Evaluation of phytoremediation potential of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Heyne Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit. and Crotolaria retusa Linn for waste oil contaminated soils

An ecological study was carried out to evaluate remediation potential of three hydrocarbon tolerant species (Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Heyne, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit., and Crotolaria retusa Linn) of Fabaceae plant family in relation to enzyme activity for cleaning up soils contaminated with waste oil hydrocarbon. Biochemical analyses were carried out using classical standard procedures to assess the level of enzyme expression in relation to hydrocarbon index assessment in remediation performance through a holistic test of significance using the PROC ANOVA and Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) procedures. Enzyme expression, oil removal and organic carbon sequestration of the species and the species treated soils showed that in pre-polluted soil foliar enzyme expression in the order Cr>Ll>Pp was high but reduction in post-polluted and post-phytoremediation soils in the order Cr>Ll>Pp. Generally, among species Peroxidase (POD) was higher in activity and expression than Polyphenoloxidase (PPO). The oil and grease recorded a lower content in the pre-pollution soil which increased in content in post-pollution with increase in pollution. However, the impact of phytoapplication has shown some significant (p<0.05) reduction in L. leucocephala soil in the order Ll<Pp<Cr but higher foliar content among the species in the order Ll>Pp>Cr at low enzyme expression in which P. pterocarpum had higher carbon content in the order Pp>Cr> Ll. The pre-pollution soil had a significantly lower carbon than post-polluted soils. The impact of phytoremediation has shown reduction in carbon content with P. pterocarpum treated soil significantly lower in content in the order Pp<Cr< Ll and higher foliar content in the order Pp>Cr> Ll. Thus by the forgoing trajectories and trend of indigenous enzymes, P. pterocarpum and L. leucocephala can thus be recommended as an integral component in any bioremediation technology package for waste oil polluted terrestrial environment.Keywords: Peroxidase, Polyphenoloxidase, Organic carbon, Oil & grease, Phytoapplicatio

Studying the Physico-edaphic and Hydraulic Conductivity of Phytoremediated Spent Oil Polluted Habitat

Several studies have recorded effect of spent lubricant oil pollution on soil properties. This study aims at evaluating the ecology of waste oil pollution and the impact of phytoremediation on soil hydraulic conductivity vis-à-vis some edaphic properties using three leguminous plants; with the objectives of performing field and laboratory study of such contamination and impact of phytoremediation on such properties as soil texture and structure, particle density, bulk density, porosity, organic matter content and total hydrocarbon content and hydraulic conductivity. Using classical and conventional methods to assess the performance of these plant species, result showed a trajectory influence across pollution levels on the soil edaphic properties culminating to decrease in hydraulic conductivity. With the impact of phytoapplication P. pterocarpum had greater particle size (87.73%) of sand, particle density of 2.61 g/cm3 with significant difference (P=0.05) than C. retusa and L. leucocephala treated soils. A significantly (P=0.05) lower bulk density (0.83 g/cm3), increased porosity (68%) and reduced organic matter content (2.65%) were recorded in P. pterocarpum treated soil. Total hydrocarbon reduction (1.8 mg/g) content and its equivalent potency of greater removal and reduction (0.43 mg/g), high efficiency of 55% and 34.40 bioaccumulation quotient and a lower crusting hazard (24.63%) of sealing with increased hydraulic conductivity (5.73 ml/s) were recorded in P. pterocarpum treated soil. By the foregoing potency P. pterocarpum could be suggested as a good biological measure in integrated environmental remediation programmes

