Distribution of trace metals in parts of stock fish marketed in three markets around Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This research was carried out to determine the distribution of trace metals in parts (head and tail) of stock fish marketed in three markets around Port Harcourt (Rumuokoro, Choba and Alakahia markets). Iron (Fe) concentration values was the highest in all the fish samples (ranging from 0.98-3.09 mg/kg) while Nickel was below the detection limit with exception of the fish head sample obtained from Alakahia market (0.003 mg/kg). The concentration of the heavy metals were below the recommended limit suggested by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), European Union Commission (EU/EC), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Federal Protection Agency (FEPA) with the exception of cadmium (Cd) in the fish head samples (0.061 and 0.081 mg/kg) obtained from the Choba and Alakahia markets which were above the EU recommended limits (0.05 mg/kg)

Application of multiple sediment quality guidelines in the assessment of Oron Channel sediment

The concentration of heavy metals in fresh water sediments from Oron Channel was investigated over a 2-year period (2015 to 2016). The concentration of Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The trace metals concentrations ranged over the following values: Cr: 4.90 – 5.36mg/kg; Cu: 0.17 – 0.22mg/kg; Fe: 103.94 – 109.65mg/kg; Ni: 1.03 – 1.11mg/kg; Pb: 0.02 -0.02mg/kg; Zn: 12.02 – 12.67 for the first year (2015) and Cr: 6.09 – 7.16mg/kg; Cu: 0.129 -0.33mg/kg; Fe: 196.23 – 199.02mg/kg; Ni: 156.26 – 158.63mg/kg; Pb: 0.02 – 0.045mg/kg; Zn: 13.04 – 13.52mg/kg for the second year (2016) while the concentrations of Hg and Cd were undetected at a detection limit of 0.001mg/kg in both years. The mean metal concentration in the period was in the order: Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb and Fe > Ni > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb respectively. The mean metal concentration of all detected metals increased between the first and second year with a 7.5% increase in Zn and a 14576.64% in Ni. The sediment was assessed with respect to heavy metal content using the USEPA sediment quality guideline and the Consensus-Based sediment quality guideline (CBSQG).Keywords: Sediment, Heavy metals, Oron channel, Pollutio

Trace metal levels in various Oryza sativa brands sold in Nigeria

Levels of selected trace metals namely Cadmium, Lead, Nickel and Iron in local and imported brands of rice popularly consumed in Nigeria were investigated to ascertain their toxicity levels in the brands. Lead and Nickel were found to be well above safety levels of 1.5mg/kg and 0.2mg/kg respectively as specified by world health organization (WHO) while all the brands were safe from cadmium and iron toxicity. The results obtained for cadmium were comparable with the findings of other researchers, while our results for Lead, Nickel and Iron were higher than results obtained by other researchers. The local brands’ mean concentration for lead showed 9.5toxicity above safety levels while imported brand showed 4.6 toxicity above safety levels. In the local and foreign rice brand, nickel was found to be 31.2 and 85.8 respectively more toxic relative to accepted safety levels. Regular consumers of rice (local and imported) must be cautious to avoid health challenges associated with Lead and Nickel toxicity. Conversely rice (local and imported) brands need to be fortified with other related food supplement to balance their cadmium and iron deficiency.Keywords: Trace Metals, Toxicity, Rice Brands, Chronic Disease

Characterization of chitosan from Rhynchophorus phoenicis and synthesis of its alumina nanocomposite

Rhynchophorus phoenicis, found in the tropical regions of Africa where it is regarded as a pest was used to synthesize chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composite. The synthesized Chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composite were characterized using instrumental methods of analysis which include Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). FTIR reveals the existence of OH stretching vibration –NH stretching, NH bonding, vibration of methylene C-H bonding, O=C=O stretching, C-N bonding stretching and CO stretching vibration at 3842.33 cm-1, 3402.54 cm-1, 3286.81 cm-1, 2939.61 cm-1, 1527.67 cm-1, 1303.92 cm-1 and 1041.60 cm-1 respectively. The scanning electron micrograph proves that the chitosan has large particles that are regular with paltry pores while alumina-chitosan nano-composite has fairly small particles and porous surface with significant pores. X-ray diffractogram showed a distinct stretch at 22o; 16o and 25o; 17o for chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composite. The characterization of the products confirmed that the synthesis of chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composiote was effective

Chemical fingerprinting and diagnostic ratios of Agbada-1 oil spill impacted sites in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Detailed compositional analysis by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) was employed to elucidate an oil spill in the Niger delta by fingerprinting technique. Distribution patterns of normal alkanes and isoprenoids show nC8 to nC40 petroleum hydrocarbons. The diagnostic ratios such as Pr/Ph ranged from 1.52 to 2.17; Pr/nC17 ranged from 0.31 to 0.51; Ph/nC18 ranged from 0.14 to 0.99; nC25/nC18 ranged from 0.93 to 3.52; CPI ranged from 0.97 to 1.13; (Pr + nC17)/(Ph + nC18) ranged from 1.10 to 2.25; Ph/anth ranged from 0.28 to 1.11; BaA/Ch ranged from 0.57 to 2.90; Fl/Py ranged from 1.24 to 2.90. The ratio Fl/Py which is greater than unity (>1) is an indication of the petrogenic source of PAHs. Statistical analyses such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis were also applied as supporting tools. PCA loadings and scores plots carried out on selected parameters obtained from the analysis of the oil spill show that PC1 and PC2 together represented 95.4% (55.8% and 39.6% respectively) of the variability. The high similarity level of the results obtained from the cluster analysis which is 98%, shows that the spilled oil originated from a common source

Identification and quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metal analyses in soils around the Donald Ekong Library Car Park, University of Port Harcourt

The outcome of analysis of the levels of PAHs and trace metal in soils around Donald Ekong library car park at University of Port Harcourt shows that its heavy metal contents is high relative to the DPR standard in soils. With the exception of Vanadium, all other selected heavy metal in mg/kg was detected in the soil samples. The selected trace metals and concentration in mg/kg are Cd (0.15), Pb (13.10), Zn (34.75), Fe (30.73), Cr (5.73), and Ni (9.45) relative to their respective Department of petroleum resources standards (mg/kg) which are 0.01, 0.05, 1.0, 1.0, 0.03 and 0.10 respectively. Twelve PAHs were detected while four PAHs were not detected. The carcinogenic and high molecular weight PAHs were all detected while some of the low molecular weight PAHs were not detected or were detected at very small concentration. The higher solubility and volatility of the lower molecular weight PAHs are responsible for this trend of PAHs distribution. There is need to use proper soil remediation strategy for restoration of the soil in line with the appropriate permissible limits for heavy metal and PAHs in soil, which are both (as they are) above their respective permissible limit.Keywords: PAHs, Soil, Heavy Metal, Quantificatio