Litho-stratigraphic and hydrogeological evaluation of groundwater system in parts of Benin Metropolis, Benin City Nigeria: The key to groundwater sustainability

Previous studies revealed that soil properties play a significant role in aquifer contamination. Consequently, it is necessary to understand the nature and  properties of soil in carrying out groundwater evaluation. This study evaluates the subsurface geology and groundwater flow direction in Okpagha, Iguomo, Ikhueniro and Okhuahe suburbs in Benin City, Nigeria. Six boreholes were drilled by means of manual (rotary) method in different parts of the study area and each borehole was logged in order to  understand the lithology, depth to water table, static water level as well as flow direction. The results obtained show that aquifer within the study areas were confined, semi confined to unconfined and was dominated by sands with minor clay and lignite  interbed. It was observed that aquifer becomes shallower towards eastern portion of the study areas with increase in sand and decrease in clay  materials. It was also observed that groundwater flow map revealed a flow direction of North-West to South-East from North West to South East. The decrease in the depth of aquifer and increase in sand material could be explained by the  closeness to sea level. This phenomenon can enhance the infiltration of contaminants into aquifer thereby contaminating the groundwater bodies. It is therefore necessary to constantly monitor the groundwater quality in this suburbs in order to be aware of the quality of water resources being consumed because poor water quality can impact public health negatively. Furthermore, the authors advise that boreholes should be drilled in the direction of groundwater flow for maximum yieldKeywords: Groundwater, lithology, borehole, aquifer, water quality and contaminant

Chemical Compositions of Soils in Parts of Edo State, Southwest Nigeria and their Relationship to Soil Productivity

Thirty eight (38) soil samples taken from locations accessible to the Benin - Oluku - Ifon - Uzebba - Afuze - Auchi - Ukpilla - Okene highway, covering a distance of approximately 185 kilometres and an area of about 12,000 square kilometers were subjected to chemical and mineralogical analyses with a view to determining the variability of their fertility status within the rainforest and savannah vegetational zones. Results show that the soils of the area consist predominantly of quartz, kaolinite, feldspar and sesquioxides of aluminium and iron, including goethite. They are generally acidic with very low cation retention and buffering capacities. Higher concentrations of the major oxides MgO, CaO and K2O were recorded in soils of the savannah zone while the soils of the rainforest zone are relatively deficient in these oxides. A chemical productivity index (CPI) of MgO + CaO + K2O/Al2O3 is proposed for the soils of the area of study

Concentration and Environmental Implication of Heavy Metals in Surface Water in Aguobiri Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Geochemical analysis for Fe, Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Cr6+, Mn2+ and V2+ has been carried out on water samples collected from various location points in Aguobiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The analyses were done to determine the environmental status and suitability of the water in the area for drinking and domestic uses. Fifteen (15) water samples were collected from rivers, pond and boreholes located across the Aguobiri Community and analysed for heavy metals, bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters. The analytical results indicate the following ranges of concentrations for the heavy metals; Fe (0.01 \u2013 0.68mg/l) Cu2+ (0.001 \u2013 0.62mg/l) Pb2+ (<0.001 \u2013 0.48mg/l) Ni2+ (0.001 \u2013 0.06mg/l) Cr6+ (0.002 \u2013 0.042mg/l), Mn2+ (0.001 \u2013 0.176mg/l) and V2+ (0.002 \u2013 0.07mg/l) When compared with standards recommended by the various regulatory bodies most of the values, particularly the river samples are above the permissible limits. Consequently most of the water in the Aguobiri Community of Bayelsa State are considered not potable. Hence there is a need for holistic and sustainable monitoring and treatment of water before drinking in the area

Comparative study of Heavy Metals Distribution in a Mechanic Workshop and a Refuse Dumpsite in Oluku and Otofure Benin City, Edo State, Southwestern Nigeria.

A comparative study of heavy metals; Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Nickel, Cadmium and Mercury distribution was carried out in Oluku and Otofure both in Metropolitan Benin City, Edo State Nigeria with the view to determine the level of concentration and contribution of each site investigated. Thirty eight (38) soil samples were collected from and around mechanic workshop in Oluku and refuse dumpsite in Otofure at depths of 0 - 0.15m to 0.15 - 0.30m. They were carefully labelled in polythene bags and then taken to the laboratory for digestion and analysis using Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS). The results obtained were subjected to statistical treatment at P < 0.05 at 95% confidence level; the ultimate results were presented in mean \ub1 SD. A correlation coefficient range (r) of 0.63-0.94 at P < 0.001 two tailed was obtained suggesting a high relationship between the elements in the soil. By comparison, the results obtained show that mechanic workshop contributes more of the heavy metals assessed in the environment except for Cadmium whose concentration was found to be slightly higher in the refuse dumpsite

Engineering Behaviour of Cement-Treated Expansive Subgrade Soils from Awgu, Southeastern Nigeria

Engineering behaviour of cement-treated expansive soils refers to changes in the engineering properties of the soil in terms of reduction in values of swelling indicators and increase in values of strength characteristics of the soil when it is treated with various percentages of cement. In this study, engineering properties including liquid limit, plasticity index, linear shrinkage, maximum dry density/optimum moisture content, and California Bearing Ration (CBR) of expansive subgrade soils from Awgu, Southeastern Nigeria, were determined in the laboratory and their behaviour in terms of changes in the engineering properties on treatment with various percentages of cement (2,4,6,8 and 10) investigated. Results of the study show that liquid limit, plasticity index and linear shrinkage values of the treated soil were reduced while the maximum dry density and CBR values were increased. The maximum reduction percentages of 34.61% (56.60 to 37.01%), 72.89% (33.60 to 9.11%) and 46.51% (12.90 to 6.90%) in liquid limit, plasticity index and linear shrinkage, respectively; and maximum percent increase of 7.59% (1.58 to 1.70mg/m3, on maximum dry density), 236.36% (11 to 37%, on unsoaked CBR) and 800.00% (3 to 27%, on soaked CBR), were obtained on treatment of the soil with 8% cement by weight. The swelling indicators/parameters of the studied soil are liquid limit; plasticity index and linear shrinkage while the strength characteristics/parameters of the studied soil are maximum dry density and California Bearing Ratio (CBR). Treatment of the soil with cement has thus reduced its swelling potential from high to low and increased the strength significantly Keywords: Subgrade, expansive soils, cement treatment, plasticity characteristics, reduction percentage, strength characteristics, percent increase

