Geospatial Information as a Tool for Soil Resource Information, Management and Decision Support in Nigeria

Understanding and addressing the complexity of soil resources management and factors involved requires collection and interpretation of relevant data that will serve as decision support tools. Geospatial information is a veritable tool for soil resource information and decision support for soil management, which is yet to be well embraced in Nigeria. This paper emphasized the importance of geospatial information as a decision support tool to make better and informed decision in the management of soil resources. It also reviewed and discussed status of soil information systems and need to promote strategies for sustainable soil resource development in the country.Keywords: Soil information system, Decision support system, remote sensing, digital soil mappin

Participatory Roles of Women in Quarrying Activities in Abeokuta Metropolis

Population increase coupled with the rise in demand for construction materials like granite and gravel have necessitated the continued growth of quarry activities in and around the Abeokuta Metropolis southwestern Nigeria The results of the questionnaire survey carried out on the quarry workers in three selected quarry sites abandoned colonial AGI and Oba revealed that over 70 of the entire working force were mainly women who work as casual labourers crushing or sorting stones in the quarries The ages of the female quarry workers ranges between 10-60 years with majority of them having little or no formal education Many have spent between 10-20 years of their life in the quarries using primitive tools and being paid pittance which is not comparable with the work done They often work for about 12 hours daily crushing and average of 10 headpan of stone per day which attracts about N10 per headpan Majority of the women are from polygamous family which further push them into poverty as the wages received from the quarry work is not enough to take care of their needs Polygamy exacerbates the impoverishment of women by limiting their access to financial resources These women are at the risk of health problems such as severe chest and joint pains headache fever catarrh and rheumatism which affect their productivity There is a need for the empowerment of these women through education as a means of challenging patriarchal ideology of male domination especially in employment and wage

Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Soils near Some Mechanic Villages in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Soils and water bodies near auto mechanic village (MV) contain heavy metals, which pollute the environments and are hazardous to human and environmental health. Assessment of heavy metal concentration in three replicate soil and water samples from three MVs (Fajol, Id-Aba and Kotopo) in Abeokuta metropolis in Nigeria was conducted. Heavy metal concentrations in topsoil of the MVs showed copper ranging from 0.02 mgkg-1 in the topsoil at Idi-Aba MV to 126.89 mgkg-1 for topsoil at Kotopo MV. The level of copper detected in Kotopo MV soil is however higher than the allowable limits for Sweden, Netherlands and Germany. Mean concentration of zinc in soils of the MVs were 2.89, 0.91 and 86.23 mgkg-1 respectively for Fajol, Idi-Aba and Kotopo MV respectively. Metal enrichment factor indicated that the contamination degree ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted areas. Copper is the most enriched metal in the soil of the MVs especially at Kotopo MV. Relative abundance of the metals in the topsoil (0-15cm) in Fajol MV follow the order Zn > Ni> Cr >Pb >Cu > Co> Cd.  For the Idi-Aba MV, relative abundance is in the order Ni > Zn > Cr > Pb> Cu > Co and Cd, and that of Kotopo MV was Cu >Zn> Pb > Ni > Cr, Co and Cd. Mean heavy metal in the water samples were lower than those found in the soils of the MVs. Stream water near the Kotopo MV had the highest concentration of most metals. Zinc had the highest mean concentration of 2.02 mgL-1 while copper was 1.09 mgL-1.  There is an urgent need to put measures in place to monitor the activities in these MVs in order to safeguard peoples’ health environmental integrity

Physicochemical and microbiological examination of hand-dug wells, boreholes and public water sources in selected areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined some physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of some water sources and evaluates their health implications in selected areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Forty (40) water samples were collected into 1-litre plastic kegs from hand-dug wells, boreholes and public water points between June 12 and July 11, 2014. Samples were analysed for physical, chemical and microbial parameters using standard procedures. Well-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information on sanitation conditions in the areas. Electrical conductivity in many of the sampled water were higher than the recommended limit, while TDS were within the desirable limit of 200 mg/l except for the borehole at Ita-Baale Borehole (IB) and hand dug well at Oke-Aare (OAH). Microbial assessment of water samples in most areas confirmed the presence of vibrio species due to faecal pollution. Bacterial isolates identified in some of the water samples were Enterobacter cloaca, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomaonas fluorescens and Salmonella spp. The study revealed that sanitary facilities including toilets and improved latrines are lacking in many areas. Hand dug wells had the highest frequency of occurrence pollutants and bacteria due to their close proximity to pit latrines. The study concluded that residents in the study area are exposed to polluted water sources, which pose serious threat their health. This study added to the existing data on the inadequacy of sanitation in urban centres in the country hence the need for increased effort in the provision of more cleaner and well protected water sources such boreholes and piped-borne water.Keywords: Hygiene, microbial contamination, sanitation, urban slums, water quality, healt

