Studying the Physico-edaphic and Hydraulic Conductivity of Phytoremediated Spent Oil Polluted Habitat

Several studies have recorded effect of spent lubricant oil pollution on soil properties. This study aims at evaluating the ecology of waste oil pollution and the impact of phytoremediation on soil hydraulic conductivity vis-à-vis some edaphic properties using three leguminous plants; with the objectives of performing field and laboratory study of such contamination and impact of phytoremediation on such properties as soil texture and structure, particle density, bulk density, porosity, organic matter content and total hydrocarbon content and hydraulic conductivity. Using classical and conventional methods to assess the performance of these plant species, result showed a trajectory influence across pollution levels on the soil edaphic properties culminating to decrease in hydraulic conductivity. With the impact of phytoapplication P. pterocarpum had greater particle size (87.73%) of sand, particle density of 2.61 g/cm3 with significant difference (P=0.05) than C. retusa and L. leucocephala treated soils. A significantly (P=0.05) lower bulk density (0.83 g/cm3), increased porosity (68%) and reduced organic matter content (2.65%) were recorded in P. pterocarpum treated soil. Total hydrocarbon reduction (1.8 mg/g) content and its equivalent potency of greater removal and reduction (0.43 mg/g), high efficiency of 55% and 34.40 bioaccumulation quotient and a lower crusting hazard (24.63%) of sealing with increased hydraulic conductivity (5.73 ml/s) were recorded in P. pterocarpum treated soil. By the foregoing potency P. pterocarpum could be suggested as a good biological measure in integrated environmental remediation programmes

Natural Regeneration; 4 Years after the Ekiugbo Oil Spill, at Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria: Implication for Phytoremediation Potential

This study assessed the floristic composition, structural classification and phytosociology of life form regeneration, mode of regeneration and demographic status of regeneration in vegetation forest, 4 years after pollution impact. It was aimed at evaluating the phytoremediation potential of some hydrocarbon tolerant macrophytes (HTM). Conventional ecological approach involving stratified simple random design method and phytosociological indices were used. Result has classified the study site flora as low land secondary mosaic vegetation with heterogenous continuum in spatial and closed horizontal structural arrangement. Phytosociological dynamics of 51 herbaceous and 12 shrubby life forms of 63 representative species under 21 families and 49 genera of angiosperms recorded changes. Four prevalently dominant families very abundant with highest species diversity richness and three families in abundance were recorded. Shrubby recruit was lower than Herbaceous recruits with the Herbaceous sedge (HS) recording highest recruits among regenerating life forms (HS>HG>HH>HCl). The herbaceous life form had Chamaephytes 33(64.71%) and Hemicryptophytes 18(35.29%). The shrubby life form recorded 2(11.11%) Nanophanerophytes and Mesophanerophytes respectively and 8(66.67%) Microphanerophytes. The herbaceous life form mode of regeneration had 28 recruits with multiplier mode, and 23 recruits with single mode of regeneration. Four recruits exhibited multiplier mode and eight with single mode of regeneration across shrubby life form. Demographic status of regeneration revealed greater seedling than sapling density devoid of adult tree recruits, thus implies “successful and new regeneration” Keywords: Coppice, Recruits, Rhizome, Sapling, and Seedlings. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-11-04 Publication date: November 30th 202

Biodiversity Conservation Effort and Livelihoods in Parts of Ilaje Riparian Community in Ondo State, Nigeria

Biodiversity constitute the resource base of human survival and economic well-being of immediate and future generations. It can be described as the diversity of life forms on Earth, variety of all living things, the places they inhabit, and the ecological interaction between them. This concept has been examined by several scientist and conservationist and with several studies on coastal ecosystem, its biodiversity scenarios, conservation priorities and sustainable livelihood been reported in parts of Niger Delta. However, this study is of high significance hence neither of these studies nor similar research on biodiversity conservation in coastal environment has been carried out in parts of Ilaje in Ondo State. The aim of the study was to evaluate the coastal biodiversity scenarios, livelihood and conservation efforts in Ileja. The gradient – directed transect sampling and Wetland Ecosystem Dynamic Plot (WEDP) method, Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) and direct observational and ground-truthing by hand-held geographic positioning system (GPS - Garmin Dakota 10 model) for data collection were adapted. Data analysis was by descriptive analytical tools (frequency count, percentages and charts and levels of response anchors using the Likert –Type scale 7 point level of agreement and 5 point level of agreement). Result of biodiversity awareness of natural resources was high for the fishes; with 84% awareness in Odonla, Molutehin and Odun-Igo respectively; 88% in Ikorigho and 92% in Awoye. The least known resources include: Pig, Mudskipper, and Tortoise respectively with 4% awareness in Odonla, 4% of Snail in Molutehin, and 8% for Cray fish and Periwinkle respectively in Odun-Igo and Awoye. The level of awareness for community protection effort was 24% in Ikorigho and Odun-Igo respectively and 44% in Awoye. Government protection effort (36%) Odonla and (76%) Molutehin. The respondents choice for government effort than traditional effort in flora (mangrove) protection were  88%, 56%, 100%, 84% and 48% in Odonla, Ikorigho, Molutehin, Odun-Igo, and Awoye respectively. Sacred groves recorded 16%, 76% 92% and 68% presence in Ikorigho, Molutehin, Odun-Igo and Awoye respectively. Conclusively, it can be highlighted that the condition of the coastal biodiversity scenarios of Ilaje can be assessed as this may assist the government in executing the legislation at its disposal. Keywords: Ilaje, natural resources, government, tradition, biodiversity DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-16-03 Publication date:August 31st 202

