Evaluation of nickel levels in wastewater, soil and vegetable samples grown along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The concentration of nickel was evaluated in wastewater, soil and vegetable (carrot, lettuce, onion, spinach, cabbage, tomato and okra) samples that were collected on seasonal basis from January, 2013 to September 2014 along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria. The results showed nickel concentrations in wastewater were in the range of 7.69 – 38.46 mg/L for the year 2013 and 7.68 – 27.04 mg/L in 2014; 1.92 – 21.37 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 8.24 – 24.32 mg/Kg in 2014 for the soil while the vegetables had concentrations in the range of 6.97 – 18.79 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 3.78 – 18.27 mg/Kg in 2014. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in nickel levels across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables analyzed. Pearson correlation showed substantial (r = 0.631) relationship between nickel levels in wastewater for the year 2013 and 2014, negative (r = -0.284) relationship was obtained for the soil between these two years whereas substantial (r = 0.634) relationship was obtained for vegetables cultivated in 2013 and that of 2014, respectively. Thus, nickel concentrations obtained in this study was higher than maximum contaminant levels set by Standard Organizations such as WHO and FAO for wastewater whereas the soil and vegetables were less to limits set by these bodies

Impact of wastewater on nitrate concentrations in soil and vegetables grown along Kubanni River, Zaria in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The concentration of nitrate was evaluated in wastewater, soil and vegetable (carrot, lettuce, onion, spinach, cabbage, tomato and okra) samples collected on seasonal basis from January, 2013 to September 2014 along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria. The results showed nitrate levels in wastewater were in the range of 23.05-283.54 mg/L for the year 2013 and 16.85-68.05 mg/L in the year 2014; soil had concentrations in the range of 2.20-20.50 mg/kg for 2013 and 7.27-29.57 mg/kg for the second year while the vegetable had concentrations in the range of 3.80-23.65 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 7.48-27.15 mg/Kg in year 2014. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in nitrate concentrations across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables analyzed. Pearson correlation results revealed negative (r = -0.263) relationship between nitrate levels in wastewater for year 2013 and year 2014, likewise negative (r = -0.217) relationship was obtained for vegetables planted in the year 2013 and 2014 whereas negligible (r = 0.137) relationship was recorded in the soil for these years. Nitrate concentrations obtained in this study was higher than maximum contaminant levels set by Standard Organization such as WHO and FAO for wastewater whereas the soil and vegetable of the sampling sites were not contaminated with nitrate ions

Assessment of iron concentrations in wastewater, soil and vegetable samples grown along Kubanni Stream Channels in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The concentration of iron was determined in wastewater, soil and vegetable (carrot, lettuce, onion, spinach, cabbage, tomato and okro) samples that were collected on seasonal basis from January, 2013 to September 2014 along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria. The results showed iron levels in wastewater were in the range of 3.85 – 42.33mg/L for the year 2013 and 15.60 – 72.08 mg/L in 2014; 0.96 – 12.73mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 4.93 – 18.24 mg/Kg in 2014 for the soil while the vegetables had concentrations in the range of 3.80 – 23.65mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 7.48 – 27.15 mg/Kg in 2014. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in iron levels across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables analyzed. Pearson correlation showed moderate (r = 0.527) relationship between iron levels in wastewater for the year 2013 and 2014, moderate (r = 0.526) relationship was also obtained for the soil between these two years likewise, moderate (r = 0.597) relationship was obtained for vegetables cultivated in 2013 and that of 2014 respectively. Iron concentrations obtained in this study was higher than maximum contaminant levels set by Standard Organizations such as W.H.O. and F.A.O for wastewater while the soil and vegetables were within the limits set by these bodies.Keywords: Iron level, Kubanni River, Soil, Vegetable and Wastewate

Assessment of manganese levels in wastewater, soil and vegetable samples grown along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria

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Effects of nitrite concentrations on soil and certain vegetables irrigated with wastewater of Kubanni stream in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of nitrite ions in wastewater, soil and vegetables through man-made activities. Nitrite level was determined in wastewater, soil and vegetables viz., spinach (Amaranthus hybridus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), carrot (Daucus carota), okra (Hibiscus esculentus), onion (Allium cepa) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculenetum) collected on seasonal basis along Kubanni stream in Zaria. The levels of nitrate in the wastewater, soils and vegetables were determined using UV/Visible and Smart Spectrophotometer. Results obtained show that nitrite concentrations ranged from 12.05 – 53.21 mg/L in the year 2013 and 1.58 – 17.09 mg/L in the year 2014 for wastewater, soil had concentrations ranged from 0.05 – 6.40 mg/kg in the year 2013 and 0.90 – 9.90 mg/kg for year 2014 while the vegetable had levels of 3.80 – 23.65 mg/kg in the year 2013 and 7.48 – 27.15 mg/kg in the year 2014. Statistical tests indicated no significant difference in nitrite levels across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables evaluated. Correlation results for these two years indicated low (r = 0.399, r = 0.275) relationship for wastewater and vegetables whereas negative (r = -0.290) relationship noticed for the soil. The results showed that irrigating the farmland with untreated wastewater has negative consequence on the crops grown with it and thus, cultivation of wastewater irrigated soils and vegetables should be continuously monitored to stop any possible hazard

