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

Risk associated with heavy metals in children playground soils of Owerri metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria

Despite recording the worst heavy metal disaster involving children, there is still scarcity of information on risk assessment of playground soils in Nigeria. In this study, thirty-six soil samples at 0-5 cm depth were collected from nine playgrounds in Owerri metropolis during the dry and rainy seasons. Five heavy metals were fractionated into six chemical fractions using a modified sequential extraction scheme and mean concentrations quantified by AAnalyst 400 Perkin Elmer AAS. Predictive risk models were used to obtain information about the risk of metals contamination to children using these playgrounds for longer periods. These reveal that there were no significant differences in the mean values of bioconcentration factors of all five metals in the various playgrounds for the two years of data. Even though risk values for both dry and rainy season followed the same trend, it was observed that the Zinc showed highest bioconcentration factors (1.6), average daily dose (230.08 mg/kg/day) and risk (5095593 mg/kg/6years). Over all, playgrounds UPS, TSO and SCP had highest mean risk values, respectively. Though with no clear trend, mobility factors showed a weak and positive correlation with risk. Children in playgrounds of public schools within Owerri metropolis could, therefore, be at risk of Mn, Cu and Zn toxicity problems as projected risk values were high for all studied playgrounds. This assessment could help identify playgrounds with urgent need for heavy metals reduction goals, consequently contributing to preserving children’s health

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

Radiation levels of dumpsites within Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

With increasing population and human activities, dumpsites experience diverse sources of waste with potential radiation hazards. Ionizing radiations have often been overlooked amongst researchers in third world countries, hence, information in this regard is lacking. In this study, nine dumpsites within Imo State University (IMSU) grounds were assessed for radiation levels using Geiger Muller counter Tube Mullard type ZP 1481 with assisted scalar and stopwatch. After calibration, the instrument was placed one meter above ground level and count rates recorded at 10 minutes interval for each location once in the morning, the afternoon and the evening for seven days. Results reveal higher dose equivalents in some morning periods than in the afternoon and evening. Site ETF2 had highest value of 0.69±0.08 mSv·yr-1, while Extension gate had lowest value of 0.56±0.01 mSv·yr-1. Compared to National Council for Radiation Protection maximum permissible level, these values are quite low. In conclusion, ionizing radiations levels at the studied dumpsites in Imo State University grounds are low and may not pose a threat to persons within the university

Water Quality Index and Human Health Risk Assessment of Class B Swimming Pools in Owerri Municipal, Nigeria

Assessments of public swimming pools in Owerri municipal, Imo state, Nigeria was carried out for the purpose of determining the suitability of water for swimming in this fun loving town of Nigeria. Five public pools were selected by purposive sampling from more than 30 pools in the area. Water samples were collected in the morning and evening from pools and analyzed in triplicates for physicochemical properties and heavy metals content by using standard method for water analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Data obtained were compared with WHO and EPA standards for drinking and recreational water and modeled on the Water Quality Index (WQI). Results revealed that pH ranged from 7.10±0.02 to 8.1±1.27 pH units, EC ranged from 40 ±3.11 µS/cm to 80±3.44 µS/cm, COD value ranged from 0.08±0.07 to 1.02 ±0.91, BOD value ranged from 0.03±0.02 to 3.14±0.13, dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged 3.9±1.77 mg/kg to 9.3±2.41 mg/kg, suspended solids ranged from 6.43±8.21 mg/l to 42.44±7.00 mg/l, total dissolved solids (TDS) ranged from 22±2.90 mg/l to 97.98±8.79 mg/l. The major cations were below the standard. Nitrate ranged from 0.91±0.02 mg/l to 0.96 mg/l, sulphate ranged from 2.34±0.10 mg/l to 2.81±0.11mg/l, phosphate ranged from 0.34±0.02 mg/l to 0.65±0.02 mg/l while chloride ranged from 12.75±1.89 mg/l to 31.89±2.04 mg/l with mean 24.23 mg/l. Except for chloride, all other studied anions were lower than the permissible limit set by WHO/EPA. Concentration of lead (Pb), iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) were also below the permissible limit. The individual WQ indexes showed A (3.32), B (5.44), C (10.08), D (12.40) and E (9.77) with average WQI of 8.20 suggesting that the swimming pools are of “Excellent water quality”, thereby suggesting safe swimming pools for recreational activities in the study area. Values of exposure pathways for all metals at all swimming pools were less than one. Therefore there were no risks of heavy metals from the swimming pools

Indirect exposure to novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): an overview of current knowledge

This review chronicles the indirect transmission method which seems to be overlooked by most people and makes attempts to document the various transmission ways with a hope that such information may strengthen the knowledge base of researchers towards methods of eradicating the pandemic. Current knowledge of transmission and exposure of SARS-CoV-2 has been explained. Various researchers have put forward different ways of exposure and transmission.&nbsp; Literature does not reveal whether the indirect transmission route is the dominant one. However, total lockdown could be a veritable means to reduce both direct and indirect transmission routes. In many countries where the indirect transmission has been reduced, the scourge of the virus is less. The work creates awareness on the need to watch out for those routes of transmissions that may not be popular and suggested vital knowledge gaps that need to fill. &nbsp