Assessment of Pollution Level of Groundwater in Gariki, Enugu Urban, Nigeria

An assessment of the pollution level of groundwater in Gariki residential area, Enugu Urban, Nigeria has been carried out. Six study locations were involved in the study. The water samples collected from the study locations were subjected to physico-chemical and bacteriologic analysis in the laboratory. The PH meter, turbidmeter and conductivity meter are among the instrument utilized in the analysis of the physical parameters while the concentrations of heavy metals were detected by the use of a spectrophotometer. The approved UNEP (1996b) standard was the method employed in the bacteriological analysis of the water samples. High acidity level of 1.3 was obtained in the GM (Gariki Market) study location and this shows that it requires water treatment. The physico-chemical results fall within the WHO acceptable limit. However, water samples O.S.  (Odudukoko Street), A.R (Akwuke Road) and A.B (Army Barracks) show the presence of E. coli and coliform. These study locations also require water treatment because of their bacteriological infections. Proffered measures include, legislative move for general groundwater protection, extension programme on groundwater protection, routine water sample analysis, regular evacuation of septic tanks, sitting of refuse landfills away from residential areas among others. These measures will foster good health which implies great productivity and sustainable development. Keywords: Pollution, groundwater, physico-chemical, bacteriological

Seismo-Structural Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation of Ugwu-Field, Coastal Swamp Depositional Belt of the Niger Delta Basin

Structural interpretation of 3-D seismic data and well log have been applied to unravel hydrocarbon entrapment pattern and petrophysical  parameters of X-field within the coastal swamp region of the Niger Delta.. Four reservoir intervals (A, B, C and D) delineated as (W-026, 032, 042 and 048) using gamma ray and resistivity log response. Structural interpretation for inline 5158 revealed four horizons (A, B, C and D) and eight (8) faults labelled (F1, F2, F12, F13, F21, F22, F23, and F24) were mapped. It was observed that the hanging wall block due to reverse drag or rollover anticline slided over fault F12 and created fault F2, thereby creating subsidence where sediments can be deposited. Therefore, faults F2 and F12 created rollover structures which cuts across the entire four reservoirs and invaluably responsible for trapping of hydrocarbon in the field. RMS map developed for horizons ‘A’ and ‘B’ revealed high amplitude anomalies, while variance attribute for both horizons showed relatively uniform lithology observed from east to west across the study area. While from north-east to south west, variance was observed to increase relatively which indicates different lithology. These trend exposes dipping of the channel fill at both flanks by creating extensive faulting. Results of petrophysical evaluation for reservoirs ‘A’ and ‘B’ across the four wells were analyzed. For reservoir ‘A’, porosity values of 32.8%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 27.1% were obtained for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 respectively with an average of 27.65%, while for reservoir ‘B’ porosity values of 26.83%, 26.93%, 25.59% and 27.99% for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 were obtained respectively with an average of 26.84%. This porosity values were rated very good to excellent for reservoir ‘A’ and very good for reservoir ‘B’, while Permeability values of the order (K > 1000mD) were obtained for both reservoirs across the four wells and is rated excellent. Hydrocarbon saturation (Shc) across the four wells averages at 68.57% for reservoir ‘A’ and 68.67% for reservoir ‘B’ which is high. Log motifs using gamma ray log for well-026 was integrated with seismic facies to infer on depositional environment of the reservoirs horizons showed a combination of serrated funnel/blocky shape log response and coarsening upward cycles. For reservoirs ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ the log shape pattern indicates deposition in a fluvial / tidal, channel environment while for reservoir ‘D’ the pattern indicates deposition in deltaic front environment. Isochore maps computed for horizons ‘A’ and ‘B’, shows that horizon ‘A’ is relatively thick and this pattern suggests increased tectonic activities during deposition of reservoir ‘A’ and is an indication that reservoir ‘A’ is a synrift deposit. Keywords: 3-D Seismic interpretation, Faults, Seismostratigraphy, Well log, Seismic Attributes, Petrophysical parameter

Occurrence of Heavy Metals in Soil and Selected Edible Plants in the Vicinity of Major Lead-Zinc Mining Sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The occurrence of heavy metals in soil and selected edible plants (Manihot esculenta, Dioscorea rotundata, Ipomoea batatas, Telfairia occidentalis, and Chromolaena odorata) in the vicinity of major Lead-Zinc mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was investigated. The concentrations of the detected heavy metals in soil from the study sites ranged from 0.38-77830.99 (mg.kg-1). The limit values for all detected metals in soil from the mining sites were exceeded in most instances. The results showed that the plant species accumulated heavy metals near the mining sites to varying levels in their shoots and roots. The limit values for all detected heavy metals in the edible plants were not exceeded except in a few instances. The plant species demonstrated varying effectiveness for phytoextraction, indicating their appropriateness in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. Therefore, examining the environmental consequences of uncontrolled mining activity in the vicinity of the mining sites with a scientific approach has helped to increase our knowledge of the pollution problem in the mining sites, reveal the ferocity of the situation, and contribute to the techniques presently in use for monitoring chemical pollution in a mining-impacted ecosystem

Immunoglobulin Levels in HIV Patients And Abo Blood Group: Is There A Relationship?

