Acute toxicity of the chloroacetanilide herbicide butachlor and its effects on the behavior of the freshwater fish Tilapia zillii

Acute toxicity of butachlor, a chloroacetanilide herbicide (2-chloro-N-[2, 6-diethylphenyl] acetamide) to Tilapia zillii, was studied in a semi static bioassay. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC50 values (with 95% confidence limits) estimated by probit analysis were 3.13 (2.88 to 4.61), 1.93 (0.63 to 4.41), 1.27 (0.59 to 1.92) and 1.25 (0.60 to1.85) mgl-1, respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the LC50 values obtained at different exposure times and the safe levels estimated by different methods varied from 1.25×10-1 to 1.25×10-5 mgl-1. There were dose and time dependent increase in mortality rate due to exposure to the herbicide. Stress signs in form of hyperactivity, erratic swimming, skin discoloration, vigorous jerks of the body followed by exhaustion and death were observed. The 96 h LC50 of 1.25 mgl-1 obtained indicate that the herbicide was toxic to T. zillii. Agricultural use of butachlor in the environment, especially, near water bodies, must be restricted to avoid the severe risk associated with the use of the pesticide.Keywords: Tilapia zillii, butachlor, toxicity, mortality, behavioral changes, safe levelAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(5), pp. 499-50

Expectancy Theory, Maslow\u27s Hierarchy of Needs, and Cataloguing Departments

This paper discusses Expectancy Theory, Maslow\u27s Hierarchy of Needs, and how they can be used to motivate the library staff with special focus on the cataloguing staff or those working in the cataloging Department of Libraries

Use of Library Resources by Staff and Students of Secondary Schools in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State

Use of library resources by staff and students of secondary schools in Umuahia North Local Government Area was investigated and analyzed, in order to determine the collections of these libraries the use made of them as well as determine whether or not these resources satisfy the information needs of both staff and students. The survey research method was adopted using simple random sampling techniques to select actual respondents from the population. The design is a case study and the major instrument for data collection was the questionnaires complemented by documentary sources and direct observations. Results indicate among other things that staff and students make use of these libraries but the library resources do not satisfy he information needs of respondents results also indicate that lack of current and up-to-date materials is the most prominent factor militating against library use. It is recommended that adequate funds should be provided to procedure current materials