IMPROVEMENT OF OIL PRODUCTION: CASE STUDY OF THREE WELLS IN NIGER DELTA

Formation damage is a major problem experienced in the operation and development of petroleum reservoir. Its occurrence, occasioned with the release of particles, water, emulsions or scales, hitherto impairs the hydrocarbon delivery/transport system. Formation or skin damage impedes flow of fluids into the wellbore and cause low permeability, hence reducing the productivity of the wells. The production loss directly reflects the economic loss due to formation damage. In the extreme, damage may cause the Well to be uneconomic and be shut-in. The objectives of this project was to determine Stimulation Candidate for three (3) Wells in the Niger Delta Oilfield, using the R ratios, stimulate the candidate wells and make comparison between the wells with regard to the Pre-Stimulation and Post-Stimulation analysis. An analytical method was used to calculate Productivity Index, PI; Permeability, K; Skin, S; Production Rate, q, R-Ratio and Pressure Drawdown, ΔP using data from Pressure build up test in well testing analysis using Miller-Dyes-Hutchinson(MDH) method before and after acidizing treatment. From obtained results, the flowrate increased from 2000 STB/Day to 2230 STB/Day, productivity index also increased from 3.74 STB/Day/psi to 9.78 STB/Day/psi for well 1, while for well 2, flowrate increased from 1132 STB/Day to 1170 STB/Day, productivity index also increased from 0.82 STB/Day/psi to 8.34 STB/Day/psi and well 3 flowrate increased from 1500 STB/Day to 1800 STB/Day, productivity index also increased from 4.12 STB/Day/psi to 6.91 STB/Day/psi

IMPROVEMENT OF OIL PRODUCTION: CASE STUDY OF THREE WELLS IN NIGER DELTA

Formation damage is a major problem experienced in the operation and development of petroleum reservoir. Its occurrence, occasioned with the release of particles, water, emulsions or scales, hitherto impairs the hydrocarbon delivery/transport system. Formation or skin damage impedes flow of fluids into the wellbore and cause low permeability, hence reducing the productivity of the wells. The production loss directly reflects the economic loss due to formation dama ge. In the extreme, damage may cause the Well to be uneconomic and be shut - in. The objectives of this project was to determine Stimulation C andidate for three (3) Wells in the Niger Delta Oilfield, using the R ratios, stimulate the candidate wells and make comparison between the wells with regard to the Pre - Stimulation and Post - Stimulation analysis. An analytical method was used to calculate Productivity Index, PI; Permeability, K; Skin, S; Production Rate, q, R - Ratio and Pressure Drawdown, ∆P using data fr om Pressure build up test in well testing analysis using Miller - Dyes - Hutchinson(MDH) method before and after acidizing treatment. From obtained results, the flowrate increased from 2000 STB/Day to 2230 STB/Day, productivity index also increased from 3.74 S TB/Day/psi to 9.78 STB/Day/psi for well 1, while for well 2, flowrate increased from 1132 STB/Day to 1170 STB/Day, productivity index also increased from 0.82 STB/Day/psi to 8.34 STB/Day/psi and well 3 flowrate increased from 1500 STB/Day to 1800 STB/Day, productivity index also increased from 4.12 STB/Day/psi to 6.91 STB/Day/psi

Incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among pregnant women in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

This study reports the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among 80 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Oluyoro Catholic Hospital (OCH), Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as the isolation and identification of the pathogens responsible for the infection. A total of 80 clean voided mid-stream urine samples were collected from pregnant women between the ages of 21-40 years. The results showed that the incidence of UTIs in this study population was 47.5%, and 38 bacterial isolates were identifiedbased on colonial morphology, microscopic characteristics, and biochemical tests. The most predominant bacterium was Escherichia coli 16 (42.1%). This was followed by Staphylococcus aureus 11 (28.9%), Klebsiella aerogenes 7 (18.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2 (5.3%), and a mixed culture of K. aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus 2 (5.3%). Urine microscopy revealed the presence of pus cells in 15 of the urine samples collected. Two urine samples, representing 2.5% of the samples, contained yeast cells, suggesting that candidiasis was also predominant. The high incidence of UTIs reported in this study should be of great concern, as not only do UTIs pose a threat to health, but they also impose an economic and social burden due to the stigma associated with these infections

Self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating, heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); nonscience major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value: <0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI: 5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%). Conclusions: This is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly, low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of selfmedication on student health

Effect of cyanide pre-treatment on activities of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase in seeds of Guifoylia monostylis

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