Evaluation of the impact of crude oil spillage on soil and cassava plant (Manihot esculenta) in Uzere, Isoko south LGA of Delta State Nigeria.

An evaluation of the impact of crude oil spillage on soil, cassava tubers and leaves in Uzere (contaminated site) and Ekrejeta (control site) communities of Delta State were carried out. Three representative soil samples, cassava tubers and leaves were collected from three different points within each study site and determined in triplicates. Physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total hydrocarbon contents (THC) of soil, heavy metal content and PAHs in cassava tubers and leaves were determined using standard analytical methods. Parameters determined include pH, conductivity, nitrate, sulphate, PAHs and THC as well as concentration of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe) in both soil and cassava samples. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average heavy metals detected in the soil include iron (Fe) 989.11mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) 1.50mg/kg, chromium (Cr) 8.26mg/kg, nickel (Ni) 3.92mg/kg, zinc (Zn) 10.04mg/kg, lead (Pb) 7.08mg/kg while average heavy metal detected in cassava tubers and leaf samples include lead (Pb) 3.13 and 3.22mg/kg, iron (Fe) 69.23 and 62.45mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) 0.00 and 0.22mg/kg, nickel (Ni) 2.73 and 6.38mg/kg, zinc (Zn) 14.04 and 32.72mg/kg respectively. The average pH of soil samples from the test site (Uzere) was 5.5, conductivity 58.67µs/cm. The average PAHs content of the soil was 0.17mg/kg. THC of 151.83mg/kg was detected in the soil. These findings suggest that the study site is heavily impacted by the crude oil spillage. Keywords: Soil, cassava tubers, cassava leaves, physicochemical parameters, heavy metal

Anti-Oxidant Protective Effects of Cassia alata in Rats Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride

The protective activity of Cassia alata against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced hepatotoxicity in rats was assessed. Crude extracts of petals of the plant in 0.5% ethanol were administered by intubation for 14 days prior to injection of 0.5ml Kg-1 CCl4 into the rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, 18 hours after CCl4 administration, decreased significantly (P 64 0.05) in rats treated with the extracts than in CCl4 - treated rats only. These findings suggest that Cassia alata may be protective against hepatotoxin-induced liver damage in rats.@JASE

Physico-chemical properties of soil polluted with petroleum crankcase oil and chlorophyll concentration of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra).

Effect of petroleum crankcase oil (PCO) on soil physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll content of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) was investigated. Garden topsoil was collected from Obingwu, Ohii in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria tested for soil physico-chemical parameters, weighed and polluted with different volumes of PCO to give the various percentage pollutions. Five viable seeds of A. esculentus were planted in each. An unpolluted soil sample served as the control for the investigation. Harvest of the leaves and fruits was done immediately after fruiting and taken to the laboratory for the assessment of soil physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll concentration. Results obtained for soil pH and soil phosphate show there was no significant difference (p>0.05) at the various levels of PCO pollution. However, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the percentage moisture content and calcium carbonate with respective increase in PCO pollution while a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in organic carbon, nitrogen and chlorophyll content of the PCO polluted samples when compared with the control. Furthermore, at 6% PCO pollution, only two seeds sprouted and leaf growth was not sustained till the end of the experiment. These results indicate that soil physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll concentration of A. esculentus leaves were responsive to the detrimental effects of PCO in areas where it is disposed indiscriminately. Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus, pollution, petroleum crankcase oil (PCO), soil, chlorophyll

Anti-Oxidant Protective Effects of Cassia alata in Rats Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride

The protective activity of Cassia alata   against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced hepatotoxicity in rats was assessed. Crude extracts of petals of the plant in 0.5% ethanol were administered by intubation for 14 days prior to injection of 0.5ml Kg-1 CCl4 into the rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, 18 hours after CCl4 administration, decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in rats treated with the extracts than in CCl4 - treated rats only. These findings suggest that Cassia alata may be protective against hepatotoxin-induced liver damage in rats.@JASE

Effects of aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaf on some liver function parameters of albino rats

No Abstract. IJONAS Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 200-20