Evaluation of Asa River Water in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria for Available Pollutants and their Effects on Mitosis and Chromosomes Morphology in Allium cepa Cells

T: This study evaluated water samples from Asa River in Kwara state, Nigeria, for cytogenotoxicity at 25.0 %, 50.0 %, 100.0 % following the Allium cepa assay. Onions were grown in the water samples for microscopic and macroscopic screenings. Heavy metals and volatile organic pollutants in the water were elucidated using AAS and GCMS techniques. The Water samples except the sample ‘C’ induced higher mitotic index (MI) than the negative control. Root growth was significantly promoted at 25.0 %, and significantly reduced at 50.0 % and 100.0 % of the sample ‘C’ and 100.0 % of the sample ‘A’. Water sample ‘A’ (100.0%) induced highest percentage chromosomal aberrations (CA) while the water samples ‘B’ and ‘C’ induced higher percentage CA than the negative control. Cadmium was detected at a concentration higher than its permissible limit in drinking water. Poly aromatic hydrocarbons, Aromatic amines, Acridine dye, Phenolic and Polychlorinated compounds were detected in the water sample. The observed proliferative, inhibitory, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the water samples on A. cepa cells suggest that Asa river was polluted, having potential to adversely affect humans, animals and plants utilizing it along its course. Keywords: Allium cepa; Asa River; cytogenotoxicity; Nigeria; pollutant

Genotoxicity Screening of Industrial Effluents using Onion bulbs ( Allium cepa L.)

The potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of three industrial wastewaters (brewery, rubber and bottling) in Benin metropolis using the Allium cepa test were investigated. A series of five small onion bulbs were cultivated in 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10% of the wastewaters (v/v) and after 48 hours, one root tip from each bulb was harvested and processed for cytological studies by the aceto-orcein squash technique. At 72h, their cytotoxic effects on the root tips showed strong growth retardation in high concentrations of all the wastewaters. Compared to the control, treatment with the wastewaters resulted in root growth inhibition with EC50 values of 35, 50 and 62% for bottling, rubber and brewery effluents respectively, and decrease in mitotic index with increasing concentration for all samples and these were statistically significant (p<0.05). Chromosomal aberrations induced in the onion root tip cells were mostly sticky chromosomes and bridges. Chromosomes with disturbed spindles and fragments were also present in appreciable amounts. Based on the EC50 values, the bottling wastewater was most toxic, followed by rubber effluent while effluents from the brewery were least toxic. The findings in this study indicate that there are toxic chemicals present in the wastewaters which are responsible for the observed genotoxic effects on the onion root tip cells. The study also reveals that the Allium test is a useful and reliable tool for the genotoxicity screening of industrial effluents which could be employed by environmental managers before these effluents are finally discharged into the environment

Frequency of twinning in southwest Nigeria

Background: In the human species, twin is a type of multiple birth in which the mother gives birth to two offspring from the same pregnancy. The occurrence and frequency of twinning, however, varies across human populations. The maternal age, socio-environmental factors, increase in the use of contraceptives, the race of human population, increase in the spontaneous abortion rate, and seasonal variations are among the factors that could influence twinning rate. Information on twinning rates in southwest Nigeria is limited. Aims : This study presents information on the frequency of twinning, as well as its analysis by maternal age, in four urban settings in southwest Nigeria. This is with the aim of extending current knowledge on the frequency of twinning in southwest Nigeria and contributing to the demographic studies in the country. Materials and Methods: Data on single births and twin births from January 1995 to December 2004 were collected from the Oyo State General Hospital (OSGH), Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), and Ekiti State Specialist Hospital (ESSH) in Ogbomoso, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, and Ado-Ekiti respectively. These were analyzed by year and maternal age groups of 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, and 45-49 years according to the standard method. Results: A frequency of twin births of 46.5 per 1000 deliveries and 46.2 per 1000 deliveries was recorded for Ilesa and Ile-Ife respectively. The frequency recorded for Ogbomoso and Ado-Ekiti was 38.5 and 22.1 per 1000 deliveries respectively. The overall average frequency of 40.2 per 1000 deliveries for the four hospitals ranks among the highest recorded rates of twin births in the world. The maternal age group of 25-29 years had the highest occurrence of twin births, while the lowest was recorded in the 45-49 years age group. Conclusion: This analysis reveals high incidence of twinning in the studied areas and supports previous assertion that the southwestern part of Nigeria has the highest twinning rate in the country and in the whole world. It is our opinion that diet, maternal history of twinning, and some socio-environmental factors may have influenced the results

