Effects of heavy metals on some proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes

Effects of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) on the total chlorophyll, foliar proline, and protein and starch contents of Eichhornia crassipes was investigated. Plantlets were grown in quarter-strength Hoagland's solution and supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM of each of the metals for 3 weeks. There was a significant reduction (p≤0.05) in total chlorophyll, protein and starch contents, while foliar proline increased significantly. These effects were however dependent on the nature of the metal, its concentration and duration of exposure. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 83-8

Toxicity assessment of treated effluents from a textile industry in Lagos, Nigeria

Water pollution caused by industrial effluent discharges has become a worrisome phenomenon due to its impact on environmental health and safety. Textile industries contribute immensely to surface water deterioration and are categorized among the most polluting in all industrial sectors. For this reason, the toxicity of treated textile effluent was assessed in Celossia argentea by exposing them to effluent-polluted surface water from Ibeshe River. In the present study, parameters investigated includes, growth, photosynthetic pigment content, lipid peroxidation, and metal accumulation. The results showed that treated textile effluent from Nichemtex Company, affected the growth, dry biomass, root development and photosynthetic pigment content of C. argentea. The treated effluent caused 41% growth inhibition while the total chlorophyll decreased by 59.87% in relation to the control plants. Furthermore, it also elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation and heavy metals in the plant. It was therefore implicated that treated textile effluent entering Ibeshe River could cause toxic effects on organisms. It was emphasized that using the water for irrigation and as portable water in its present state is unsafe.Key words: Textile effluent, toxicity, surface waters, growth inhibition, Celosia argentea

Human Capital Development and the Nigerian Economy: A Dynamic Specification

We employed the autoregressive distributed lag [ARDL] model. This was estimated based on the Bound co-integration technique. We indeed attempted to shed light to relationship between human capital development and economic growth in Nigeria.  Thus, while it cannot be concluded that human capital development has significant contribution to economic growth in Nigeria because both variables of education and health were not found to be jointly significant, it can be concluded that education has contributed significantly and positively to economic growth in Nigeria in the long run. The finding thus holds that education is a catalyst for influencing economic growth in Nigeria. This finding is in line with theory. Therefore, policymakers should take imperative steps in embarking on strategic education in Nigeria with emphasis on secondary schools. Key words: Human capital, GDP growth, Nigeria, ARDL model, education, health

Analysis of Past West Africa Examination Council / Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Physics Essay Test Items Parameters: Application of IRT Polytomous Model

The study aimed at determining the quality of the WAEC SSCE Physics essay test items for 2015, 2016 and 2017, if they are acceptable when the item response theory(IRT) Polytomous model is applied. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and sampled 1000 senior secondary school students from the 27,615 students who registered for the 2018 senior school certificate physics examination in Delta State, Nigeria. Findings revealed that most of the May/June WAEC SSCE Physics essay test items for year 2015, 2016 and 2017 are not acceptable when the item response theory (IRT) Polytomous model is applied among as presented in this study. It was therefore recommended that test developers should always ensure proper test items validation before use. Keywords: Parameters, IRT, Polytomous Model, Test Items, WAEC, Physics, Essay Test. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-17-04 Publication date:June 30th 201

Assessment of Public Perspectives on Quality Control Measures in Public Water Supply in Oyo state, Nigeria

The study determined whether there were differences in public evaluation and perception of quality control measures adopted by a public water agency in Oyo State, Nigeria on the basis of some socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status and socio-economic background. It used a sample of 350 respondents (187 males and 163 females) spread across four local government areas in Oyo State. The  major instrument used was a questionnaire while data analysis employed frequency counts and t-test statistics. Result showed that there were no significant differences in public perception of quality control measures adopted by the public water agency on the basis of the aforementioned factors. The result raises some fundamental issues that are connected with the quality of water supplied for public uses. It underscored the need to enhance a high quality in public water supply. The paper further went to proffer solutions on how to sustain safe water supplyin Nigerian cities: @ JASE

Effects of heavy metals on some proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes

Effects of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) on the total chlorophyll, foliar proline, and protein and starch contents of Eichhornia crassipes was investigated. Plantlets were grown in quarter-strength Hoagland's solution and supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM of each of the metals for 3 weeks. There was a significant reduction (p 640.05) in total chlorophyll, protein and starch contents, while foliar proline increased significantly. These effects were however dependent on the nature of the metal, its concentration and duration of exposure

