Geoelectric investigation of the suitability of a proposed foldot ventures potable water factory site, Ipinsa, near Akure, southwestern Nigeria

This study is aim at determining the suitability of sitting a potable water factory within Chief Akin Omosebi layout off Ipinsa-Ilara road, near Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria by evaluating the groundwater potential, the aquifer overlying layer protective capacity and the foundation beds competence of the area. A total of twenty (20) vertical electrical soundings (VES) data were  acquired along five (5) traverses using Schlumberger array with maximum half-current electrode separation of 150 m. Three curve types were delineated in the area (K, KH and KQ). The VES  results delineated three to four geoelectric layers across the study  area. The resistivity of the top soil, lateritic weathered layer, clayey sand weathered layer and weathered bedrock/fresh bedrock varies from 187 - 1212, 682 - 4164, 219 - 1157 and 77 - 3525 ohm-m respectively. This study reveals that the area is  characterized by high groundwater potential and competent subsurface layers that can serve as foundation bed, but the aquifer layer must be well protected from pollution since the overlying layer(s) longitudinal conductance is less than 1.0 mhos which  indicates that the underlying aquifer unit(s) are vulnerable to surface pollution.Keywords: Groundwater potential, aquifer overlying layer,  protective capacity, longitudinal conductance and foundation beds competence

Antimicrobial Activities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Garlic (Allium Sativum) Against Selected Pathogenic Organisms

Garlic and ginger samples were collected and their bio active components were determined using standard methods. Bio active components of ginger were found to include Saponins, Glycosides, Akaloids, Flavonoids, Tannis, Terpernoides while garlic tested positive to only Cardiac glycosides. Pseudomonas aueroginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus were the test organisms. Antimicrobial activities were tested on Klebsiella pnuemoniae, Staphyloccus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa using Antibiotic sensitivity disc and zone of clearance was highest with Ciprofloxacin but resistant with Meropenem and Cefuroxime sodium respectively. Kirby- Baucer method disc diffusion method was used to test the effectiveness of extracts against selected pathogenic bacteria. Pseudomonas aueroginosa was susceptible to various dilutions (10-1 – 10-7) of extracts of ginger and ethanol (51 – 15mm) but more susceptible to extracts of garlic and ethanol (59 – 22mm) and resistant to some dilutions of extracts of garlic and ginger in combination (18 – 0mm). Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to garlic and ethanolic extracts (44 – 19mm), more susceptible to extracts of ginger and garlic in ethanol (51 – 19mm) but resistant to some dilutions of aqueous and ethanolic ginger extracts. Klebsiella pneumonia was resistant to both aqueous and ethanolic extracts at various dilutions singly and in combination. It is however susceptible to the extracts at 10-1 dilutions except in ginger warm aqueous extract and garlic cold aqueous extract where it is resistant. The study therefore prove the potency of ginger and garlic in treatment of certain pathogenic bacteria infections. Keywords: Pathogenic, garlic, ginger, extracts, zone of clearance. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-24-01 Publication date: December 31st 2022

Delineation of Saline Water Intrusion Lateral Extent Using Hydro-chemically and Geo-electrically Derived CRS - Model Parameters - A Case Study of Eastern Dahomey Basin, Nigeria

This study was another attempt to map the subsurface lateral extent of saline water intrusions into aquifers at the eastern part of Dahomey basin, Nigeria. The study comprised geo-electric sounding method consisting of 108 vertical electrical soundings (VES) data acquired using Schlumberger array technique and hydro-chemical analysis of 61 water samples. The geoelectric survey results were presented as average longitudinal Conductance and average longitudinal Resistivity maps. The longitudinal conductance values vary from moderate to high (20 - 180 mhos) in the coastal areas, while lower values (lesser than 10 mhos) were recorded in the mainlands. Conversely the average longitudinal resistivity values were low to moderate (0.26 - 41.7 ohm-m) in the coastal areas and in few places such as Agbabu, Legbogbo and Sabomi in the mainland, while higher values (more than 60 ohm-m) were obtained from the mainlands. The hydro-chemical analysis results was presented as equivalent Salinity map; its values range from 25.8 mg/l (Ode-Irele) to 2808 mg/l (Asisa), high values were obtained from Ugbo, Ugbonla, Odonla, Idogun and Ayetoro area in the southeastern part of the study area and likewise at Agbabu in the north central part of the study area. The results were synthesized using CRS-model. The final CRS-model map showed that the saline water intrusion extended to 35 % of the total area which covers; most part of the coastal area and Agbabu in the mainland.Keywords: Saline water intrusion, saline-freshwater boundary, vertical electrical sounding (VES), hydrochemical analysis, synthesis and CRS-model

Response of African Giant Snail (Archachatina Marginata) in Captivity to Deifferent Feed Items

Thirty six (36) one-week old hatchling of giant snail were randomly selected and grouped into 4 batches on the basis of body weight. Each group was fed in captivity with either of the following feed items: water leaf, cocoyam leaf, potato leaf or compound feed (24.43% crude protein). Diets were fed ad libitum for 20 weeks. The result showed that snails raised on compounded feed had the highest body weight gain which was not significantly different (P>0.05) from those fed cocoyam and water leaves. Snail fed potato leaf had significantly lowest (P>0.05) body weight gain. Mean flesh weight of snails fed compounded diets and cocoyam leaf were 158±5.31 and 153± 4.04g respectively, these were significantly different(P>0.05) from those fed water leaf (148± 1.00g) and sweet potato leaf (139±1.10g). It was concluded that African giant snail can be raised successfully in captivity on cocoyam without any adversely response. Keywords: Giant Land Snail, Cocoyam, Potato leaf, water leaf, compounded feed, captive rearing

