natural bioremediation due to the applied bioremediation agents and the contaminated soil treated with SPW-SD gave best results. Samples remediated with SPW-SD and GTW-SD showed a Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removal efficiency of 55.4% and 7.9% respectively. Analysis showed that oil type, compost rate and period of application influenced the bioremediation process. From the results, composted organic waste application is a good and efficient way of remediating hydrocarbon impacted soil

Evaluation of strength characteristics of fibre reinforced concrete: A case study of glass and sisal fibres

The strong performance of fibre reinforced concrete with the stepped introduction of glass and sisal fibre was evaluated. In this study, fibres as light reinforcements with varying percentages of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25 and 1.5 by weight of concrete were added to M15 grade concrete. The water/cement mix proportions ratio was 0.6. Control specimens, such as cubes were cast and tested at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively to determine the mechanical properties. Glass fibre resulted in the most workable mix as compared to the sisal fibre with the highest slump and compaction factor of 19.50 mm and 0.93 respectively on the addition of 0.25% fibre. The addition of glass and sisal fibres in plain concrete (control) up to 1% increases the strength of concrete while the addition of fibres content greater than 1% resulted in a reduction in the strength of concrete. The optimum glass and sisal fibre content was 1% with maximum compressive strength of 36.50 N/mm2 and 34.67 N/mm2 at 28 days respectively. The experimental study revealed that glass fibre was stronger than sisal fibre. Hence, the fibre content of 1% is recommended for use as light reinforcement in concrete

ASSESSMENT OF EFFICIENCY OF COMPOST PREPARED FROM ANIMAL WASTE IN THE REDUCTION OF TOTAL PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON IN CRUDE OIL IMPACTED SOIL

The aim of this study was to investigate the potentials of composted animal waste in biodegradation of hydrocarbon in a cost-effective, efficient, and environmental-friendly manner. The contaminated soil sample was collected from Ojoo area in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Two different types of compost – sheep-waste-sawdust (SPW-SD) and goat-waste-sawdust (GTW-SD) were applied to a soil at a rate (0 g, 750 g, 450 g). The result depicted that the contaminated soil experienced an enhanced natural bioremediation due to the applied bioremediation agents and the contaminated soil treated with SPW-SD gave best results. Samples remediated with SPW-SD and GTW-SD showed a Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removal efficiency of 55.4% and 7.9% respectively. Analysis showed that oil type, compost rate and period of application influenced the bioremediation process. From the results, composted organic waste application is a good and efficient way of remediating hydrocarbon impacted soil

Occupational skin disorders in a subset of Nigerian hairdressers

Introduction: hairdressing is associated with a wide range of disorders. This is particularly true in the African hairdresser, who is saddled with the responsibility of "taming" the rather difficult-to-manage African hair, and is thus exposed to a wide range of chemical, biological and physical materials in the hair grooming process. We therefore sought to determine the prevalence and pattern of occupational skin disorders among hairdressers in Ibadan, one of the oldest and largest cities in Nigeria. Methods: this was a cross sectional study of hairdressers conducted in 2013 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Hairdressers and their apprentices were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, following which a thorough physical examination was performed to identify any skin disorder. Results: a total of 226 hairstylists were recruited. The prevalence of occupational skin disorders in the study was 68.13%. The prevalence of specific skin disorders was 32.74% for nail disorders; 28.75% for traumatic skin disorders; and 2.64% for hand dermatitis. Conclusion: there is a high prevalence of occupational skin disorders among hairdressers, and this may have personal and public health implications

Epidemiology and clinical profile of vitiligo in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Vitiligo patients are seen routinely in the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. However, the epidemiologic and clinical profile of these patients is not documented. The aim of this study was to document the clinical (age of onset, location, severity, class of vitiligo) and sociodemographic characteristics of these patients.Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of patients treated for vitiligo from January 2005 to December 2009 at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan dermatology outpatient clinic. Patient records were retrieved and a study proforma was used to assess patient’s information. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results: Over the study period, 130 vitiligo patients seen but only 111 case notes were retrieved. The mean age at onset in children was 7.8±4.0 and 34.6±17.1 in adults, M:F was 1:1. The commonest type of vitiligo was acrofacial, area of onset was the face/scalp in 59.2%, re-pigmentation was reported in 66%, active lesions in 59.7%, severity of vitiligo was <9% in 90%, Vitiligo was in visible (exposed) parts of the body 84.7% and asymptomatic in 92.7%.Conclusions: The clinical profile of vitiligo in Ibadan, Nigeria is similar to that observed in other places with only females having a genital onset and acrofacial vitiligo being the dominant type seen. Also, treatment modality varies between children and adults

