Ecological perception of fish farmers in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria

The environment plays a keystone role as a hub for biotic and abiotic interaction. Ecological interactions (positive or negative) are reflection of the environmental status quo. Some human activities have grossly infringe on vital components of the ecosystem. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered to fish farmers in Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria and 80% were retrieved (55% male and 45% female). Furthermore, about 62.50 – 77.50% is with the opinion that temperature, flooding rate, precipitation and pollutants depositions have increased and wind pattern getting warmer, while 43.75 – 52.50% responded that there is change in spawning time, decrease in fish production and juvenile availability, extinction and presence of invasive species. The study confirm the need to adopt multifaceted approaches in sustaining our ecosystem in order to mitigate adverse effects as well as ensure the bioavalability of keystone species

Performance Evaluation of Some Potential Bionematicides on Leaf and Fruit Production of Capsicum annuum

Plant-derived pesticides has become a mainstay in the control of pest, due to the fact that synthetic pesticides induce environmental degradation. The effective control of plant nematode has been found to improve the yield and economic value of farm produce. Certain growth parameters are visible in diseased plant, these in turn affects the final output of the produce. The performance evaluation of some bionematicides were investigated with five plants (Azadirachta indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya. and Citrus sinensis) using Capsicum plant in a two trial sessions, within exposure periods of 30, 60 and 90-days, at different concentrations (20, 30 and 40g). The growth parameters monitored were numbers of leave and fruit produced. Results showed that, compared to the control, all treatments similarly demonstrated significant improvement in leaf and fruit production, with much more improvement in the second trial (p < 0.05). Thus the applied treatment significantly (p < 0.05), induced varying degrees of nematotoxicity resulting to improved leaf and fruit production of Capsicum annum (Pepper plant. Based on the findings of this research, we therefore conclude that all treatments (i.e. tested plant), demonstrated significant improvements in the development of Capsicum plant and as such can be recommended as Bionematicide

Estimation of potential chronic daily intake of heavy metal through consumption of potable water in South-south Nigeria

Industrialization and urbanization has increase the emission of pollutant into the environment; as such sensitive media subject to pollution (water, soil and air) has been infringed upon. Heavy metal is a potential pollutants found in Nigeria water sources. This study assessed the chronic daily intake (CDI) of heavy metal from potable water sources (surface and ground water) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Secondary data (literatures) were used for the study. The study found the concentration of heavy metals under study to be above the permissible limit recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CDI of heavy metal for both children and adults were high ranging from 0.57 to 1436.33 μg/kg·day (iron), 0.00 to 323.33 μg/kg·day (zinc), 0.00 to 37.14 μg/kg·day (cadmium), 0.00 to 29.67 μg/kg·day (chromium), 0.00 to 116.67 μg/kg·day (lead), 0.00 to 123.33 μg/kg·day (copper), 0.00 to 21.33 μg/kg·day (nickel) and 0.00 to 78.0 μg/kg·day (manganese). The CDI value indicates that the consumption of these water sources without treatment could cause disease conditions. Hence, the water requires treatment prior consumption

Physicochemical Quality of Treated and Untreated Borehole Water in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The suitability of water for human consumption is based on but not limited to its general physiochemical parameters. This study assessed the physicochemical quality of borehole (i.e. groundwater), in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA (KOLGA), Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Treated borehole water samples, as well as their respective untreated counterpart were randomly collected from domestic boreholes in KOLGA. The samples were similarly analyzed for some physicochemical parameters using standard analytical methods. Results showed that there was significant difference (P < 0.05), between treated and untreated water as well as amongst all monitored parameters. Generally lead, copper and mercury were not detected in any of the samples, while traced level of zinc, cadmium and chromium were only detected in some untreated samples.  Notwithstanding, after treatment arsenic and iron levels decreased from 0.011 - 0.135 in untreated water to 0.00 - 0.033 mg/l in treated water and 3.063 - 4.753 to 0.00 - 0.016 mg/l respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, pH increased from 4.313 - 5.786 in the untreated water to 6.180 - 6.636 in the treated water (P < 0.05). Based our findings we recommended that potable borehole water in KOLGA should be subjected to routine toxicity assessment prior to their consumption

Bionematicidal Potentials of Azadirachta indica (A. juss), Vernonia amygdalina (DEL), Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya. L. and Citrus sinensis on Meloidogyne incognita of Capsicum annuum, Var. Bell

Plant parasitic nematodes especially Meloidogyne species are linked to global reduction or loss in the yield of agricultural produce. If plant diseases are left unchecked, it could lead to food shortage. Synthetic nematicide could induce toxicity, environmental degradation and are expensive. Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are devastating as it affects many economically important agricultural crops globally. The bionematicidal potential of pepper plant nematode was investigated with five plants (Azadirachta indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya. and Citrus sinensis) in a two-phased trial, at concentrations of 20, 30 and 40g within exposure periods of 30, 60 and 90-days. Generally, Compared to the control, all bionematicides similarly showed significant nematotoxocity for both trials with significant difference (p < 0.05). Thus the degrees of nematotoxicity is reported as: A. indica > V. amygdalina > C. sinensis > C. papaya > M. esculentus. Based on the findings of this research, we therefore conclude that the tested plant demonstrated significant levels of nematotoxicity and can be so regarded as Bionematicides

Biomolluscicidal Activities of Some Solvent Extracts of Jatropha Curcas Leaves against Vectors of Schistosomiasis

Jatropha curcas has emerged as a mantra amongst bioactive therapeutic plants due to it multipurpose application, bioavalability and especially certain envisaged metabolites. Notwithstanding, some problems envisaged with chemotherapeutic intervention of schistosomiasis includes; ecotoxicity, mobidity abatement and vector proliferation. The biomolluscicidal Activities of solvent extracts (chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane) of the Leaves of J. curcas against Bulinus globosus and B. rholfsi in a 24-h static non-renewal test was assessed. Results indicated varying degrees of mortalities, the chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts against B. globosus had LC50 values of 25.00, 18.75, 41.63 and 37.40ppm respectively. Comparatively, the solvent extracts against B. rholfsi demonstrated a slightly higher LC50 values of 31.25, 25.00, 50.00 and 38.70ppm for chloroform, ethanol ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts respectively. While, the positive control induced mortality at 1ppm in less than 24h, the snails survived the negative control within the same period. These results showed that the above named solvent leaf extracts of J. curcas can be applied in the integrated management of schistosomiasis

A Review of Heavy Metal Concentration and Potential Health Implications of Beverages Consumed in Nigeria

Beverages are consumed in Nigeria irrespective of age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Beverages may be alcoholic (wine, spirits, and beers) or non-alcoholic (soft drink, energy drinks, candies, chocolates, milks). Notwithstanding, most beverages are packed in cans, bottles, and plastics. This paper reviews the concentration of heavy metals from some commercially-packaged beverages consumed in Nigeria. The study found that heavy metal concentrations, including iron, mercury, tin, antimony, cadmium, zinc, copper, chromium, lead, and manganese, seldom exceed the maximum contaminant level recommended by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as applicable to drinking water resources. The occurrence of heavy metals in the beverages could have resulted from the feedstocks and water used in their production. Consumption of beverages high in heavy metal could be toxic and cause adverse effect to human health, depending on the rate of exposure and accumulation dosage. This study concludes by suggesting that heavy metal concentration in the feedstocks and water should be monitored by producers, and its concentration in beverages should also be monitored by appropriate regulatory agencies