Polluted Alamuyo River: Impacts on surrounding wells, microbial attributes and toxic effects on Allium cepa root cells

The physicochemical analysis and microbial load of polluted Alamuyo River in Ibadan, Nigeria and selected wells along its course were evaluated. Toxic effects of water samples obtained from upstream(A) and down stream (F) of the river were also evaluated using Allium cepa root assay. The result of the analysis revealed that the water sample contained toxic substances. However, almost all parametersevaluated were within the allowable limit of treated wastewater. High microbial load was observed in river water samples compared to the well water samples throughout the sampling periods with overall highest value observed at Late Rainy Season upstream water sample (LRS-A). MPN of faecal coliform showed that LDS-A, ERS-F and LRS from A – F were significantly different. Echerichia coli, Bacillus substillis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas fragii were among the microbes observed in the samples. T-test analysis on A. cepa root length showed that only 50% of LDS-A, LDS-F and LRS-A were significantly different from control (P < 0.05) though there were reduction in root length in allconcentrations tested through out the sampling period except 5% ERSA, 10% ERSF and 10% LRSF. Microscopic evaluation of A. cepa cells showed decreasing number of dividing cells and mitotic indiceswere not dose dependent in most cases. Chromosome fragments, bridge, lag and disturbed spindle were the aberrations observed in this study. Our result showed that water samples from the rivercontained toxic substances and high microbial load, which have effects on the surrounding wells due to infiltration

MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION DOSE IN SELECTED CEMENT STORES IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, USING GM SURVEY METER

Measurements were carried out using a Geiger Muller Survey Meter and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to find&nbsp; the outdoor absorbed dose rates in selected cement stores in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The outdoor&nbsp; absorbed dose rates&nbsp; (control sites 10m away from cement depot) ranged from 400 nGy/hr) (Sapon) to 740 nGy/hr (Adatan) with the mean 554.7 ± 0.08 nGy/hr&nbsp; and the indoor absorbed dose rate (store) ranged from 740 nGy/hr&nbsp; (Lafenwa1&amp;2) to 1240 nGy/hr (Isale-Ake) with the mean 909.3 ± 16 nGy/hr. The corresponding annual effective dose rates for the control sites ranged from 1.13 mSv/yr (sapon) to 2.09 mSv/yr (Adatan) with the mean 1.57 ± 0.32 &nbsp;mSv/yr, while it ranged from 2.45 mSv/yr (Lafenwa1&amp;2) to 4.11 mSv/yr (Isale ake) for the cement depots&nbsp; with the mean 3.01 ± 0.52 mSv/yr. It has been revealed from this study that cement may enhance exposure to radiation, since the value of the absorbed dose rates in the stores are higher than thoseof the control sites. The values for the annual effective dose calculated are higher than 1mSv/yr. &nbsp

ABSORBED DOSE RATES ABOVE SOILS AND ROCK OUTCROPS IN SELECTED AREAS OF ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Outdoor absorbed dose rates were measured in selected areas of Abeokuta in Nigeria; some with rock outcrops and others with soil overburden. Measurements were carried out using a Geiger Muller Survey Meter and a Global Positioning System (GPS). Result shows absorbed dose rates ranged from 1.0 x 103 to 1.3 x 103 nGy/hr among the rock outcrop areas and from 0.6 x 103 to 0.8 x 103 nGy/hr among the soil -covered areas. The average absorbed dose rate was 1180 ±3 nGy/hr for the rock outcrop areas and 689 ±3 nGy/hr for the soil -covered areas and assuming 0.4 occupancy factor, the corresponding average annual effective dose rates were calculated to be 2.89 ± 0.01 mSv/yr for the rock outcrop areas and 1.69 ± 0.01 mSv/yr for the soil –covered areas based on occupancy factor of 0.4. The mean annual effective dose rates for both the rock outcrop and soil covered areas were&nbsp; found to be higher than 1mSv/yr, the recommended dose limit for the public. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp

Evaluation of Asa River Water in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria for Available Pollutants and their Effects on Mitosis and Chromosomes Morphology in Allium cepa Cells

