Radio-sterilization effects on adult males of Glossina tachinoides (Diptera: Glossinidae) exposed to different doses from a gamma irradiation facility in Ghana

Induced sterility of adult males of Glossina tachiniodes irradiated with gamma doses of 130, 150 and 160 Gy, respectively, in air was investigated. The flies were irradiated at horizontal distances of 50 cm and 70 cm, respectively from the Gamma Facility. The mean percentage insemination of spermathecae ranged between 82.83 " 2.8% and 74.63 " 2.8%. All females mated and inseminated with irradiated males produced large numbers of aborted eggs and very few viable pupae. At optimum dose range between 150 Gy and 160 Gy at 50 cm horizontally from the gamma source, irradiated G. tachinoides males could achieve fertility of less than 5% (i.e., 3.7% and 0.7% fertility, respectively). JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 2 No. 3 (2000) pp. 193-19

The nuclear fuel cycle associated with the operation of nuclear power plants

Electric power generation in Ghana is presently achieved through hydro and fossil fuel energy sources. However, recent energy crisis due to sporadic rainfall patterns has mandated the search for alternate and more secure electricity generating technologies. The nuclear power option has been mentioned as an alternative for Ghana but the issue of waste management worries both policy makers and the public. In this paper, the nuclear fuel cycle associated with the operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) for electric power generation has been extensively reviewed. Different methods or schemes for dealing with the management of spent fuel arisings from the operation of these power plants have also been analyzed. Particular attention has been paid to providing answers to vital questions often asked by the public regarding the front- (nuclear fuel supply) and back- (spent fuel disposal) ends of the nuclear fuel cycle. Different strategies of the fuel cycle have been mentioned. The wet and dry storage methods of spent fuel management required for temporal storage of spent fuel at-reactor (AR) and away-from-reactor (AFR) sites have also been reviewed. Some recommendations have been made for the adoption of a nuclear power program in Ghana by concentrating on management and disposal of nuclear waste. JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 2 No. 2 (2000) pp. 121-12

Radiation Processing And Characterization Of Chitin And Chitosan Extracted From Crab Shells

The extraction and characterization of Chitin and Chitosan from crab shells (Callinectes sp.) obtained locally in Ghana is presented. The shells were finely milled and soaked in 10 % dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 48 hr followed by de-proteinization using 2M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for 24 hr to obtain Chitin. The Chitin was refluxed at 100 oC in 50 % NaOH for 7 hr to yield Chitosan. The Chitin and Chitosan were characterized by determining the de-acetylation, viscosity and average molecular weights. The degree of de-acetylation was determined to be 89.7 %. The viscosity of Chitosan in dilute acetic acid was measured and the average molecular weight estimated. The average molecular weight of dry gamma irradiated (up to 100kGy) Chitosan samples decreased with increasing dose. The results have been discussed in terms of radiation induced degradation of solids. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 18-2