WASTE MANAGEMENT AND WATER QUALITY ISSUES IN COASTAL STATES OF NIGERIA: THE OGUN STATE EXPERIENCE

Waste dumping and inadequate waste management efforts are having adverse impact on the environment and humans in Nigerian coastal cities. Nine of the 36 states in Nigeria border the Atlantic Ocean. Twenty-five percent of the Nigerian population is found in the coastal states. These states, with the exception of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo, are more prone to petrochemical wastes arising from petroleum exploration. Field investigations, surveys and literature searches were conducted in order to accomplish the task of this research. Field studies included testing for dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, nitrates, phosphate, total solids and pH

Study of Auto Purification Capacity of River Atuwara in Nigeria

The aim of this paper was to study and predict the self-purification capacity of River Atuwara. This was done primarily by measuring the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) downstream of a pre-selected pollution discharge point on River Atuwara and then predicting the same using the modified Streeter-Phelps equations. Other data gathered from each of the 17 sampling stations on River Atuwara and used in the analysis included Biochemical Oxygen Demand, (BOD), pH, stream velocity, stream depth and distance. Predicted DO deficit trend lines were first fitted by retaining the original re-aeration coefficient component, k2, of the modified Streeter-Phelps equation (USGS equation) and subsequently by substituting it with Atuwara reaeration coefficient model. It was found that the latter displayed better predictive capacity. Results also demonstrated that the auto-purification capacity of the river which is already limited by the relatively low DO saturation level is further threatened by the wastes being discharged into it at varying intervals. Some of the wastes which are non-biodegradable and acidic were also found to be interrupting the auto-purification processes of the river. Water from River Atuwara requires treatment before it can be considered safe for consumption by its current users

WATER RESOURCES USE, ABUSE AND REGULATIONS IN NIGERIA

The evolvement processes of water laws in Nigeria, as well as their efficiency in the sustenance of surface water resources, were studied. A cursory look was also taken into the mode of access to water resources by households in Nigeria. This was done vis-à-vis the governmental effort at providing potable water for its teeming population as well as the Land Use Act of 1978, which vests absolute control and ownership of all water resources, ground and surface, in the land owner. About 47 million Nigerians still rely, exclusively, on surface water sources to meet their domestic needs. Yet, pollution discharge into the surface water by individuals and industries go on unmitigated, unregulated, and unpunished due to weaknesses in the existing laws. The involvement of the scientific community in the regular calibration and monitoring of surface water quality as a tool for managing the surface and groundwater resources, among other things, would be an advantageous tool for curbing the pollution menace

Thin layer drying models for sweet potato in tray dryer

Sweet potato is increasingly becoming important and popular as food stuff all over the world.  Therefore investigation of thin layer drying of sweet potato slices in three different dimensions was carried out between 50oC and 80oC in tray dryer using hot air at a flow rate of 2.5 m/s and 10% relative humidity.  Eight thin-layer drying kinetic models were assessed on blanched and unblanched sweet potato slices presented in three different dimensions.  The drying rate was observed to decrease with thickness and mass at a constant drying temperature.  Also, the drying rate was found to increase with temperature and the blanched slices dried faster than unblanched slices.  The eight models investigated fitted the experimental data of the six sweet potato samples between 50oC and 80oC adequately.  However, Page model was found to be the best for all the samples.  The results obtained are comparable to some of the reported works. Keywords: sweet potato, thin-layer drying models, page model, tray dryer, diffusion mechanis

An Evaluation of Slaughterhouse Wastes in South-West Nigeria

This study was carried out at ten randomly selected slaughterhouses situated in Lagos and Ogun States, Nigeria. The aim was to evaluate the current waste generation and waste handling practices while exploring the possibility of reducing to the barest minimum the percentage of live weight cow that is considered as waste. This was achieved through questionnaire application, live interviews, literature review and physical inspection. It was shown that just 5 % of the total slaughtered animal weight, arising from bovine blood, dung and undigested paunch contents, coupled with the large volume of water required to wash off this small percentage of animal parts constituted the greatest proportion of environmental problems associated with slaughterhouse operations. Ways through which these waste materials could be converted into wealth, thereby relieving the environment from their harmful effects were suggested

Post traumatic stress disorder and resilience in veterans who served in the South African border war