Community Based Study of the Influence of Social class on the Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Adolescent Facial Acne Vulgaris

Background: Facial acne vulgaris is the most common disease of the skin in adolescents. In Nigeria, studies of the prevalence of&nbsp; dolescent facial acne vulgaris, lesion type and distribution, and influence of social class on prevalence are few. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris, clinical characteristics, and the influence of social class on this prevalence. Methods: This was a community‑based cross‑sectional study. One thousand and seventy‑nine students from four secondary schools (two private and two public) were assessed. Students were clinically examined for facial acne vulgaris, and acne severity was graded. A structured questionnaire for sociodemographic variables was administered to the students. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: One thousand and seventy‑nine students were studied; 52% were male, and 47.9% were female. The students were aged 9–20 years with a mean age of 14 ± 2.1 years. The prevalence of facial acne vulgaris was found to be 53.2%. More females (56.7%) had acne than males (50%), the prevalence was found to increase from 28% in the 9–11 years age group to 71.1% in the 18–20 years age group and more prevalent in adolescents from the high social class (60.7%). The severity of acne was mild in 67.2%, moderate in 28.9%, and severe in 4.9%. Conclusion: Prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris increases with age, more prevalent in adolescents from a high social class. Male gender, age, a family history of acne, and previous treatment of acne contribute to the severity of acne. Keywords: Acne vulgaris, adolescent, clinical profile, prevalence, severity, social class&nbsp

Effect of Ammonium on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Kaolin and Bentonite as Clay Liners

: Landfill liners are underlying materials with low permeability whose main function is to mitigate the infiltration of toxic contents into ground water lying beneath. Landfill liners are primarily made of bentonite clay. Bentonite has a very low hydraulic conductivity, that might not be readily accessible, unlike kaolin which is found to have a lower hydraulic conductivity compared to that of bentonite and can be extensively obtained from numerous different sources. Explored, for the purposes of the present research paper, were various ratios of bentonite and kaolin and their hydraulic conductivity, in particular ratios of 90:10 kaolin to bentonite, 80:20 kaolin to bentonite, 70:30 kaolin to bentonite, 60:40 kaolin to bentonite and 50:50 kaolin to bentonite in an effort to achieve an acceptable barrier suitable as a liner / where tap water and ammonium solution were used as permeants. It was concluded that the ratios not lower than 20% bentonite (80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50) all had their hydraulic conductivity value reduced compared to the 100% kaolin

Pollution Studies on Ground Water Contamination: Water Quality of Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Changes in water levels in wells reflect changes in recharge to, and discharge from an aquifer. Generally groundwater is rain water or water from surface water bodies, like rivers, lakes or streams that permeate into the soil and bedrock and is stored underground in the pores spaces between soil particles. Groundwater pollution occurs when hazardous substances come into contact and dissolve in the water in the soil or on the surface. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to contamination and pollution when compared to surface water, naturally impurities in rainwater or surface water which replenishes groundwater systems, get removed while infiltrating through soil strata. In Nigeria, groundwater is used intensively for irrigation and domestic purposes, a variety of land and water-based human activities are causing pollution of this precious resource. Its over-exploitation is causing aquifer contamination in certain instances, while in certain others its unscientific development with insufficient knowledge of groundwater flow dynamic and geo-hydro-chemical processes has led to its mineralization. Adequate supply of safe and portable fresh water is an inevitable factor for socio economic development.  Although the recent global attention focuses on how the current and foreseeable water crisis and associated consequences would be addressed, quite a lot of factors such as  low level of education, insufficient budgetary funding, inefficient government policies,  drought are increasingly contributing to the pollution of domestic water in Nigeria. Keywords: Nigeria, Groundwater, Pollution, soil strata, Qualit