Patterns and Determinants of Recreational Behaviour in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

By surveying a 5% probability sample of residential clusters, yielding 369 residents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, this study has ascertained actual recreational behaviour of the residents; determinants of recreational behaviour; perceived adequacy/inadequacy of government provision of recreational facilities; and residents’ suggestions for improvement of recreational facilities. It was found, amongst others, that weekly participation in passive (outdoor) recreation averaged 3.7 hours and 2.5 hours for females and males, respectively; the corresponding figures for passive (indoor) recreation were 35.2 hours and 43.9 hours. For active (outdoor) recreation males and females averaged 8.9 hours and 5.3 hours, respectively. The corresponding figures for active (indoor) recreation were 5.3 hours and 6.2 hours. Of 5 personality variables, income was the most potent in explaining recreational behaviour. About one half and 43.3% of residents considered government-provided indoor and outdoor recreational facilities inadequate, respectively, demonstrating the need for government to play more active roles in (i) providing recreational facilities; and (ii) encouraging recreational participation, considering its well-known benefits.Leisure Time, Recreation, Participation, Recreational Demand, Multiple Classification Analysis

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND CUSTOMER PATRONAGE OF INSURANCE FIRMS IN PORT HARCOURT: MODERATING EFFECT OF BRAND AWARENESS

Consumer usage of the internet has increased incredibly by way of making use of content-sharing sites, social networking, blogs, etc. for the purpose of adapting, sharing, and discussing internet content.  This study was designed to ascertain the impact of social media platforms on customer patronage of insurance firms in Port Harcourt with brand awareness serving as a moderating variable.  Data were collected from four hundred and thirty-three (433) customers from eighteen (18) insurance companies in Port Harcourt where 421 of the questionnaires were found valid and useful for analysis using Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient with the aid of SPSS version 23.0 to test four (4) formulated hypotheses. Findings show that dimensions of social media platforms: media credibility,  interactive media, and media accessibility have a positive and significant relationship with customer patronage of insurance firms in Port Harcourt, while brand awareness moderates the relation between social media platforms and customer patronage significantly. The study concludes that users' loyalty will be increased by increasing the usage of multi-media to share their experiences. The study, therefore, recommends that marketers and managers should use social media marketing activities on Facebook properly,  by having a full understanding of how social media functions businesses should establish and maintain regular and direct contact with present and potential customers in order to build effective brand relationships

Design and Manufacture of Plank Shoot – Back Containment Structure

When the causes and effects of the plank shoot – back phenomenon were established, the need for a safety device was also established. A plank shoot – back containment structure has therefore been designed, manufactured and tested. The results of the test have shown that the structure can trap about one hundred percent (100%) of plank pieces that shoot out from the saw blade before they can harm operators or by standers. Table saw operators have accepted the structure as a good safety device they can use with their saw mills. Keywords: Plank, Shoot –Back, Containment, Structure

Bioaccumulation Of Heavy Metals In The Catfish Chrysicthys Nigrodigitatus From Taylor Creek, Southern Nigeria

The discharge of liquid effluents either untreated or with only primary treatment into Etelebou Creek, a tributary of Taylor Creek has led to the extensive contamination of Taylor Creek by heavy metals. The catfish species, C. nigrodigitatus and other environmental segments were collected from five sites along Taylor Creek, southern Nigeria, and some metals determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration levels of the metals in C. nigrodigitatus were higher than values reported in the literature for fresh fish and may lead to a higher risk and harmful effects. The bivariate regression models relating metals in C. nigrodigitatus and metals in the surface waters were significant (R2 ≥ 0.7134). The Log (bio-concentration factors or BCF) of Cr and Zn in C. nigrodigitatus were the highest, whereas Ni was the lowest. The ecological distribution of the log (BCF) values was, for all the heavy metals, moderately stable over the Creek. All log-transformed biomagnification factors (BMF) in the Creek were positive, which indicates that the metal concentration was higher in C. nigrodigitatus than in suspended particulate matter (SPM). The absolute log (BMF) values of heavy metals can therefore be ranked in order of decreasing magnitude: Fe (4.06) > Zn (2.87) > Mn (2.59) > Cr (1.95) > Pb (1.90) > Ni (1.82) > Cd (1.55). This sequence indicates that toxic metals such as Cd, Cr and Pb are undergoing significant bio-reduction from SPM to C. nigrodigitatus. The degree ofcorrelation between the metals was different in C. nigrodigitatus, which suggests that the sources of the metals, polluting Taylor Creek were diverse

Occurrence and Diagenetic Evolution of Perylene in the Sediments of Oginigba Creek, Southern Nigeria

