Distribution of Lead and total Hydrocarbon in Tissues of Periwinkles ( Tympanotonus fuscatus and Pachymelania aurita) in the upper Bonny River, Nigeria

The concentrations of lead and total hydrocarbons in the tissues of the periwinkles Tympanotonus fuscatus and Pachymelania aurita from the upper Bonny River were determined. The highest mean values of lead and total hydrocarbons were 9.45mg/g and 1242.19mg/g respectively. The results showed higher concentrations of lead and hydrocarbons in the creeks than in the open river. The concentrations of lead and total hydrocarbons measured at the control site were lower than the concentrations measured at the study sites. The concentrations of Pb and THC were generally higher in the shells than in the tissues of periwinkles in the study areas. T - tests showed no significant difference in concentration between tissues and shells of the organism with high correlations (P < 0.05, r = 0.9947 for Pb and P > 0.05, r = 0.9611 for THC). The relationships between the concentrations of Pb and THC in the tissues and shells were observed to follow linear and polynomial regression equations. The levels of Pb and THC were higher along the main river than the creeks as a result of dilution and flushing effects of current and volume of water. The levels of lead and total hydrocarbons in the periwinkles were attributed to emissions from automobiles using leaded gasoline for both land and sea transportation in addition to effluents, oil spills and surface coatings from moving and abandoned engine boats as well as industrial and domestic wastes containing metal parts and hydrocarbons. @JASE

Elemental Composition Analysis of Soil Samples from Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

This study analysis the elemental composition and concentration of elements in the soils of the study area to ascertain degree of elemental enhancement in the soil resulting from anthropogenic activities with possible soil contamination, human health and environmental detriment. The study area was divided into eight grids and two soil samples per grid from over burden to a depth of 900mm was collected randomly in each grid. The samples were prepared using standard methods and analyzed with a linear accelerator. The number of detectable elements and their quantitative information was extracted from the elemental spectral signatures. . The result showed a high concentration value in some elements in the soil samples above values of elemental concentrations in soils from other reported studied region. In addition, Aluminium, Strontium, Barium, Gallium etc also showed an extremely high value in their concentration that exceeds the world wide mean range upper limit values in crustal soil study published. The study indicates some degree of potential contamination and therefore necessitate a regular periodic monitoring study to reduce potential health detriment to humans and the environment to as low as reasonably possible

Concentrations of heavy metals in soil and water receiving used engine oil in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soils and water receiving used engine oil were investigated. Soil and water samples were collected at discharge and control points at each study site. The heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results show that about 80% of used engine oil was disposed of directly into the environment and 20% was recycled via use in civil works. The concentrations of metals in test soil and water samples exceeded permissible limits. The concentrations of heavy metals ranged from 20 µg/g (Ni) to 493 µg/g (Pb) in soil and 0.019 mg/l (Ni) to 0.147 mg/l (Pb) in water. It was suggested that curbside collection and re-refining of used engine oil should be encouraged and appropriate legislation should also be put in place to prevent widespread pollution of the environment by these metal ions