Geophysical Investigation of Impact of Geologic Structures on Preferred Percolating Paths of an Oil-based Leachate within a Migmatite-Gneiss Environment: A Case study of Federal University of Technology, Akure Campus (Nigeria)

The study was aimed at determining the lateral and vertical flow of an oil-based leachate within the Migmatite-Gneiss environment with time and to delineate the presence of possible bedrock structures that can enhance the leachate movement. The method of study adopted combines the use of VLF-EM profiling, Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey (Dipole-dipole) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES). The surveys were carried out at four times with regular interval of four-week. A particular point along a feeder road within the Federal University of Technology, Akure campus was polluted with used black engine oil. The location was left to settle for two weeks before the first round of survey involving the above mentioned methods was carried out. The results show that the oil-based leachate percolated towards the south which is an uphill direction. Each successive results showed a gradual progression of the leachate in different directions; laterally and vertically. At the fourteenth week, which is the fourth round of survey the leachate was observed to have percolated down to the depth of about 10-15 m, which is rather too fast for a leachate moving according to normal gravity flow. This indicated that probably geologic structures; perhaps faults, fracture and void could be present at the subsurface beneath the polluted point. The VES result presented as geoelectric section confirms this speculation as the bedrock layer beneath VES 1, 2 and 3 have resistivity values that range between 230 and 347 ohm-m. The integrated geophysical method adopted for this study successfully helps in delineating the oil-based leachate flow direction, extent and preferred paths. Keywords: Electrical resistivity tomography, vertical electrical sounding, oil-based leachate, bedrock structures and bedrock fracture

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of fluted pumpkin (Telfairiaoccidentalis Hook F.) seed residue fed to African catfish (Clariasgariepinus) at graded inclusion levels

The chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of fluted pumpkin seed residue fed to African catfish (Clariasgariepinus) at graded inclusion levels was carried out in order to evaluate its effect on the growth performance and nutrient utilization of the catfish. Five diets containing 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% inclusion levels of fluted pumpkin seed residue (FPSR) as partial replacement for groundnut cake were prepared and fed to the fishes for eight weeks. Each treatment had three replicates with 15 fish per replicate (mean initial weight 140.87 ± 8.77g) in 30-litre plastic tanks and fish fed at 3% of body weight twice daily. Fish on control diet showed the best growth and nutrient utilization while diets with defatted fluted pumpkin seeds cake produced weight reduction in the fish with the least reduction on diet 2 (15% inclusion) and greatest on diet 4 (45% inclusion). The specific growth rate, feed conversion ratios and protein intake of the control fish were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on FPSR-containing diets. Histopathological reports showed some damage to the liver of fish in higher FPSR-containing rations, torn gill tissues and changes of intestinal structure. Haematological parameters like haemoglobin, erythrocyte, sedimentation rate and biochemical parameters were within the ranges for healthy fish though reduced from pre-treatment values

Antibacterial Activity of Some Herbal Extracts for the Treatment of Typhoid Fever Sold in Okitipupa Town, Ondo State, Nigeria

  The study investigated and compared the antimicrobial potency of aqueous (cold and hot) and ethanolic extracts of six plant parts used as herbal mixture against clinical isolate of Salmonella typhi in Okitipupa town. Extracts from six plant parts used as herbal mixture were tested for antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi isolated from patients suffering from typhoid fever. The antibacterial activities of each of the extracts (ethanolic, cold and hot waters) were determined using agar diffusion method and the activities produced zone of inhibition ranging from 20mm-34mm. Ethanolic extract was found to be more potent being capable of exerting significant inhibitory activity on the test organism investigated with an inhibition zone of 34mm followed by the cold-water extract (28mm) while hot water extract gave the least (20mm). The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, glucosinolates and triterpenes in the extracts but total absence of proteins. The study confirms the medicinal value of herbal mixtures and justifies the claim of its local use in health remedies for typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi. There is the need therefore to develop effective combination of antimicrobial agents in purified form from higher plants and their parts for clinical trials

Geo-spatial Classification of Vulnerability Zones using Lithological, Elevation and Geoelectric Parameters in a Typical Basement Complex Environment

Lithology, elevation and four (4) geoelectric parameters were utilized in assessing the groundwater vulnerability at northwestern part of Akure, southwestern Nigeria. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique of electrical resistivity method was adopted for this work. A total of 224 VES data was acquired and interpreted both qualitatively and quantitatively. Three to five geo-electric layers were delineated across the area which corresponds to four geologic layers. The resistivity of the layers varies respectively from 6.9 - 550 Ohm-m, 60 - 2500 Ohm-m, 20 - 650 Ohm-m and 220 - 7900 Ohm-m in the topsoil, weathered layer, partially weathered basement/partially fractured basement and presumed fresh basement. Likewise, the layer thicknesses also vary respectively from 0.4 - 4.0 m, 0.7 - 19.0 m and 4.0 -60 m in the topsoil, weathered layer and partially weathered basement/partially fractured basement. The results were presented as topsoil (resistivity and thickness) and weathered layer (resistivity and thickness) maps. The six parameters consisting of lithology, elevation, topsoil (resistivity and thickness) and weathered layer (resistivity and thickness) were synthesized using an additive model in order to generate the aquifer vulnerability model map. The aquifer vulnerability model map shows that the area is of very low to moderate vulnerability with 5% of the area having very low vulnerability, 30% low vulnerability and 65% moderate vulnerability. This implies that the groundwater resources in the area are moderately safe.</jats:p