Objective: The psychological impact of the South African border war on veterans has received little or no attention. This study determined the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and extent of resilience among a cohort of veterans.Method: Of 1527 former students who matriculated from a Johannesburg high school from 1975 to 1988, only 109 were reachable for convenience and snowballing recruitment into this study. An anonymous, internet-based questionnaire was used to obtain information on demography, combat exposure, drug and alcohol use, traumatic events in later life, and recourse to medication and counselling. The Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) assessed for PTSD and the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRISC) measured resilience. Data were processed with STATA; version 11 statistical software package. Analysis included Chi square test and regression analysis.Results: The response rate was 49.5% (n=54). The prevalence of PTSD was 33% and significantly associated with combat exposure (p=.012). Despite high prevalence of PTSD in those exposed to combat, 94% showed normal to above-normal level of resilience. CD-RISC scores showed no association with the IES-R. Only current cannabis use was significantly linked with PTSD (p=.044).Conclusion: Although the prevalence of PTSD found in this sample was higher than in comparable international studies, this cohort of former SA national servicemen, showed high levels of resilience. The current use of cannabis within the context of prior exposure to military national service or combat should prompt clinicians to screen for the presence of PTSD-associated symptoms.Keywords: Combat Exposure; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; National Service; Border War; South AfricaAfrican Journal of Psychiatry • November 2013, 16(6

Hydro-geometrical data analyses of River Atuwara at Ado-Odo/Otta, Ogun State

The dataset analyzed in this article contains spatial and temporal values of the hydro-geometric parameters of River Atuwara. The hydro-geometrical data analyses of various sampling point on River Atuwara was examined and their geometric properties were taken with the use of a paddled boat,depth meter and global positioning system(GPS).The coordinates, width, depth, slopes, area, velocity, flow were gotten in-situ while the area and wetted perimeter were computed ex-situ. The statistical relationships between separate variables were considered using scatter plots and regression line equations. Inferences drawn from various variable comparisons can be used to validate predictive models for various time seasons

Passing on the Baton to Future Water Resources Scientists & Engineers in Developing Nations

Education is important for the proper management of water resources in any nation, especially in developing nations that are faced with other equally important competing issues. In West Africa, as a developing region, in addition to other economic problems exists severe groundwater related issues. Working with students in those nations is one way of training qualified water professionals to manage water resources in developing nations. Some of these problems may stem from improper sewage and waste disposal due to lack of adequate structures. Also, in coastal regions, with indiscriminate well drilling, uncontrolled growth, and urbanization, water quality is a serious issue. During a rain event, a low-lying area was turned into a fast flowing river, carrying with it surface contaminants. In areas where water supply is not limited, for example in coastal regions in Nigeria, seawater intrusion is becoming a serious problem. Examples that qualified personal use include mentoring, teaching, and training, are presented below. Qualified personal embody the skills of mentoring, teaching, and training of local nationals

Waste management practices in Nigeria: Impacts and mitigation

We reviewed the current state of waste management practices in Nigeria using examples from different parts of the country. Commonly practiced waste disposal methods in Nigeria, such as burial, open-air burning, and open dumping, were found to be ineffective and detrimental to public health and the environment. It was also shown that waste management cannot be successfully operated as a social service. Rather, the generator of waste must be held responsible. Problems confronting efficient waste management in Nigeria include the proliferation of unplanned settlements, traffic congestion, insecurity, and ignorance. An experimental model being used in Lagos State for the management of wastes may be the solution. Given the rate of population growth, industrialization, and urbanization, forward-looking and effective waste management plans need to be set in motion for the protection of public health. Such plans must involve all stakeholders, including the waste generators, the private sector, the informal sector, and regulatory agencies

Increasing the Success Rate of Groundwater Exploration in Developing Nation Using Geophysical Methods: Case of a Small Community in Nigeria

Due to the lack of an adequate clean water supply system within Ogun State, Nigeria, many homes result to drilling their own private wells. This study examines the exploration for groundwater in Ogun State in Nigeria, using Ota as an example. However, due to the indiscriminate and lack of proper waste disposal, the vast majority of the surface waters and shallow well waters are impaired for many users. To access a deeper groundwater source, a geophysical survey using the vertical electric sounding (VES) with Schlumberger configuration was carried out. The data shows five layers within the proposed borehole site. Based on the data, a pump was installed at 66 m (217 ft.) that is within the 65-75 m (213-246ft.) of the Abeokuta Formation. The first 50 feet of the borehole was grouted to prevent surface water from getting into the hole. A pumping test was performed for about two hours,but the water quality was not tested for during the pump test. More still needs to be done regarding groundwater procurement in developing nations