Variability of Soil Properties under Continuous Irrigation Farming in Nigerian Savanna

This study examined variability of soil properties under continuous cultivation in the Nigerian Savanna. Bulked soil samples were collected from eight irrigated farm plots and one uncultivated field during both wet season (WS) and dry season (DS) respectively. The samples were analyzed for Sand, silt, clay, bulk density, porosity, moisture content, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), exchangeable acidity (H+Al), exchangeable cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and base saturation which are the key soil fertility parameters. Percentage equivalence value of soil property was computed by expressing the mean value of each soil property in WS as a percentage of the mean value of the same property over the DS. From the results, the soil textural grades remained loamy in both seasons. The mean values obtained at topsoil during WS and DS are: sand (50.38 & 51.38%), silt (39.63 & 38.63%), clay (10% each), bulk density (1.38 & 1.42), porosity (47.75 & 64.04%), moisture content (0.26 & 0.19cm3 ), pH (5.7 & 6.03), organic matter (1.62 & 0.62%), total N (0.12 & 0.08%), available phosphorus (58.36 & 48.25mgkg-1), cations [Ca (7.76 & 6.17cmol/ kg-1), Mg (1.48 & 1.15cmol/kg-1), K (0.36 & 0.21cmol/kg-1), and Na (0.61 & 0.25cmol/kg-1)], H+Al (0.59 & 0.50cmol/kg-1), ECEC (10.63 & 8.26cmol/kg-1) and base saturation (93 & 92%). These results suggest that land use has both direct and indirect effects on the variability of soil properties

The role leadership can play in consolidating relationships for peacebuilding : building a healthy relationship between the Abudu and the Andani royal families of Dagbon traditional area, Ghana

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2487/thumbnail.jp

Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Some Bacteria Associated with Biogas Production from Cow Dung

The industrial and non-industrial nations are both trapped between a rising inhabitants generating substantial amount of waste and the awaiting arrival of hard frontier to non-renewable energy sources. This study was aimed at isolation, identification and characterization of some bacteria associated with biogas generation via anaerobic digestion of cow dung using standard microbiological methods. Fresh cow dung was collected from Lafia abattoir, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The sample was collected in a 100 g clean plastic container and  transported to the laboratory for analysis. The total quantity of biogas produced from the cow dung by anaerobic digestion was 13.180 ml in the fifteenth (15th) day of the digestion period with daily mean production of 878.67 ml. The least volume of about 700 ml was produced in the second day of digestion period. The total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria count ranged from 6.3 × 107 2.5 × 108 and 1.8 × 107 2.3 × 107 cfu⁄ml,  respectively. The microorganisms isolated from the digester before, during and after anaerobic digestion include Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Proteus sp. The results revealed that the generation of biogas from cow dung is potentially a good, cheap and alternative source of fuel or energy. The biogas technology is a good way of providing solution to the increasing waste management and disposal problems apart from the generation of fuel or energy from renewable energy sources

Prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in diarrhoeal stools of children under-five years seen in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria

Introduction: Human cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease and is increasingly recognized as a major public health problem. It is associated with significant effects on growth, physical and cognitive functions and excess mortality especially among children.Aim: To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocyst excretion in children less than 5years with diarrhoea in ABUTH Zaria.Methods: Children aged 0 to 59 months managed in paediatrics wards of ABUTH for diarrhoea were studied between July 2008 and June 2009. Stool specimens obtained from these subjects were analysed for Cryptosporidium oocysts using the modified ZN staining technique.Results: A total of 185 children were enrolled. There were 78 (42.2%) boys and 107(57.8%) girls. A total of 33 children studied excreted oocysts in their stools, giving a prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts of 17.8%. Thehighest rate (21.7%) was observed in children aged between 13 and 36 months, and no oocysts were observed in stools of neonates. Oocyst excretion was observed to be commoner in the rainy season.Conclusion: Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhoea among under-five children in our environment. It was commoner after infancy and in the rainy season. Recommendation: Routine screening for  Cryptosporidium should be part of evaluation of diarrhoeal illness especially in children beyond the neonatal age group.Key words: Cryptosporidiosis; diarrhoea; under-five; childre

