Editorial: Reality in a Pandemic

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The Effects of Spent Engine Oil on Soil Properties and Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The effect of spent engine oil (SEO) on soil properties and growth of maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated. Five treatments (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 l/kg) of the spent oil were applied to soil in perforated poly bags with maize stands at four weeks after sowing. Soil analysis showed that SEO had no effect on both the pH and texture of the soil. Organic C, N and Mg in the contaminated soils increased compared to the control. Therewas decrease in concentration of P due to soil contamination. Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb) concentrations of soil increased with increasing concentration of oil. Plant height, root number and root length of maize plants grown in the contaminated soils were adversely affected. The grain yield of the plants in the contaminated soils was significantly reduce

Metal tolerant species distribution and richness in and around the metal based industries: Possible candidates for phytoremediation

Plant species growing in and around 38 metal welding workshops in Benin City, Nigeria, were surveyed. Eragrostis tenella occurred most frequently in all the sites, followed by Amaranthus spinosus, Eleusine indica, while Cucurbita pepo occurred least. The family Poaceae, was identified in all the sites visited. The frequency of occurrence of any particular plant species was used as an indicator of tolerance to heavy metals. Margalef index (R1) showed the richest locations in the study to be workshops at Ekenwan Road Quarters with a value of 2.87, followed by those at Ikpoba Hill (2.75). Shannon-Weiner’s diversity index (H) which reveals the location with the most species diversity, showed that Ekenwan Road gave the most diverse with a value of 2.43, followed by Ikpoba Hill (2.17). Wire Road was least diverse in plant species (1.33). Ugbowo quarters had the highest evenness index of 0.96, followed by Sapele Road (0.95), with Wire Road being the location with least evenness (0.82). Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) occurred in soil samples obtained from the sites. Six of the ten locations (Ekenwan, Plymouth, Siluko, Sapele, Sakponba and Ikpoba Hill Road Quarters) had elevated cadmium in soil samples obtained outside the workshops, with the highest concentration of 1.2 mg/kg detected at Ikpoba. Lead concentration was highest at Ugbowo (53 mg/kg). Metal- tolerant plants obtained in the present study are suggested as possible phytoremediating agents.Key words: Welding workshops, metal tolerant plants, cadmium, lead, phytoremediation

The Effects of Spent Engine Oil on Soil Properties and Growth of Maize ( Zea mays L.)

The effect of spent engine oil (SEO) on soil properties and growth of maize ( Zea mays L.) was investigated. Five treatments (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 l/kg) of the spent oil were applied to soil in perforated poly bags with maize stands at four weeks after sowing. Soil analysis showed that SEO had no effect on both the pH and texture of the soil. Organic C, N and Mg in the contaminated soils increased compared to the control. There was decrease in concentration of P due to soil contamination. Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb) concentrations of soil increased with increasing concentration of oil. Plant height, root number and root length of maize plants grown in the contaminated soils were adversely affected. The grain yield of the plants in the contaminated soils was significantly reduce

Assessment of knowledge, practice and guidelines towards the novel COVID-19 among eye care practitioners in Nigeria : a survey-based study

The aim of this study was to explore knowledge, practice of risk and guidelines of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) infection among the eye care practitioners and the potential associated factors. A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was distributed via emails and social media networks between 2nd and 18th May 2020 corresponding to the week of the lockdown in Nigeria to eye care practitioners (ECPs). Data for 823 respondents were analyzed. Knowledge and risk practice were categorized as binary outcome and univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to examine the associated factors. The mean score for COVID-19-related knowledge of public health guidelines was high and varied across the ECPs. Ophthalmic Nurses, Ophthalmologists and Optometrists showed higher COVID-19-related knowledge than other ECPs (p < 0.001), particularly those working in the private sector. More than 50% of ECPs stated they provided essential services during the COVID-19 lockdown via physical consultation, particularly the Ophthalmologists. Most respondents reported that the guidelines provided by their Association were useful but expressed their lack of confidence in attending to patients during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Compared to other ECPs in Nigeria, more Ophthalmic Nurses received training in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This survey is the first to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. ECPs in Nigeria displayed good knowledge about COVID-19 and provided eye care services during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, despite the majority not receiving any training on the use of PPEs with concerns over attending to patients. There is need for the government to strengthen health systems by improving and extending training on standard infection prevention and control measures to ECPs for effective control of the pandemic and in the future as essential health workers

The Effects of Spent Engine Oil on Soil Properties and Growth of Maize ( Zea mays L.)

The effect of spent engine oil (SEO) on soil properties and growth of maize ( Zea mays L.) was investigated. Five treatments (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 l/kg) of the spent oil were applied to soil in perforated poly bags with maize stands at four weeks after sowing. Soil analysis showed that SEO had no effect on both the pH and texture of the soil. Organic C, N and Mg in the contaminated soils increased compared to the control. There was decrease in concentration of P due to soil contamination. Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb) concentrations of soil increased with increasing concentration of oil. Plant height, root number and root length of maize plants grown in the contaminated soils were adversely affected. The grain yield of the plants in the contaminated soils was significantly reduce