This study aims at determining relationship between the ABO blood group and the level of immunoglobulin classes in patients infected with Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). One hundred and fifty three (153) confirmed HIV-1 positive subjects were enrolled in the study. These comprise of 62 (40.5%) males and 91 (59.5%) females. Sex and age-matched HIV-negative control were also recruited. The subjects comprise of adults aged 18-55 years with 36 years as the mean age. The study was conducted at the CDC-UNTH ART clinic Enugu after obtaining ethical approval from the relevant authority.The total protein, globulin, albumin IgG, IgM and IgA were assayed for both the HIV-positive patients and control subjects. The standard tube technique for both cell and serum grouping was used in determining the blood groups of the patients and control group under the study. The total protein, albumin and immunoglobulins levels were all determined using the Roche/Hitachi 902 automated  analyser .The assay principle of the total protein and albumin was colorimetric assay while that of immunoglobulins was turbidimetric.  Globulin assay was determined by finding the difference between total protein and albumin values. Descriptive statistics which include means, standard deviation (SD), frequency and percentage were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables. Differential statistics which include chi-square was used to test association between categorical variable while two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means of continuous variables. All analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 18.0.The mean levels of the total protein, globulin, albumin, IgG ,IgM and IgA for the HIV-positive subjects were 84.92g/l, 40.13g/l, 44.96g/l, 19.31g/l, 1.56g/l and 2.41g/l respectively. The mean levels of the total protein, globulin, albumin, IgG, IgM and IgA for the control group were 75.94g/l, 30.19g/l,45.80g/l, 18.78g/l, 0.88g/l, 2.12g/l respectively. Our work did not establish any statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between ABO blood group and HIV infection. There is no significant difference in the mean levels of total protein, globulin, IgG,  IgM and IgA  across the blood groups (A,B,AB and O). We recommend the inclusion of IgM, IgG, IgA, globulin and total protein assays as baseline study in addition to the well established CD4+ cell count and viral load assay in assessing the Immune status of people infected with HIV at baseline. More study is recommended. KEY WORDS: HIV, infection, Immunoglobulin, ABO Blood group

Evaluation of microparticles based on chitosan and sodium alginate blend for enhanced delivery of ciprofloxacin against plasmid-mediated drug resistance

The study seeks to evaluate microparticles based on chitosan and sodium alginate blend for enhanced delivery of ciprofloxacin in plasmid-mediated drug resistance. Microparticles were prepared using the ionotropic-gelation method. Three different ratios were prepared for optimization. The microparticles were optimized based on encapsulation efficiency, in-vitro drug release, pH stability and bacterial susceptibility studies. The encapsulation efficiency of the three batches was higher than 40 %. The formulations showed an extended release profile over 8 h and reached a peak of about 30 % release at the 6 h. The pH of the particles was stable over a period of 6 d. The microparticles containing only 0.075 mg of ciprofloxacin dropped in an agar well plate inoculated with E. coli Flac Tn3 gave an IZD of ≥ 6 mm. The microparticulate blend of chitosan and sodium alginate holds good potentials for ciprofloxacin delivery against plasmid-mediated drug resistance. Keywords: microparticles, ciprofloxacin, chitosan, sodium alginate, plasmid, resistanc

Evaluation of graded levels of raw and cooked turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) on performance of starter broiler chicks

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different levels of raw and cooked turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) on the performance of starter broiler chicks in a complete randomised design. Turmeric rhizome was washed with water and divided into two batches of 20kg each. The first batch was crushed, then sundried for 3 days. The second batch was cooked for an hour, crushed with a roller and sundried for 3 days. Both the  raw and cooked sundried turmeric rhizomes were then ground using a hammer mill to produce raw and cooked turmeric rhizome meal and were bagged respectively. Seven (7) broiler starter diets were formulated to contain raw or cooked turmeric rhizome meal at 0% (control diet), 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% levels, respectively. The diets were offered ad libitum to 189 Cobb broilers which were randomly divided into 7 dietary treatment groups,  each containing 3 replicates of 9 birds per replicate. The experiment lasted for 21days. All the routine management practices were duly observed. Daily weight gain, daily feed intake, mortality and feed conversion ratio were used as criteria of response. The results indicated that addition of  turmeric rhizome meal had no significant (p>0.05) effect on daily weight gain, daily feed intake, mortality and feed conversion ratio as compared with the control. It was evident that the different processing methods and the dietary levels used had no effect on broiler performance based on the results obtained in this study and within the circumstances of the experiments. It can be concluded that sun-dried raw and cooked turmeric rhizome meal at the dietary levels used did not significantly affect broiler starter performance. Keywords: raw and cooked turmeric rhizome meal, broiler chicks, performance