Assessment of Groundwater Contamination by Textile Effluent Discharges in Ikorodu, Nigeria

This paper assessed physicochemical properties (temperature, pH, acidity, alkalinity, colour, odour, taste, EC, TDS, TH, turbidity, bicarbonate, phosphate, nitrate, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl- & SO42- as well as heavy metal concentrations heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) of selected wells and borehole near textile industries in Ikorodu, Nigeria. The physicochemical parameters were analysed using standard methods by APHA, while heavy metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The pH of water from the boreholes and hand-dug wells ranged from 5.90 to 6.70. The well water had higher total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sulphate and chloride compared to the boreholes. Alkalinity in the boreholes ranged from 740.2 to 820.4 mg L-1 compared to wells that ranged from 144.4 to 670.2 mg L-1. EC for the boreholes ranged from 124.5-182.3 μS cm-1 compared to EC of wells that ranged from 216.2-385.6 μS cm-1. TDS ranged from 48.6-60.3 mg L-1 in the borehole compared to 62.5-120 mg L-1 in the wells. Concentration of Fe ranged from 0.12 to 1.2 mg L-1 in the boreholes compared to 1.2 to 1.60 mg L-1 found in the well water. Zn, Pb, and Cu ranged from 0.60 to 1.20 mg L-1, 0.02 to 0.03 mg L-1 and 0.04 to 0.06 mg L-1 respectively. Concentrations of Fe and Pb were above the permissible limits of WHO and NIS. A possible source of pollution is seepage of effluent discharge through the porous soil into the groundwater and this poses great danger to the health of the people who consume the water

Assessment of Traffic Related Heavy Metals Pollution of Roadside Soils in Emerging Urban Centres in Ijebu-North Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the concentration of eight critical heavy metals in the roadside soils of selected urban centres in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, SW, Nigeria. Thirty-six composite soil samples were collected along the roadside based on distances to the roads. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in roadside soils in some selected locations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Accumulation of heavy metals in top soils is greately influenced by traffic volume and all the heavy metals exhibited a significant reduction in the roadside soils with increasing distance from the road. Metal concentrations in the roadside soils followed order of Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu>Mn>Cd>Cr. Concentration of Zn was 156.09 mg/Kg in roadside soils of Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye which is experiencing high volume of traffic , while it ranged from 10 \u2013 47 mg/Kg for Ijebu-Igbo/Bajowa/Akanran road with low traffic volume. Pb concentration of 26.7 mg/Kg was observed in : Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye road especially in centre of the city. Concentration of all heavy metals examined were below the EU guideline, however, the paper suggested a regular monitoring and assessment to ensure sustainable management of the urban environment and reduction of traffic-related contamination of soil, plants and water

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Selected Dumpsites in Abeokuta Metropolis, SW, Nigeria

Knowledge of the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) in urban soils remains insufficient in developing countries like Nigeria despite their toxic effects and suspected human carcinogens, mutagens and endocrine disruption. This study aimed to determine the concentration of PAHs in soil of three dumpsites in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria. Concentrations of individual PAHs were determined using Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The total PAHs concentrations at 0-15 cm depth were 29.0 mg kg-1, 41.6 mg kg-1 and 11.9 mg kg-1 for Igbore, Saje and Alogi dumpsites respectively while the corresponding total PAHs concentrations at 15-30 cm depth were 9.3 mg kg-1, 28.3 mg kg-1 and 11.0 mg kg-1 respectively. These concentrations were slightly lower than the Dutch guideline limits of 40 mg kg-1 except for that of Saje at 0-15 cm depth. The amounts of fluoranthene at Igbore dumpsite in the two depths were 23.64 mg kg-1 and 8.02 mg kg-1, with a total sum of 10 PAHs compounds of 19.12 mg kg-1. The results showed that the highest concentration of a single PAHs compound was at Saje dump-site with fluoranthene value of 33.75 mg kg-1 and 22.74 mg kg-1 at the depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm respectively. Isomer ratio for fluoranthene/pyrene was 2.69 at Alogi dumpsite, which suggested that the PAHs were from pyrogenic sources. Carcinogenic PAHs constituted about 1.29-15.69 % of the total PAHs detected in the dumpsite raising concerns of human exposure through the food chain