Instrumental Approach and Diagnosis of Total Inorganics in a Typical Carbonaceous Matter

Typical Carbonaceous matter are often widespread and reveal relatively wide range of dominant organic types. The instrumental diagnosis to subject them to oxidation, combustion and/or incineration serve till date mandatory fundamental requirement in the further pursuance of their mineralogical and wet Chemical Analysis. The results of the Ash content from three (3) carbonaceous coal-and shaly coal samples from Northeastern England and Scottish fife show that the variation and/or the volatilization of the inherent sensitive elements are related to both the techniques and the sample composition. From the two techniques adopted, the high-and low-temperature methods the Ash values observed/obtained for Westfied shaly and Beaumont coal types are dependent on their derived material source-argillaceous and pure coal components. However, of the inorganic components (Ash) values that can be recovered from any carbonaceous matter, Radio-frequency method appears to suggest the accurate and reliable alternative for their subsequent geochemical appraisal

Chemical Compositions of Soils in Parts of Edo State, Southwest Nigeria and their Relationship to Soil Productivity

Thirty eight (38) soil samples taken from locations accessible to the Benin - Oluku - Ifon - Uzebba - Afuze - Auchi - Ukpilla - Okene highway, covering a distance of approximately 185 kilometres and an area of about 12,000 square kilometers were subjected to chemical and mineralogical analyses with a view to determining the variability of their fertility status within the rainforest and savannah vegetational zones. Results show that the soils of the area consist predominantly of quartz, kaolinite, feldspar and sesquioxides of aluminium and iron, including goethite. They are generally acidic with very low cation retention and buffering capacities. Higher concentrations of the major oxides MgO, CaO and K2O were recorded in soils of the savannah zone while the soils of the rainforest zone are relatively deficient in these oxides. A chemical productivity index (CPI) of MgO + CaO + K2O/Al2O3 is proposed for the soils of the area of study

Chemical Compositions of Soils in Parts of Edo State, Southwest Nigeria and their Relationship to Soil Productivity

Thirty eight (38) soil samples taken from locations accessible to the Benin - Oluku - Ifon - Uzebba - Afuze - Auchi - Ukpilla - Okene highway, covering a distance of approximately 185 kilometres and an area of about 12,000 square kilometers were subjected to chemical and mineralogical analyses with a view to determining the variability of their fertility status within the rainforest and savannah vegetational zones. Results show that the soils of the area consist predominantly of quartz, kaolinite, feldspar and sesquioxides of aluminium and iron, including goethite. They are generally acidic with very low cation retention and buffering capacities. Higher concentrations of the major oxides MgO, CaO and K2O were recorded in soils of the savannah zone while the soils of the rainforest zone are relatively deficient in these oxides. A chemical productivity index (CPI) of MgO + CaO + K2O/Al2O3 is proposed for the soils of the area of study

Concentration and Environmental Implication of Heavy Metals in Surface Water in Aguobiri Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Geochemical analysis for Fe, Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Cr6+, Mn2+ and V2+ has been carried out on water samples collected from various location points in Aguobiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The analyses were done to determine the environmental status and suitability of the water in the area for drinking and domestic uses. Fifteen (15) water samples were collected from rivers, pond and boreholes located across the Aguobiri Community and analysed for heavy metals, bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters. The analytical results indicate the following ranges of concentrations for the heavy metals; Fe (0.01 – 0.68mg/l) Cu2+ (0.001 – 0.62mg/l) Pb2+ (<0.001 – 0.48mg/l) Ni2+ (0.001 – 0.06mg/l) Cr6+ (0.002 – 0.042mg/l), Mn2+ (0.001 – 0.176mg/l) and V2+ (0.002 – 0.07mg/l) When compared with standards recommended by the various regulatory bodies most of the values, particularly the river samples are above the permissible limits. Consequently most of the water in the Aguobiri Community of Bayelsa State are considered not potable. Hence there is a need for holistic and sustainable monitoring and treatment of water before drinking in the area

Comparative study of Heavy Metals Distribution in a Mechanic Workshop and a Refuse Dumpsite in Oluku and Otofure Benin City, Edo State, Southwestern Nigeria.

A comparative study of heavy metals; Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Nickel, Cadmium and Mercury distribution was carried out in Oluku and Otofure both in Metropolitan Benin City, Edo State Nigeria with the view to determine the level of concentration and contribution of each site investigated. Thirty eight (38) soil samples were collected from and around mechanic workshop in Oluku and refuse dumpsite in Otofure at depths of 0 - 0.15m to 0.15 - 0.30m. They were carefully labelled in polythene bags and then taken to the laboratory for digestion and analysis using Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS). The results obtained were subjected to statistical treatment at P < 0.05 at 95% confidence level; the ultimate results were presented in mean ± SD. A correlation coefficient range (r) of 0.63-0.94 at P < 0.001 two tailed was obtained suggesting a high relationship between the elements in the soil. By comparison, the results obtained show that mechanic workshop contributes more of the heavy metals assessed in the environment except for Cadmium whose concentration was found to be slightly higher in the refuse dumpsite