Chemometric Assessment of Orashi River after Confluence with Oguta Lake

This study was carried out to evaluate the surficial water and sediment of Orashi River after confluence with Oguta. A total of 50 sub-samples were collected for the two media and were homogenized to form 10 composite samples (5 each). Water and sediment samples were analyzed for heavy metals concentrations and physico-chemical parameters. Data obtained was interpreted using ten chemometric models and standards of the Federal Ministry of Environment as touchstone values. Approximately 100 % of water samples were contaminated as opposed to 40 % of sediment samples. Both water and sediments showed that Cd  as the highest contaminant with contamination factors of 38 and 1.52 respectively. Water revealed pollution load index higher than sediment probably due to its dissolution ability to metals. Geo accumulation index was observed to have highest value for Cd (45) at point A while Fe (> 4) at all points and same time the highest negative value. All points exhibited very high ecological risk (RI; 1112.7–1473.9) for water while sediments at those points showed low (RI Cd>Ag>Cr>Fe>Cu>Mn>Co>Ni. In conclusion, the water was polluted but good for irrigation use. However, continuous use could lead to health problems due to bioaccumulation of metals while sediments were generally not polluted and of good qualit

Microplastics in agroecosystems: A review of effects on soil biota and key soil functions

Contamination of soils in agroecosystems with microplastics (MPs) is of increasing concern. The contamination of the environment/farmland soils with MPs (1 µm to 5 mm sized particles) and nanoplastics (NPs; <1 µm sized particles) is causing numerous effects on ecological soil functions and human health. MPs enter the soil via several sources, either from intentional plastic use (e.g., plastic mulch, plastic greenhouses, plastic-coated products) or indirectly from the input of sewage sludge, compost, or irrigation water that is contaminated with plastic. Once in the soil, plastic debris can have various impacts such as changes in soil functions and physicochemical properties and it affects soil organisms due to its toxic behavior. This review paper describes the different effects of plastic waste to understand the consequences for agricultural productivity. Furthermore, we identify knowledge gaps and highlight the required approaches, indicating future research directions on sources, transport, and fate of MPs in soils to improve our understanding of various unspecified abiotic and biotic impacts of MP pollution in agroecosystems

Evaluation of Some Groundwater Sources in Ota, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria

In a three year study (2018, 2019 and 2020), some groundwater sources in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria were evaluated for quality. A total of one hundred and eighty composite borehole water samples were collected from 10 locations/sites in the study area. The sampling sites in the study were A (Iju), B (Onipannu), C (Ilogbo), D (Arobieye), E (Igbooloye, F (Osi), G (Ijoko), H (Akeja), I (Oju-ore) and J (Iyesi). Samples collected were analyzed using standard procedure for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride and iron (Fe). Results over three years showed that the water was acidic with pH < 6.5, EC ranged from 39.52±0.79 to 134.99±0.03 µS/cm, TDS ranged from 19.43±0.42 to 81.00±0.02 mg/L, chloride was consistent at 0.02±0.00 mg/L while Fe ranged from 0.00±0.00 to 0.11±0.08 mg/L. There was no definite yearly trend except for Fe which dropped from 0.036 mg/L in 2018 to 0.011 mg/L in 2020. Modelling the data for consumption using water quality index (WQI) showed that the groundwater is of excellent quality with WQI < 50 while for health risks using the average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient showed that the groundwater would pose no non-carcinogenic risks. Periodic monitoring covering more parameter is recommended to reflect the proper status of groundwater sources in Ota

Contamination and Dietary Intake Risks Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Species of Wild Edible Mushrooms Grown in Southern Nigeria

In this study, wild edible mushroom collected from Rivers and Imo state Nigeria were evaluated for heavy metals and dietary intake risks assessment. Four species of edible mushrooms were collected each in Imo (Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lenziles betulina and Grifola polypilus frondosa) and River state (Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus tuber-regium, Lenziles betulina, Auricularia aurucula) and metals extracted using HNO3 before analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) in Varian AA 240 FS apparatus. Results showed that all metals showed concentrations lower than the permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) while Pb was not detected in all samples analyzed and Cd in samples collected from Rivers state. However, Cd was only detected (0.003 mg/kg) in one sample (Lenziles betulina) collected from Imo state. Fe exceeded recommended values in Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Lenziles betulina in Imo State. Bioaccumulation factors for all mushrooms were generally low (< 3). However, the potential tolerable weekly intake and target hazard quotient values for the four mushroom species were usually extremely low except for Fe (2.24) in Lenziles betulina. Consumption of mushrooms from these areas might pose no potential risk in terms of heavy metals except for Fe content in Lenziles betulina from Rivers state. However, in general, it can be concluded that the consumption of the studied mushroom species from all sites does not present any health risk arising from their regular consumption

