The possible effect of the bioaccumulation of disinfectant by-products on crops irrigated with treated wastewater

The shortage of potable water for irrigation of food crops in semi-arid developing countries led to the use of alternative sources of water. Wastewater is gaining importance for productive use in agriculturethroughout the world. A widely used and efficient method to reduce the occurrence of waterborne diseases in numerous wastewater plants is water chlorination. In early 1970s, some volatile halogenated organic compounds such as chloroform were identified in chlorinated surface waters containing high levels of natural organic material. Generally, the trihalomethanes (THMs), including chloroform, bromodicholoromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform were the most prevalent in chlorinated surface water. Predominant research studies focused on the carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of these compounds in treated wastewater. But little attention was paid to how these compounds in treatedwastewater could affect crop performance in agriculture, physiological changes amongst crop varieties and the build-up of these organic compounds in edible plant tissues with persistent use of treated waste-water. A probable reason for this was the absence of the practice of wastewater irrigation in food crop agriculture in the past. Current knowledge on the trihalomethanes and possible plant interactions with this group of volatile organic compounds are assessed in this review

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BUSHMEAT TRADE IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

This paper examines bushmeat trade in Abeokuta comprising of Abeokuta north and south LG areas of Ogun State. Forty-five (45) respondents were accidentally selected across the two local government areas. The respondents were involved in bushmeat trade at three different levels. There were hunters (31%), ethno-medicine sellers (49%) and bushmeat sellers (20%). The result of the study revealed that majority (69%) of the traders were female. Also, 87% of the respondents had poor education. Therefore respondents could not keep record of their transactions, but from qualitative and quantitative analysis of the profitability of the business, the trade may be described as profitable (89%). An estimate of average annual profit of the trade in the study area was N453,004.  Other benefit though insignificant is that of protein supplement of the family (8%) derived from the trade. Major constraint of the business is the seasonal fluctuation of supply (85%) which affects income of respondents. However, a total of  11 common species of wild animals were traded, therefore it is recommended that conservation policy in terms of educational programme that target hunters and sellers, in order to sensitize them on the danger of indiscriminate harvesting of the animals must be put in place along with improved domestication effort.Â

Protective Roles of Adansonia digitata (African Baobab), Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) Supplemented Diets against Cadmium-Induced Lipotoxicity, Bone Demineralization, and Cytotoxicity in Rabbits

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective roles of Adansonia digitata (African baobab) Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro),  on lipid profile, bone health, and selected organs (liver, kidney, brain, and testis) against cadmium-induced toxicity in rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were grouped into five with four rabbits in each group. Group 1 served as positive control and received standard feed and 1.5 mg/kg body weight normal saline, group 2 served as negative control and were exposed to 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride, group 3 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium Adansonia digitata supplemented feed, group 4 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Citrullus lanatus supplemented feed, while group 5 were given 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Abelmoschus esculentus supplemented feed. All administrations were orally and lasted for 28 days. At the end of the administration, blood, liver, kidney, brain, and testes were harvested from the rabbits for biochemical and histological analysis. One-way analysis of variance followed by Turkey’s test was used to analyze the results with p < 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed that cadmium exposure caused a significant increase in serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and atherogenic index in rabbits exposed to cadmium. Cadmium exposure also reduced bone calcium concentration. Adansonia digitata maintained the atherogenic index of plasma at 2.67 compared with the positive control group (2.66). The three vegetables reversed the cadmium-induced up-regulation of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in the liver, kidney, and brain but not in the testis. All the vegetables also restored bone calcium. Citrullus lanatus and Abelmoschus esculentus prevented organ damage induced by cadmium exposure. These vegetables however play different protective roles against cadmium exposed rabbits

An evaluation of metal removal during wastewater treatment: The potential to achieve more stringent final effluent standards

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2011 Taylor & Francis.Metals are of particular importance in relation to water quality, and concern regarding the impact of these contaminants on biodiversity is being encapsulated within the latest water-related legislation such as the Water Framework Directive in Europe and criteria revisions to the Clean Water Act in the United States. This review undertakes an evaluation of the potential of 2-stage wastewater treatment consisting of primary sedimentation and biological treatment in the form of activated sludge processes, to meet more stringent discharge consents that are likely to be introduced as a consequence. The legislation, sources of metals, and mechanisms responsible for their removal are discussed, to elucidate possible pathways by which the performance of conventional processes may be optimized or enhanced. Improvements in effluent quality, achievable by reducing concentrations of suspended solids or biochemical oxygen demand, may also reduce metal concentrations although meeting possible requirements for the removal of copper my be challenging

The same but different: Understanding entrepreneurial behaviour in disadvantaged communities

