Spider Diversity Pattern and Community Composition in the South Eastern Nigeria: An Analysis of Habitat Differences

Spider diversity plays an important role in the balance of nature. Thus, a study on the diversity of spiders was carried out in Awka, Anambra State in the South Eastern Nigeria from January, 2018 to June, 2018. Spiders were collected from three habitats which include: residential areas, farmlands and forest regions in the study area using handpicking and vegetative beating methods. A total of one hundred and twenty-five (125) spiders belonging to ten (10) families and comprising of thirteen (13) species were identified. Ninety-three (93) spiders were collected from residential areas, twenty-one (21) from farmlands and eleven (11) from forest regions. Results of the relative abundance of spider species in different habitat showed that Physocyclus globosus has the highest abundance of species having 71.2% with composition of eighty-nine (89) spiders. Residential areas recorded the highest abundance of spiders having 74.4% and species composition of ninety-three (93) spiders. Forest regions recorded the highest species diversity index (H) of 1.7202. The study revealed that spider diversity is influenced by the type of habitat, vegetation and environmental disturbances.Key words: Diversity; Habitat; Relative Abundance; Spide

Genotoxicology: Single and Joint Action of Copper and Zinc to Synodontis clarias and Tilapia nilotica

The genotoxicity of copper, zinc and their binary mixture was examined inSynodontis clarias and Tilapia nilotica using the sensitive micronucleus assay in fish genome. Increased formation of the micronuclei were observed in all the three concentrations studied (0.25LC50, 0.125LC50 and 0.0625LC50). The frequency of micronuclei was observed to increase heavily (

Effects of Vegetated and Synthetic (Impervious) Surfaces on the Microclimate of Urban Area

The present paper shows the considerable impacts of both vegetated and synthetic surfaces on the microclimate of urban area. Vegetation of a particular place affects the microclimate through reduced solar radiation and lower air temperature due to shading and evapotranspiration. Lower air temperatures are essential both to improve thermal comfort conditions of residents and to limit energy use for cooling. The growth and spread of synthetic (impervious) surfaces within urbanizing areas pose significant threats to the quality of natural and built environments. These threats include increased stormwater runoff, reduced water quality, higher maximum summer temperatures, degraded, and destroyed aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and the diminished aesthetic appeal of streams and landscapes. This paper provides a basic introduction to microclimate, vegetated and impervious surfaces and an overview of the effects of increased imperviousness and vegetation on the microclimate of urban areas. Although urban and suburban growth is inevitable, many of the environmental impacts of impervious surfaces are avoidable or controllable. Working together, local governments and citizens can reduce the amount of land rendered impervious, and can reduce its adverse impacts, promoting a healthier environment through sound landuse planning and improved land management

Effects of Vegetated and Synthetic (Impervious) Surfaces on the Microclimate of Urban Area

The present paper shows the considerable impacts of both vegetated and synthetic surfaces on the microclimate of urban area. Vegetation of a particular place affects the microclimate through reduced solar radiation and lower air temperature due to shading and evapotranspiration. Lower air temperatures are essential both to improve thermal comfort conditions of residents and to limit energy use for cooling. The growth and spread of synthetic (impervious) surfaces within urbanizing areas pose significant threats to the quality of natural and built environments. These threats include increased stormwater runoff, reduced water quality, higher maximum summer temperatures, degraded, and destroyed aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and the diminished aesthetic appeal of streams and landscapes. This paper provides a basic introduction to microclimate, vegetated and impervious surfaces and an overview of the effects of increased imperviousness and vegetation on the microclimate of urban areas. Although urban and suburban growth is inevitable, many of the environmental impacts of impervious surfaces are avoidable or controllable. Working together, local governments and citizens can reduce the amount of land rendered impervious, and can reduce its adverse impacts, promoting a healthier environment through sound landuse planning and improved land management

Effect of depuration on microbial load of mangrove oyster (Crassostrea gasar) from a polluted creek in Rivers State, Nigeria

The efficiency of depuration in the removal of microbial load in mangrove oyster (Crassostrea gasar) from a polluted creek in Rivers State, Nigeria using a flow-through method with high loading density was evaluated in this study. Depuration experiments were conducted with cartridge-filtered and UV-light using seawater in segregated plastic tanks at a salinity of 30 ‰, pH of 8.0 and temperature of 29.0 °C. The oysters in segregated tanks were taken at intervals of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of depuration and analyzed for microbial load (total hetrotrophic bacteria, total fungi counts, hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi and feacal coliform counts). Results from the two-way ANOVA showed that time, method and season had significant effect on the microbial counts. At different locations, there was significant difference (P<0.05) at different time intervals of depuration for both seasons. The control for all the locations had the highest counts for depuration at both seasons. Notably between 24 and 48 hours of depuration for both seasons, no significant difference (P>0.05) on total fungi counts, feacal coliforms and hetrotrophic bacteria was recorded. This study depuration method at the different time interval is recommended.Keywords: Cleansing, contaminants, poisoning, food safety, Crassostrea gasa

Effect of depuration on heavy metal concentrations in periwinkle (Tympanatonus fuscastus) from a polluted creek in Rivers State, Nigeria

The efficiency of depuration in the removal of heavy metals in Periwinkle (Tympanatonus fuscastus) was evaluated in this study. Periwinkle in depuration tanks were taken at intervals of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of depuration and analyzed for these heavy metals: Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd). Results from the analyses shows that time, method and season has significant effect on heavy metals. At different location, there was significant difference at different time interval of depuration for both seasons. The control for all the locations had the highest count for depuration at both seasons. The concentration of Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn for depurated periwinkle at 24-96 hours was significantly different (P<0.05) from control for both rainy and dry season. Notably, at 96hours of depuration, these metals were reduced. The depuration of these contaminants on the shellfish was faster during rainy season than dry seasons brought about satisfactory results. This study depuration method at the different time intervals is suggested.Keywords: Heavy metals, purification, processing, pollutants, Tympanatonus fuscastu