Retracted: Comparing Throughfall and Litterfall Nutrient Fluxes in a Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis willd. muell-arg) Plantation Agro-ecosystem at Ikenne, South-west Nigeria

This study compares nutrient fluxes (throughfall and litterfall) in a rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Willd. Muell-Arg) plantation agro-ecosystem at Ikenne, SW Nigeria. Throughfall samples were collected bi-weekly under the rubber canopies (40-, 15-, and 5-year-old) using throughfall funnel collectors with 10 replicates. Litterfall was collected on a monthly basis in the three rubber stands using twenty-four 0.25 m2 litter traps (eight replicates in each of the three rubber stands) positioned randomly to estimate total annual litter production (dry biomass) and its main fractions. Throughfall and litterfall samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and magnesium. The annual means of throughfall in the different stands were compared by solution type using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a post-hoc separation of means by the Scheffe-test (p < 0.05). The litterfall data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance based on the representative of 12 months. The results revealed a clear pattern of increased levels of base cations and fluxes of throughfall compared to those occurring in precipitation. Fluxes of Ca2+ in throughfall are typically 1.5-2 times greater than those occurring in rainfall. Among the rubber stands, fluxes of K+ are also greater in throughfall, consistent with previous studies. The enrichment of elements in throughfall has been ascribed to the dissolution and washout of atmospheric materials deposited on the canopy. Comparison of total annual litterfall nutrient budgets show that the 15-year-old rubber stand was cycling more Mg2+, N, Na+, K+ , P, and Ca2+ in litterfall than the 40- and 5-year-old rubber stands

Assessment of Traffic Related Heavy Metals Pollution of Roadside Soils in Emerging Urban Centres in Ijebu-North Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the concentration of eight critical heavy metals in the roadside soils of selected urban centres in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, SW, Nigeria. Thirty-six composite soil samples were collected along the roadside based on distances to the roads. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in roadside soils in some selected locations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Accumulation of heavy metals in top soils is greately influenced by traffic volume and all the heavy metals exhibited a significant reduction in the roadside soils with increasing distance from the road. Metal concentrations in the roadside soils followed order of Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu>Mn>Cd>Cr. Concentration of Zn was 156.09 mg/Kg in roadside soils of Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye which is experiencing high volume of traffic , while it ranged from 10 – 47 mg/Kg for Ijebu-Igbo/Bajowa/Akanran road with low traffic volume. Pb concentration of 26.7 mg/Kg was observed in : Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye road especially in centre of the city. Concentration of all heavy metals examined were below the EU guideline, however, the paper suggested a regular monitoring and assessment to ensure sustainable management of the urban environment and reduction of traffic-related contamination of soil, plants and water

Mainstreaming Climate Change into the EIA Process in Nigeria: Perspectives from Projects in the Niger Delta Region

Climate change incorporation in environmental assessment is a growing research area, particularly following the Paris agreement. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is considered in many quarters to be an important tool in factoring climate-related components in the planning and design of a project. However, many recent researches have shown that EIA has, so far, struggled in the attempt to incorporate climate change into its procedures. This study is an attempt to evaluate the level of consideration of climate change in the EIA process in Nigeria, with particular focus on the Niger Delta region. The result of this quantitative research shows that there is a poor political will to address climate change, as reflected in the absence of climate change requirements in the EIA guidelines of Nigeria. Although, there is a growing trend in the pattern of consideration of climate change in the EIA procedures, the overall level of consideration is still a far cry from the requirements if EIA is to be considered to be an important tool in addressing challenges of climate change in Nigeria