Assessment of the Implications of Coal Post-mining Impact on Surface Water at Abandoned Okpara mine in Enugu State

This study examines the coal post-mining impact on surface water at abandoned Okpara mine in Enugu State. Experimental research design was adopted to test the water quality. The water samples were collected and analysed to determine the level of pollution. Hhypotheses were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the treatment means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). The result of the test of hypothesis one shows that there is no significant difference in the parameters of the water samples within months. For all the parameters, α-significant at P≤0.05 fall within .207 and .995. DMRT shows that with the exception of temperature, that there is significant difference in other parameters of the water samples collected at different stations. For the parameters, alpha (α) is significant at P≤0.05. The result also shows that with the exception of Lead (Pb), that there is significant difference (p≤0.05) in the heavy metals found in the water samples collected at different stations. The total viable count (TVC) of the bacteria Pseudomonas aurogenosa and Bacillus substilis were 9.0×103cfu/ml and 1.2×104cfu/ml for the month of July, while in the month of August it was 9.0×103cfu/ml and 1.3×104cfu/ml respectively. The study concludes that the abandoned coal mine sites contribute to the type of microorganisms found in the water and concentration of heavy metals present in the water samples as well as other physicochemical parameters/indicators of water quality. Keywords: Coal post-mining, Water quality, Microbial load, Pollution, Trace metals DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-4-08 Publication date: April 30th 202

Evaluating The Perception of Climate Change Among Secondary School Science Teachers for Knowledge-Based Sustainable Development

There appears to be lack of knowledge about the cause and effect of climate change amongst the secondary school students. This asks for evaluation of their source of knowledge in schools through the assessment of their teachers’ knowledge and/or perception about climatic change. The survey research design was adopted and the perception of the secondary school science teachers’ (SSSTs) evaluated using questionnaire. The results showed that SSSTs perception of human activities associated with climate change and the effects of human activities associated with climate is moderate. This was very clear when the grand mean responses of the teachers were found to be 2.81 and 2.61 respectively. The student t-test statistics used at P>0.05 confirmed that there is no significant difference between the perception of urban and rural SSSTs on their perception of climate change. At P>0.05, there is significant difference between experienced and less experienced SSSTs on their perception of climate change.  The research concludes that there is knowledge gap in our secondary school educational system concerning climate change. Therefore, it recommends capacity building in science-teaching education curriculum for knowledge-based sustainable development. Keywords: Curriculum, Global warming, Environmental Education, Greenhouse gases, Deforestation DOI: 10.7176/CER/13-5-03 Publication date:August 31st 2021

Coping Strategies, Cultural Practices and Policy Implications on Domestic Water Supply in an Erosion Susceptible Rural Community, Nigeria

Solving water-related problems in remote regions, especially in the developing world, is context-specific and demands knowledge and attendant support of local processes and practices. Most rural communities in developing countries have basic water and other socioeconomic challenges common to them. However, the additional constraints that come with incessant landslides and gully erosion menace necessitates a holistic investigation of how the inhabitants of Nanka, a rural community in the southeastern part of Nigeria, tend to cope with shortages in the domestic water supply and other stress associated with water. This work tries to examine the domestic water coping strategies in the community in terms of water access, sources, practices, barriers, cultural influences, and other environmental issues. These factors were investigated through qualitative research methods. Major water sources in the community include surface sources, rainwater harvesting, and sachet water, while the main water coping practices are water storage, water sharing, and buying water from vendors. The current study further makes policy recommendations along the way forward