This study evaluated water samples from Asa River in Kwara state, Nigeria, for cytogenotoxicity at 25.0 %, 50.0 %, 100.0 % following the Allium cepa assay. Onions were grown in the water samples for microscopic and macroscopic screenings. Heavy metals and volatile organic pollutants in the water were elucidated using AAS and GCMS techniques. The Water samples except the sample \u2018C\u2019 induced higher mitotic index (MI) than the negative control. Root growth was significantly promoted at 25.0 %, and significantly reduced at 50.0 % and 100.0 % of the sample \u2018C\u2019 and 100.0 % of the sample \u2018A\u2019. Water sample \u2018A\u2019 (100.0%) induced highest percentage chromosomal aberrations (CA) while the water samples \u2018B\u2019 and \u2018C\u2019 induced higher percentage CA than the negative control. Cadmium was detected at a concentration higher than its permissible limit in drinking water. Poly aromatic hydrocarbons, Aromatic amines, Acridine dye, Phenolic and Polychlorinated compounds were detected in the water sample. The observed proliferative, inhibitory, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the water samples on A. cepa cells suggest that Asa river was polluted, having potential to adversely affect humans, animals and plants utilizing it along its course

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROOT BISECTION COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ROOTS OF NON-LINEAR EQUATIONS USING JAVA

Advancement in programming and language development has made possible improved efficiency and accuracy in solving numerical problems and hence the numerical computation of physical problems as used in Computational Physics. Hitherto, languages such as Basic, Fortran, C, among others, have commonly been employed in solving numerical problems. In this work, Java, a modern object oriented language was deployed in solving some physical problems, specifically, determination of roots of non-linear equations using the Root-Bisection Method. A comparison between results obtained showed faster convergence and greater accuracy using Java than as obtained using Fortran. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp

GEOELECTRIC PARAMETERS AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE TOP SOIL OF CAMP AREA, ABEOKUTA, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and elemental composition surveys were carried out at twenty-two (22) sites atª¤? Camp Area, Alabata Road, Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria. This was with a view to determining depth to water«¤??bearing zones and extent of soil contamination thereby saving residents not just the pain of recurrent losses incurred for investing in dry wells, but also not to invest in contaminated waters. The study area is underlain by associated rock suites which includes pegmatite and quartz veins. Field data obtained was modeled and interpreted to obtain the geophysical parameters of the area and delineate the groundwater potential zones. Soil samples were also collected at the 22 VES points, at depths of 10 cm and 100 cm; the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) equipment was used to obtain the geographical position of each sample point. Determination of the elemental composition of soil samples collected at the 10 cm and 100 cm depths was made using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Two heavy metals (Pb, and Cr), five major elements (K, Ca, N, P and Mg) and five trace elements (Zn, Mn, Cu, Al and Fe) were detected. It was observed that the values, representing the amount of the heavy metals, the major elements, and the trace elements were far less, mostly insignificant, at the 100 cm depth representing about the interface between the first and second layers in majority of the VES stations sampled, than at the 10 cm depth, representing the topsoil of the first layer. The implication of this is that the elements are not strictly domiciled within the area studied but may be due to runoffs as the area slopes down. Moreover, going by the values at the 100 cm depth, the elements may not be capable of percolating into the underground water zones in the area of study, and thus might not have contaminated the underground water. Thus, at the current level, the underground water can be adjudged safe for human consumption.ª¤

Investigation and Comparison of Heat Generated by Coloured Metallic Plates in Response to the Emissive and Absobtion Power of the Surfaces of the Coloured Plate

A colour test was carried out to determine the rates of absorption and emission of infrared radiation by coloured hollowed metallic plates which result in increase in temprature of the holllowed plates at maximum radiation of 750 Wm-2 at Abeokuta 7.198305 and Longitude 3.439533 during the month of March 2013. Five hollow metallic plates of different paint colours (black, green, red, blue and white) were exposed to sunlight simultaneously and the temperature generated in each plate was recorded using a data logger. A wooden box that was divided into five cavities was constructed and lagged with wood shavings to provide insulation and the five coloured hollowed metallic plates of dimension d=4h were inserted in it. The choice dimension d=4h is to minimise shading of the inside of the plate (d is the diameter of each of the plates and h is the height) the top of the plates were covered with a 5 mm thick glass. The top cover plates were securely laid tightly to both the wooden box and the tip of the plates to prevent heat loss to the surrounding and also from crossing from one plate to another.  This arraignment is similar to that of a flat plate collector and calorimeter experiment. The centre of each of the plate was connected to five probes of a data logger and the temperature of changes inside the plates are logged and recorded