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL CONDITION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BEING USED IN SOIL FERTILITY MAINTENANCE IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

This paper reports the results of a study conducted to evaluate the chemical condition and heavy metal contents of MSW being used in soil fertility maintenance by local farmers in Zaria urban area. Samples of the wastes were collected from major dumpsites in six major areas of the town (namely Muchiya, Sabon Gari, Gaskiya, Samaru, Tudun Wada and Gyallesu). The wastes were sorted out to obtain the solid fractions which were digested and analysed for pH, N, P, C, Ca, Mg, K, Na, CEC, BS, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb using standard procedures. The results obtained indicate that pH values range between 5.60 and 9.50, N 0.39 to 0.70%, P 29.32 to 56.0 ppm, C 2.35 to 4.63 %, Ca 6.20 to 23.44 Cmol/kg, Mg 2.16 to 13.46 Cmol/kg, K 3.82 to 9.32 Cmol/kg, Na 1.22 to 7.57 Cmol/kg, CEC 22 to 58.56 Cmol/kg, % BS 82.25 to 90.02, Cu 0.84 to 7.50 mg/kg, Zn 10.20 to 25.00 mg/kg, Mn 32.0 258.0 mg/kg, Fe, 62.0 to 864 mg/kg, Cr 1.30 top 33.36 mg/kg, Cd 1.45 to 6.20, Ni 1.20 to 53.35 and Pb 1.50 to 13.35. The results obtained thus indicate that the fertility rating of the wastes in the various areas is high to very high, except that of sodium which is rated as low. While Zn, Fe, Cr and Pb exist in high proportions and the remaining heavy metals exist in comparatively lower proportions in the waste samples. The soil fertility maintenance and public health implications of these results are discussed in light of the long term implications of sodium and heavy metal accumulations in soils receiving urban wastes applications in the area

Indoor Airborne Bacterial Concentration of a Private-Owned Hospital Laboratory in Samaru-Zaria

A study on indoor air bacterial concentration in a private-owned hospital (Jama’a) laboratory in Samaru-Zaria is presented. Investigations were carried out during the period of dry (8weeks) and wet (8weeks) seasons in 2007. Air samples and work surface samples were taken after the daily laboratory routine of analyses which were immediately conveyed to the department of microbiology postgraduate research laboratory in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for relevant microbiological analyses. In most of the samples, multiple growths of bacteria were observed with the highest bacterial airborne mean concentration: 8.0 × 10 3 CFU/m2 in wet season at the 7th week of sampling and the highest surface count: 3.0 ×102 CFU/m2 in the dry season at the 1st, 3rd and 6th weeks. The predominant bacteria isolated from investigated air and surface samples included Staphylococcus spp, Micrococcus spp, Proteus spp, Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp and Bacillus spp. Among these microbes are pathogenic and allergenic species. Keywords: Airborne bacteria, concentration, hospital, indoor, laborator

Prevalence of hepatitis C Antibody in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected children

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem for Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected population. Both infections share same routes of transmission, and quite often co-exist, with dual infections associated with reciprocal and mutually more rapid progression than either infection alone. Co-infection also adversely impacts on the course and management of both infections. This study was carried out to document the prevalence and determinants of HCV sero-positivity in HIVinfected children.Methodology: A total of 132 HIVinfected children attending the Paediatric Antiretroviral Clinic were recruited as subjects. Another 132 HIV negative children matched for age and sex were recruited as controls. Relevant demographic data was taken from each child. Blood samples were also obtained from each child and from their mothers when available, and assayed for the presence of anti-HCV using a membranebased immune-assay kit.Results: The sero-prevalence of HCV antibodies was 9.8% among HIV-infected children and 3.0% among the controls. This was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042, Fisher exact). HCV sero-postivity was more frequent in children after 5 years of age in both subjects (92.3%) and controls (100.0%). Injection at patent medicine vendor (PMV) was noted to be the most risky practice leading to HCV in children, with more than thrice the chances of HCV sero-positivity than in those who didn’t receive injections at PMV. Four mothers of the HIV-infected children were co-infected with HCV and none in the control group. All 4 children of these dually infected mothers were also co-infected. Controlling for other factors, children of HIV infected mothers were more than twice as likely to have HCV antibody as children whose mothers were HIV negative (RR = 2.67). Similarly, HCV infected mothers have 12% greater chance of transmitting HCV to their children than noninfected mothers and children delivered vaginally were 1.6 times more likely to have HCV antibody than those delivered via caesarean section.Conclusions: The prevalence of anti-HCV in HIV-infected children is significantly higher than that of HIV uninfected peers. Factors strongly associated with HCV sero -positivity identified are maternal HIV and HCV infections, vaginal delivery and injections at patent medicine vendor.Keywords: HCV; HIV; childre