Public Perception of Potable Water Supply in Abeokuta South west, Nigeria

The perception of residents towards the supply of potable water to  Abeokuta was assessed with the aid of questionnaire. Well-structured interviewer administered questionnaire were distributed across the city through the stratified random sampling method using the network  distribution map obtained from the Ogun State Water Corporation as guide. Sixty – eight per cent of the respondents attested that the quality of the water supplied was unsatisfactory while 36% agreed that they had contacted water related diseases as a result of the consumption of drinking water obtained from public taps. Sixty – five per cent of the respondents use less than 120 litres of water daily, while 77% attested that the water supplied did not meet their daily demand. Only 39% of the respondents who relied on water from alternative sources subjected the water to  treatment before usage. It was advised that issues of inadequate water supply and coverage area be addressed speedily and residents should subject water obtained from alternative sources to treatment. The  Corporation was also advised to pay attention to the state of infrastructureacross the distribution network.KEYWORDS: questionnaire, quality, potable water, distribution network

The Effect Of Used Engine Oil On Carbohydrate, Mineral Content And Nitrate Reductase activity Of Leafy Vegetable ( Amaranthus Hybridus L.)

The effects of used engine oil on carbohydrate, mineral elements and nitrate reductase activity of Amaranthus Hybridus were investigated. Seedlings were grown for 8 weeks in soil containing 0-5 % v/w used engine oil. There was a significant (p=0.05) low level of mineral elements in plants grown in oil treated soils. The carbohydrate content of the control plants was significantly higher than the values observed for plants grown in oil treated soils. The control plants had a mean value of 48.3 \ub1 0.5 \u3bcg g-1 dry wt, while 42.0 \ub1 1.0 and 30.9 \ub1 0.4 \u3bcg g- 1 dry wt were observed for plants treated with 1 and 5 % oil. There was significant inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity in plants that were exposed to engine oil. Therefore, the potential risk of used engine oil as potent environmental pollutant has been established from the results of this study

Rapid Assessment of the Water Chemistry of Public Water Supply in Abeokuta, SouthWest Nigeria

The study examined the water supply situation in Abeokuta, with emphasis on the quality of water distributed by the Ogun State Water Corporation from the treatment plant of the Abeokuta Water Scheme. Water samples were collected from standpipes (taps) across the city randomly selected using the stratified random sampling method and was analysed for physical and chemical parameters: pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, nitrate, bicarbonate, sulphate and chloride. The result of the physical and chemical parameters was subjected to statistical analyses using the multivariate t-test. The result of the treated water was further compared with the result of the analyses of raw water obtained from the source of water used in the treatment plant

Evaluation of Seasonal Water Quality of Drinking Water in Six Residential Estates across Ogun State in Nigeria

The use of water to satisfy human without any health risk necessitates the need for assessment of  potable water quality for human consumption. Water samples were collected across six selected housing estates for two consecutive dry and wet seasons within Ogun State, and their parameters such as TDS, EC, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni were analysed for quality assessment. On spot analysis was carried out for the in-situ parameters using HANNAH water kit. The water samples were digested in triplicates for each estate, and analysed with AAS for the selected heavy metals (HMs). The obtained data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics, and the obtained values were compared with WHO, NIS and NESREA standards to ascertain the water quality and potability. Concentrations (mg/ L) of the analysed parameters ranged as TDS: 56.00 ± 10.44 to 162.07 ± 9.81, Cd: 0.01 ± 0.00 to 0.16 ± 0.10, Pb: 0.16 ± 0.02 to 1.69 ± 0.10, Fe: 0.04 ± 0.04 to 4.75 ± 0.21, and Ni: 0.04 ± 0.02 to 0.85 ± 0.04. The EC (µS/ cm) ranged from 42.82 ± 10.59 to 499.12 ± 31.20. The water quality showed seasonal variations, more polluted in the wet season than dry season, which can be attributed to storage tanks, piping systems and runoff from drainages, residential wastes, and the neighbouring small scale industrial activities. The research suggests water treatment for the consumers to get safe water of potable quality