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

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

Laboratory scale bioremediation of crude oil impacted soil using animal waste compost

This study investigated various ways by which the rate of biodegradation of hydrocarbons {ex-situ treatment} can be enhanced in an efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. To achieve this, bioremediation processes were applied to a crude oil impacted soil. Tests were conducted to evaluate the biodegradation effect of the oil on the soil e.g. effect on density, electrical conductivity, etc. The percentage of organic matter and carbon was evaluated in order to determine the organic carbon interaction with the contaminated soil sample. The effect of contamination on the geotechnical properties of the contaminated soil was also evaluated using compaction test. Two types of compost - sheep waste compost and crude oil (SCRO), and goat waste compost and crude oil (GCRO) - with an application rate of {0g, 350g and 550g} were applied in the treatment. The results showed that all bioremediation agents applied enhanced the natural bioremediation of the contaminated soil and the most preferred results were obtained when treatments were done using SCRO compost. This study revealed that the remediation process was influenced by application period, type of oil, and compost rate

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

Characterisation of activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents in water treatment

This study is an investigation into the characterization of commercial activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents for water treatment. The ground rice husk and waste sawdust collected, were sieved to obtain a nominal size of 1mm, washed and oven-dried for 12hours. The two materials were pyrolysized in a furnace for 30minutes, and the chars produced were later air-dried. The three charcoals (sawdust charcoal, rice husk charcoal, and the activated charcoal purchased from the market) were all subjected to X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis in order to characterize the filter materials. The SEM analysis showed that the three materials developed more pores, which is a property of an adsorbent. Likewise, the XRF and EDX analyses confirm that all the three adsorbents possess larger proportion of Silica, Carbon and Oxygen

Analysis of auto-purification response of the Apies River, Gauteng, South Africa, to treated wastewater effluent

The assimilative capacity of water bodies is an important factor in the integrated management of  surface water resources. The current study examined the auto-recovery processes of the Apies River from wastewater discharged into it from a municipal wastewater treatment facility, using a series of equations, including the modified Streeter-Phelps equation. Field data obtained include dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, stream velocity, depth, and width. Water samples were also obtained at 10 sampling stations for the determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) using standard methods. It was observed that the DO and BOD level (5.59 mg/L and 8.5 mg/L respectively) of the effluent from the wastewater treatment facility indicated better water quality than the Apies River background DO level (5.42 mg/L) and BOD level (13 mg/L). Also, at 270 m downstream of the effluent discharge point, another effluent stream (Skinnerspruit) adversely impacted on the Apies River with DO and BOD levels of 6.5 mg/L and 9.0 mg/L, respectively, compared to the Apies River background values of 6.81 mg/L and 8.0 mg/L, respectively. The stream, however, recovered well from both the background and imposed pollution sources as it had a computed positive auto-recovery factor of 1.74. Furthermore, the measured DO deficit was plotted against predicted DO deficit. The plot revealed a close match between the measured and predicted DO deficit, indicating that the model could be used for predicting DO deficit along other segments of the river. To further improve on the natural  auto-recovery processes of the Apies River, it was recommended that flow along the Skinnerspruit should be enhanced by clearing the observed aquatic plants growing within the channel. Also,  suspected pollution activities taking place further upstream on the Apies River should be investigated and appropriately addressed.Keywords: de-oxygenation; re-aeration; auto-purification; dissolved oxygen; biochemical oxygen  demand; strea

Significance of clean water for sustainable good health in Nigeria

The significance of the impact of water-related diseases on human health has been recognized as a major threat to sustainable human development in some international forums. This study is an investigation into the correlation between unclean water and the outbreak of water-related diseases in Nigeria. It was established from the review of previous researches that the concept of clean water and sanitation is critical to the good health and well-being of all individuals. Nigeria still has a long way to go towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal number 6 (SDG 6) of the United Nations, hence it is high time government at all levels and individuals embraced Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda 2030

Characterisation of activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents in water treatment

This study is an investigation into the characterization of commercial activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents for water treatment. The ground rice husk and waste sawdust collected, were sieved to obtain a nominal size of 1mm, washed and oven-dried for 12hours. The two materials were pyrolysized in a furnace for 30minutes, and the chars produced were later air-dried. The three charcoals (sawdust charcoal, rice husk charcoal, and the activated charcoal purchased from the market) were all subjected to X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis in order to characterize the filter materials. The SEM analysis showed that the three materials developed more pores, which is a property of an adsorbent. Likewise, the XRF and EDX analyses confirm that all the three adsorbents possess larger proportion of Silica, Carbon and Oxygen

Estimation of Water Requirements of Selected Field Crops in South- West and South- East Nigeria

Estimation of crop water requirement of some selected field crops was carried out based on twenty-one years and ten years meteorological data at Abeokuta and Umudike respectively. These crops include as maize, pepper and tomato. Reference evapotranspiration was calculated using BlaneyCriddle model for Abeokuta and Penman Model for Umudike. The result obtained showed that the seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETcrop) for maize, pepper and tomato were 378.33, 558.51 and 505.92mm/month in Abeokuta and 353.13, 130.97, and 464.82mm/month in Umudike. Effective rainfall (ER) was lower than the water requirement in the months of May and June for maize cultivation in Abeokuta, similarly, effective rainfall was lower that the water requirement in the months of March, April, May and August for pepper in Abeokuta. This indicates that supplemental irrigation was needed during these months. Irrigation water requirement (IR) was 11.73mm for soils of Umudike. The study also established that pepper and maize could be grown conveniently during their growing season without supplemental irrigation in Umudike. However, the sufficient water availability for crops in Umudike during their growing season will produce good yields and good quality crops compared to Abeokuta

Significance of clean water for sustainable good health in Nigeria

The significance of the impact of water-related diseases on human health has been recognized as a major threat to sustainable human development in some international forums. This study is an investigation into the correlation between unclean water and the outbreak of water-related diseases in Nigeria. It was established from the review of previous researches that the concept of clean water and sanitation is critical to the good health and well-being of all individuals. Nigeria still has a long way to go towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal number 6 (SDG 6) of the United Nations, hence it is high time government at all levels and individuals embraced Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda 2030