Hydraulic Relationships of the Ikpoba River for Flood Studies

Flooding is a temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry areas of overflow of inland or tidal waters or from extreme and rapid accumulation of runoff. Flooding phenomenon is considered the world worst global hazard in terms of magnitude, occurrence and geographical spread, loss of life and property, displacement of people and socio-economic activities. In the tropical and sub-tropical regions, severe flooding hazards resulting from heavy thunderstorms, torrential downpours, hurricanes and tidal waves are yearly occurrences. Flood disasters are said to account for one-third of all natural catastrophes throughout the world by number and economic losses and are responsible for more than half of the facility damage (Askew, 1999). In Nigeria, many urban floods occur because of excessive extreme rainfalls improper land use and poor drainages. It has been estimated that more than seven hundred thousand hectares of useful land for agricultural and residential purposes are either lost or rendered useless due to annual floods (David and Aggrawal 2008). The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is mostly flat low lying swampy basin resulting in severe regular flooding which has led to a limited land area for residence. Benin City experiences flash Flood and Flood pondages. Areas are inundated for more than two hours during flood episodes with an average water height of one meter (Ogbonna, et al 2011). As a result of flood events, every year government spends huge sums of money on compensation for flood victims, yet, the problems are unabated. Decision makers need supporting tools such as knowledge of extreme flood magnitudes and probability of re-occurrence, flood stages and river discharge relationships to enable decisions on a particular line of action which would be most adequate in mitigating against flood This study seeks to derive hydraulic relationships for the Ikpoba River which can serve as decision support tools that can be used in evaluating flood damages in suburban-areas of  Benin-city metropolis. The specific objectives are to: i. Determine the exceedance frequency discharge relationship for the Ikpoba River.ii. Establish depths for longitudinal and cross sectional profiles of the Ikpoba Riveriii. Derive the stage discharge relationship of the Ikpoba River

Water quality assessment of hand-dug well in Sabon-Gari, Zaria, Nigeria

This study examined the quality of hand-dug wells in Sabon-Gari area of Zaria, Nigeria. Three sets of sampled hand dug-wells were used for the study. They are small, medium and large wells classified based on their diameter. Water samples were collected from twenty-seven (27) different wells at strategic locations in the city to ascertain suitability of water from the well for human consumption with little or no treatment. The physico-chemical and micro-biological parameters assessed include pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total hardness, dissolved solids, total solids, nitrate, chloride, total bacterial count and total coliform count using standard laboratory techniques. Mean values of results obtained were compared with regulatory standards for drinking water by World Health Organization (WHO). Analysis of variance was used to test if there is more variance between the samples than within them. The results revealed high variation between the WHO standards and the obtained values from well water samples. With the exception of pH that fall within the range, the values for total hardness, total dissolved solid, DO, nitrate, chloride and conductivity fall below, while the values for temperature, BOD, bacteria count and coliform count are above the WHO standards. The study therefore recommends that wells should be sited at least 30m away from a possible source of contamination while the surrounding environment should be kept clean and tidy to avoid or reduce contamination.Keywords: Well water, Quality, Parameters, WHO standards, Zari

Urine Burn Dermatitis in a Two Year-Old Sudanese Ewe

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 238 - 24