Perylene and penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in sediments as part of a study that was dedicated to the aquatic ecosystem of Oginigba Creek (southern Nigeria) in order to carry out a critical corroboration of occurrence and diagenetic evolution of perylene in the sediments of the creek. The results show that the annual mean levels of perylene ranged from 396.27- 507.19 mg/g dry weight at the various Stations. The observed values for total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons werehigh (867.3 - 1243.14mg/g dryweight) in all the stations sampledOne origin index or concentration ratio of Ip/Ip+BghiP was also used to evaluate the suitability of the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons as a tracer to distinguish between contaminations arising from different sources. The values for the sampling stations therefore ranged from 0.41 to0.81. Acritical appraisal of the PAH index, consequently, suggested that petroleum combustion is the major penta-aromatic hydrocarbon source in the sediments of the creek. The PAH group profile shows that perylene was high in the sediments and would pose apparent effects in fauna. The high concentration of perylene in the sediments was also indicative of an in situ biogenic derivation. Furthermore, a concentration of perylene ≥ 31.88% of total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons established a credible diagenetic origin

Relationships Between Heavy Metals in Shrimp ( Macrobrachium felicinum ) and Metal Levels in The Water Column and Sediments of Taylor Creek

Heavy metals in the aquatic environment have todate originated fundamentallyfrom naturally occurring geochemical resources. Nonetheless, this has been enhanced by anthropogenic activities resulting in pollution. Consequently, relationships and partitioning of heavy metals in the dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments and shrimp ( Macrobrachium felicinum ) were investigated in five selected sites along Taylor creek, southern Nigeria. The degree of relationships between the various metals was dissimilar in each of the investigated matrices. In the matrices studied, not several significant relationships (P<0.05) were obtained. Only Ni-Cd (r=0.95), Mn-Cd (r=0.63), Mn-Ni (r=0.64) were associated in the sediments and in SPM, Zn-Ni (r=0.72), which suggests that the sources were not common for both matrices. In the dissolved phase, no strong relationships (P<0.05) between the heavy metals were obvious. The best relationships were observed for Ni-Zn (r=0.72) and Cd-Pb (r=0.65). Partitioning coefficients (Kd) of heavy metals between dissolved phase and SPM were generally low, which is typical for fresh water ecosystems and fairly stable over the creek all through the seasons. Furthermore, the bio-concentration factors (BCFs) of Macrobrachium felicinum were low unlike those of other natural waters. Thus, the physical state of the aquatic ecosystem points to the fact that the heavy metals bio-accumulated by Macrobrachium felicinum give cause for concern when viewed in perspective to community health issues, as the communities along the creek depend directly on shrimps as a protein source

Influence of vehicular density on the distribution pattern of lead and cadmium in road dust of Port Harcourt city, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 29-3

Preliminary assessment of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments

Total concentrations of Cd, Cr, Co, Fe, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the surface sediments of Taylor Creek, Southern Nigeria. The most concentrated trace metals, ranging from 113.2 to 5160.7 mg/g-dry weights were Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn. There was no significant variation in sediment-associated metal levels (P>0.05). The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was highest at Agbia/Nedugo and is attributed to local contamination of the Creek. The concentrations of low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also detected and quantified in the sediments by capillary gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. The concentration levels of 178.1-1266.3 mg/g-wet weights were high for the PAHs. The results indicate that the pollutants, which are bio-accumulatable, could contribute to inferior biodiversity, and shifts in community composition from sensitive to tolerant taxa

Acquisition of technological capability in Africa : a case study of indigenous building materials firms in Nigeria

Project number related to IDRC support could not be determine

Composition and source diagnostics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Elelenwo Creek, southern Nigeria

The survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their relation to potential pollution sources was carried out in sediments from Elelenwo Creek, southern Nigeria. Total PAH concentrations varied from 4238.00 to 5490.84 Bg/g dry weights in sediments. The 2, 3-ring PAHs were not dominant in sediments (22.43%). Of the 2, 3-ring PAHs, the most abundant in the sediments was acenaphthylene. Four origin indices or concentration ratios of PAH isomer pairs were used to evaluate the suitability of these compounds as tracers to distinguish between the contamination arising from different sources. A critical appraisal of PAH indices, therefore, suggested that  combustion processes were the sources of PAH in the sediments. Relative PAH patterns in sediments were also evaluated using principal component analysis, and were found to correlate with the PAH patterns of the different potential contamination sources. This indicates that the PAHs, which are bioaccumulatable, possibly will impact on fauna.Keywords: Creek, sediments, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fauna, Nigeri