Storage and its Effect on Chemical Quality Indicators in Sachet Water Brands Sold in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of storage on certain sachet water quality indicators over a twelve-week period. Three brands of sachet water were collected within 24 h of production and analyzed for pH, nitrate, phosphate and dissolved oxygen. These were then placed in normal storage. According to out results, pH values increased significantly in all brands after week 8. Moreover, nitrate and dissolved oxygen values decreased throughout the investigation period, while phosphate values increased in all brands tested. All tested brands showed various degree of variation over the period of study. Still, all brands analyzed were within permissible limit by World Health Organization (WHO) stipulations. However, continuous storage can significantly alter the chemical quality indicators to a level that exceeds the limit set by WHO; hence, becoming harmful to human health. Therefore, it is recommended that sachet water should not be stored for more than 12 weeks from the date of production

In silico binding affinity analysis of microplastic compounds on PET hydrolase enzyme target of Ideonella sakaiensis

Abstract Background The world today is faced with the humongous challenge of removing the numerous plastic wastes in our environment. Efforts in the removal or remediation of these materials from the ecosystem are presently at the budding stage. Some researchers have shown that certain bacterial enzymes have the ability to hydrolyze and further degrade these plastic compounds. In this study, the ability of PET hydrolase enzyme to hydrolyze polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate was investigated in silico. Results The binding affinity values of polycarbonate (− 5.7 kcal/mol) and polyethylene terephthalate (− 5.2 kcal/mol) on the enzyme targets were the highest and showed that they are likely to be efficiently hydrolyzed by this bacteria in the environment. The binding affinity of polyvinylchloride was the lowest (− 2.2 kcal/mol) and suggested that it would show resistance to hydrolysis by the PET hydrolase enzyme. Conclusion The findings from this study showed that PET hydrolase enzyme from Ideonella sakaiensis could be efficient in the hydrolysis of plastic wastes composed mainly of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate

Trace metal, FTIR and phytochemical analysis of Viscum album leaves harvested from Pentaclethra macrophylla

The leaves of mistletoe (Viscum album) harvested from oil bean tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla) in Imo State South Eastern Nigeria was studied. The study was aimed at carrying out trace metal, Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) and phytochemical analysis of ethanol leave extracts of Viscum album harvested from Pentaclethra macrophylla. The sample for trace metal analysis was digested with a mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HClO4 at a ratio of 1:1 for 24 hours. Ethanol was then used to extract the sample meant for FTIR and phytochemical analysis. Herein, trace metal determination indicates the presence of Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Cr, and the concentration of Ca and Mn is at < 0.00 mg/kg. The result of the phytochemical screening demonstrates the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins and tannins. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of alcohols, amides, aromatics and carbonyl compounds in ethanol extracts of Viscum album harvested from Pentaclethra macrophylla. The presence of some trace metals and phytochemicals, as well as some important functional groups in the plant sample, as indicated by the result of the study, authenticates its use in traditional medicine

Pollution assessment models of surface soils in Port Harcourt city, Rivers State, Nigeria

Environmental pollution has resulted in several health and physiological problems in both plants and animals. This has witnessed growing number of models for assessment purposes. Some of these provide useful information, and reduce large data for easier understanding by policy-makers. In the current study of pollution, we used data from four locations: Oil Market, Trans Amadi, Borrokiri and GRA in Port Harcourt and a control taken from Federal Land Resource Umuahia (FLRU). A total of 25 composite soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals, by means of a 969 Unicam AAS model series. The data obtained were then subjected to index models. Results showed iron (Fe) to be most abundant metal, ranging from 10.44 to 19.54 mg/kg, then Ni (8.03 to 13.6mg/kg), Cd (3.96 to 5.41 mg/kg), Pb (1.36 to 7.64 mg/kg), Zn (0.09 to 7.24 mg/kg), Cu (0.16 to 0.32) and As (0.07 to 0.11 mg/kg). All metal concentrations were below permissible limits set by NESRA. Contamination factor (Cf) and Igeo revealed moderate to heavy contamination by Cd and Zn. Anthropogenicity revealed that increasing metals in the environment are largely from anthropogenic inputs. The Pollution Index revealed that soils were unpolluted (PLI < 1) with the heavy metals. Furthermore, the Sodium absorption ratio showed that the soils are less sodic and could be good soils for plant growth. All four sites showed a linear relationship between anthropogenicity and geoaccumulation indexes, and so both indexes furnish basically the same information However, pollution from these metals in the study area should be under routine check for possible pollution in the near future, as some metals showed elevated concentrations above background values