Geospatial technology, a satellite -based change detection agent: imperative for analysis and management of vegetation resources in developing economy

The application of geospatial technology, apart from being used in diverse specialty of human endeavours, has made immense contribution towards monitoring and evaluating the vulnerability and changing pattern of diverse vegetation ecosystems. Thus, it is being rated among the most accurate means of detecting the trend of canopy cover conditions of a locality over a period of time. In the light of this, the present review focused on geospatial tool as a satellite-based change detection agent for the analysis of vegetation in sustainable resource management. Following the various conventional approaches to a critical review, the application of geospatial tool in the in-situ and ex-situ analytical phases has indicated its usefulness in evaluation of vegetation ecosystem. It has also proven useful in vegetation resource location and management, harvest planning, fire management, map development, strategic planning, modelling and statistical analysis. Its benefit for detecting changes gives more perspectives than the prehistoric ground measurement. It is faster, easier, energy and time-saving and accurately improving organisational integration. Though of great importance in change detection, geospatial tool is associated with four major issues which include institutional, social, economic and infrastructural challenges. However, researchers should be encouraged to explore this application in order to detect future trend (forecasting) and make researches more globally acceptable

Geospatial technology, a satellite -based change detection agent: imperative for analysis and management of vegetation resources in developing economy

The application of geospatial technology, apart from being used in diverse specialty of human endeavours, has made immense contribution towards monitoring and evaluating the vulnerability and changing pattern of diverse vegetation ecosystems. Thus, it is being rated among the most accurate means of detecting the trend of canopy cover conditions of a locality over a period of time. In the light of this, the present review focused on geospatial tool as a satellite-based change detection agent for the analysis of vegetation in sustainable resource management. Following the various conventional approaches to a critical review, the application of geospatial tool in the in-situ and ex-situ analytical phases has indicated its usefulness in evaluation of vegetation ecosystem. It has also proven useful in vegetation resource location and management, harvest planning, fire management, map development, strategic planning, modelling and statistical analysis. Its benefit for detecting changes gives more perspectives than the prehistoric ground measurement. It is faster, easier, energy and time-saving and accurately improving organisational integration. Though of great importance in change detection, geospatial tool is associated with four major issues which include institutional, social, economic and infrastructural challenges. However, researchers should be encouraged to explore this application in order to detect future trend (forecasting) and make researches more globally acceptable

Ecological baseline study of heavy metal bioaccumulation in a proposed wetland for Rivgas Refinery project in Ase-Ndoni, Rivers State

No Abstract.Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 27-3

Studying the Physico-edaphic and Hydraulic Conductivity of Phytoremediated Spent Oil Polluted Habitat

Several studies have recorded effect of spent lubricant oil pollution on soil properties. This study aims at evaluating the ecology of waste oil pollution and the impact of phytoremediation on soil hydraulic conductivity vis-à-vis some edaphic properties using three leguminous plants; with the objectives of performing field and laboratory study of such contamination and impact of phytoremediation on such properties as soil texture and structure, particle density, bulk density, porosity, organic matter content and total hydrocarbon content and hydraulic conductivity. Using classical and conventional methods to assess the performance of these plant species, result showed a trajectory influence across pollution levels on the soil edaphic properties culminating to decrease in hydraulic conductivity. With the impact of phytoapplication P. pterocarpum had greater particle size (87.73%) of sand, particle density of 2.61 g/cm3 with significant difference (P=0.05) than C. retusa and L. leucocephala treated soils. A significantly (P=0.05) lower bulk density (0.83 g/cm3), increased porosity (68%) and reduced organic matter content (2.65%) were recorded in P. pterocarpum treated soil. Total hydrocarbon reduction (1.8 mg/g) content and its equivalent potency of greater removal and reduction (0.43 mg/g), high efficiency of 55% and 34.40 bioaccumulation quotient and a lower crusting hazard (24.63%) of sealing with increased hydraulic conductivity (5.73 ml/s) were recorded in P. pterocarpum treated soil. By the foregoing potency P. pterocarpum could be suggested as a good biological measure in integrated environmental remediation programmes