While entrepreneurship is widely viewed as being equally accessible in all contexts, it could be questioned if potential or nascent entrepreneurs from minority and disadvantaged communities experience entrepreneurship in a similar manner to the mainstream population. This chapter examines immigrant, people with disability, youth, gay and unemployed communities to explore how their entrepreneurial behaviour might differ from the practices of mainstream entrepreneurs. What emerges is that marginalised communities can frequently find it difficult to divorce business from social living. This can have both positive and negative connotations for an entrepreneur, plus they face additional and distinctive challenges that mainstream entrepreneurs do not experience. The chapter concludes by proposing a novel ‘funnel approach’ that policymakers might adopt when seeking to introduce initiatives targeted at these disadvantaged communities

A Diet-induced Atherosclerosis in Rabbit Model Provides an Insight into Essential Elements Concentrations in Cardiovascular Disease

Aim: To assess the effect of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis on essential minerals. Study Design: Animal model was used for this study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of biochemistry and department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. January, 2012 to October, 2012. Methodology: We included 8 white rabbits which were divided into 2 groups, 1 (control i.e. rabbits given normal diet) and 2 (rabbits given standard diet plus 0.2% cholesterol and 0.6% groundnut oil i.e. atherogenic diet). Feeding was for 8 weeks. The minerals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer; lipids and lipoproteins were determined spectrophotometrically while the effects of atherosclerosis on heart and kidneys were determined chemically and histologically. Results: The results showed elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol (4.05%), triglyceride (28%), high density lipoproteins (12.17%), very low density lipoprotein (70%) in atherosclerotic group when compared with control. Atherosclerosis caused decreased serum concentrations of copper (13.88%), manganese (23%), iron (26.46%) in atherosclerotic group when compared with control. Atherosclerosis induced elevated serum concentrations of zinc (47.34%), chromium (37.21%), calcium (72.04%) and magnesium (125.13%). Except for chromium, significant positive correlations were observed between serum cholesterol and trace elements. Induction of atherosclerosis resulted in impaired renal function shown by elevated concentrations of urea (34.80%) and creatinine (147.54%). Renal histology showed cellular necrosis of the epithelial squamous cells. In the aorta and brachiocephalis of the atherogenic diet fed rabbits, there were large number of smooth muscle like cells and focal aggregation of foam cells resulting in intima thickness. Conclusion: This study further emphasized the monitoring of systemic concentrations of essential minerals in cardiovascular disorder as this may prevent occurrence of another pathologic condition

Role of financial and other information in trade credit decisions in SMEs: An international study

Trade credit is an important source of finance for SMEs and this study investigates the use of the financial statements and other information in making trade credit decisions in smaller entities in Finland, the UK, USA and South Africa. The study adds to the literature by examining the information needs of unincorporated entities as a basis for making comparisons with small, unlisted companies. In-depth, semi-structured interviews in each country were used to collect data from the owner-managers of SMEs and from credit rating agencies and credit insurers. The findings provide insights into similarities and differences between countries and between developed and developing economies. The evidence suggests that there are three main influences on the trade credit decision: formal and report-based information, soft information relating to social capital and contingency factors. The latter dictate the extent to which hard/formal information versus soft/informal information is used

Benzo[a]pyrene and Benzo[k]fluoranthene in Some Processed Fish and Fish Products

In this study, the concentration levels of the probable carcinogenic PAH fractions, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[k]fluoranthrene (BkF) in fillets of some processed fish species were investigated. Fish species comprising Merluccius poli (hake), Tyrsites atun (snoek), Seriola lalandi (yellow-tail) and Brama brama (angel fish) were bought in fish shops at Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. The fish were gutted, filleted and prepared for edibility by frying, grilling and boiling. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were extracted from each homogenized fish sample, cleaned-up using solid phase extraction (SPE), and analysed for the PAH fractions, BaP and BkF using a Gas Chromatograph coupled with a Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The sum of the two PAHs (∑2PAH) i.e., BaP and BkF ranged between 0.56 and 1.46 µg/kg, in all boiled, grilled and fried fish species. The fried fish extracts showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) abundance of ∑2PAH, than grilled and boiled fish. Dietary safety and PAHs toxicity was also discussed

Selected heavy metals as indices of atmospheric pollution in African locust bean (parkia biglobosa) tree barks

Metallurgical industries are pollution “hot spots” for emission of dust, particulates of heavy metals and gaseous contaminants at levels that can be injurious to man and environment. The atmospheric levels of selected heavy metals around Ajaokuta Steel Company Nigeria were assessed using barks of Parkia biglobosa trees. The tree barks were randomly collected during wet and dry seasons, sorted and digested according to standard methods. Heavy metals were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Unicam 969, UK). The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metals in P. biglobosa tree barks were 33.23±5.03, 12.98±1.24, 3.65±0.69, 1.65±0.36, 1.20±1.16, 0.55±0.10 and 0.33±0.16 for Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr and Cd respectively. The concentration distribution sequence in barks are in the order Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd. Zn with the highest level ranged between 26.39±5.24 and 40.93±4.64 mg kg−1 relative to other metals. There was significant difference (p <0.005) between metals’ concentration in tree barks during the dry and the wet seasons, with Zn and Mn showing about 5-15% variation, while corresponding values for Cd, Cr and Pb were not significantly different