Determinants of Knowledge and Use of Information Communication Technology at Eco-destinations in Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana in Nigeria

Information Communication Technology has become significant to the development and growth of modern tourism. This study aimed to examine the knowledge and use of information and communication at Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana by using structured questionnaire directed at fifty percent of the total members of staff at the sites. Data indicated that majority of the staff at Old Oyo National Park (82.9%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (95%) and Lacampagne Tropicana (88.9%) were knowledgeable about the use of information and communication technology especially the use of internet and social media. The staff were also a little competent with the use of Information and Communication Technology at Old Oyo National Park (45.7%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (50%) and Lacampagne Tropicana staff (44.4%). Furthermore, the socio-demographic characteristics of the staff has a significant relationship with their knowledge on the existence of Information Communication Technology at the sites. The management need to organize proper trainings for the staff on the use of Information and Communication Technology so as to improve satisfaction of tourists

ASSESSMENT OF THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF OSUN OSOGBO SACRED GROVE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

High Conservation Values (HCV) are unique biological, critical ecosystem functions, cultural significant features of an ecosystem. Paucity of knowledge on HCV of Osun Osogbo Sacred grove, South western Nigeria is a serious consideration for this study. Data was generated through field survey, interview and direct field observation. Interview was conducted for the priests, grove staff and traditionalists while systematic line transect was employed in the laying of plots to establish abundance and diversity of the flora species. Feeding point count was carried out for the observation of fauna species at a particular period of the study. Cercopithecus mona recorded the highest frequency compared to Guenon cercopithecus erythrogaster. A total of forty (40) tree species were found with Margalef and Shannon-Weiner index of 19.20 and 2.30 respectively. Celtis zenkeri had the highest relative density (13.04) followed by Colla hispida (9.42). Thematic analysis of the cultural significance revealed that use and non-use values were attached to the resources in the grove. Combined efforts of government officials, community guards and traditionalist were employed as conservation mechanism. It is recommended that assessment of high conservation value of the forest should be based on information on diversity of species, critical ecosystem functions and services

Socio-demographic determinants of travel motivation and behaviour of visitors in nature-based destinations in northern Nigeria

This study aimed to assess socio-demographic determinants of travel motivation and behavior of visitors in nature-based destinations in Northern Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was administered to 575 respondents at Chad Basin National Park; CBNP (69), Gashaka Gumti National Park; GGNP (165) and Yankari Game Reserve; YGR (341). Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results revealed that majority of the respondents at CBNP were males (72.5%), majority of the respondents at GGNP were females (77.6%) and majority of the respondents at YGR were males (53.1%). Visitors were majorly motivated to come to CBNP for enjoyment of nature (27.5%) while source of information about the parks revealed previous trip as the highest in CBNP (29%) and YGR (36.1%) while GGNP recorded friends and relatives as the highest (45.5%). They were majorly motivated to visit GGNP because they wanted to be away from hustle and bustle of cities (33.3%) and they were motivated to visit YGR for game viewing (33.4%). Furthermore, there is significant relationship between travel motivations and sex, marital status, education, occupation, nationality (P<0.01). The determinants of travel motivations were monthly income, occupation and nationality while the determinants of travel behaviours were the socio-demographic factors except age. Game viewing and nature attributes of nature-based destinations should be developed more as these attributes motivate people to visit the sites

CAPTURING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ON MEDICINAL PLANTS USE: CASE STUDY OF SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

Background: Understanding the intricate link between humans and the plants use is needed to address some of to-day’s socio-economic and health challenges. Materials and Methods: The study focused on plants that have high cultural and medicinal values for the host communities of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Local Knowledge was captured through focus group discussions with herbal vendors, interviews with herbalists as key informants and through field observations. Snowball sampling technique was used in selecting the key informants. Participants selected for the Focus Group Discussion varies with the number of herbal vendors encountered in each commercial market. Results: In total, 78 medicinal plant species belonging to 39 families including 47 trees, 8 shrubs and 23 herbaceous plants were documented. Forty ailments categorized into thirty one treatments and prevention methods were discovered. Kigellia africana, Cassia spp and Alstonia boonei were used for treating common ailments like malaria, dysentery and gonorrhea. Sources of collecting the medicinal plant species and their mode of administration were different. Conclusion: The research outcome will contribute to advancement of traditional medicine, resource efficiency and development of new enterprise among the locals. Comprehensive quantitative study of social- economic importance of the medicinal plants is recommended

Assessing the low-cost buildings in Nigeria using Hydraform blocks as walling materials: the journey so far

Man’s growing desire for affordable and comfortable buildings have necessitated the diversification of materials and methods in the built sector. Thus, this paper assessed the hydraform blocks as walling materials to examine its current level of usage in the Nigerian built sector. Information was generated via literature reviews, newspapers, and professional perceptions. The findings revealed that despite the concerted feats of private developers in the use of hydraform blocks as walling materials for the low-cost building construction in Nigeria, efforts by the Federal Government has yielded limited success in this regard. Also, State Governments have not fared better. Therefore, this paper recommended and proffered solutions to bridge this gap