Samples and Sampling Protocols for Scientific Investigations

The implementation of a quality assurance program in sampling and sampling protocols will give confidence on the validity of the results produced by a laboratory. Laboratory management should employ experienced personnel who, irrespective of other responsibilities would implement and maintain the system. Laboratory personnel should have adequate training and should be supervised by experienced persons. There is utmost need for all laboratory staff to appreciate the process of analysis and the importance of care at all stages, from sampling, through sample preparation, calibration to final measurement and reporting. This paper, therefore offers useful information on practical guidance on sampling protocols in line with best practice and international standards. Keywords: Sampling, sampling protocols, chain of custody, analysis, documentatio

Quality control, data documentation and reporting in the laboratory

The implementation of a quality assurance program, will give confidence in the validity of the results produced by a laboratory. Moreover, efficient documentation of lab data and adoption of the recommended strategy in presenting research reports will make for enhanced professionalism and help to gain competitive edge.Keywords: Laboratory, quality control, calibration, documentation, research reports International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(2): 166-172, 201

From curiosity to commodity: a review of the evolution of sachet drinking water in West Africa

The private sector continues to play an important role in filling local drinking water supply gaps across the Global South. In West Africa, a perfect storm of rapid population growth, infrastructure mismanagement, and globalization of consumer markets has resulted in the advent of an entire new industry around packaged water, primarily ‘sachet water’ sold in mechanically sealed plastic sleeves. Most local governments and international development agencies have historically perceived sachet water as a passing trend, but it has quickly become a primary drinking water source for the majority of households in many urban areas and continues to spread throughout the region and world. Sachet water is now an important component of regional water security, although with attendant issues related to governance, quality control, environmental pollution, and social justice. This paper reviews the seminal literature on sachet water in West Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana and Nigeria, where most studies have focused. This review synthesizes governance issues, consumer and industry trends, and the latest on product quality in the literature from 2011 to 2016, with 2010 approximating an inflection point for the modernization of the industry. The ability of many West African nations to achieve universal access to safe drinking water may depend on their willingness to understand and incorporate the sachet water industry into an integrated drinking water platform. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1206. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1206 This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Planning Water Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Human Water > Water Governance A typical 500‐mL sachet of drinking water sold in Accra, Ghana

Diesel Oil Degradation Potential of a Bacterium Inhabiting Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Surface Waters and Characterization of Its Emulsification Ability

Degradation of poorly water soluble hydrocarbons, like n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are challenged by some bacteria through emulsification of hydrocarbons by producing biosurfactants. In diesel oil bioremediation, diesel oil degrading and surfactant producing bacteria are used to eliminate these pollutants from contaminated waters. Therefore, identifying and characterizing bacteria capable of producing surfactant and degrading diesel oil are pivotal. In this study, bacteria isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated river water were screened for their potential to degrade diesel oil. Primary selection was carried out by using conventional enrichment culture technique, emulsification index measurement, gravimetric and gas chromatographic analyses of diesel oil degradation. A bacterium with 60 % emulsification index and 92 % diesel oil degradation ability in 14 days was identified as Acinetobacter haemolyticus Zn01 by 16S rRNA sequencing. A. haemolyticus Zn01 was shown to harbor both catabolic genes alkB and C23O effective in diesel oil degradation. The biosurfactant of the bacterium was also characterized in terms of surface tension, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Being able to emulsify and degrade diesel oil, A. haemolyticus Zn01 seems to have high potential for the elimination of diesel oil from polluted waters

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Fecal Contamination and Inadequate Treatment of Packaged Water

<div><p>Background</p><p>Packaged water products provide an increasingly important source of water for consumption. However, recent studies raise concerns over their safety.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>To assess the microbial safety of packaged water, examine differences between regions, country incomes, packaged water types, and compare packaged water with other water sources.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Articles published in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish, with no date restrictions were identified from online databases and two previous reviews. Studies published before April 2014 that assessed packaged water for the presence of <i>Escherichia coli</i>, thermotolerant or total coliforms were included provided they tested at least ten samples or brands.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 170 studies were included in the review. The majority of studies did not detect fecal indicator bacteria in packaged water (78/141). Compared to packaged water from upper-middle and high-income countries, packaged water from low and lower-middle-income countries was 4.6 (95% CI: 2.6–8.1) and 13.6 (95% CI: 6.9–26.7) times more likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria and total coliforms, respectively. Compared to all other packaged water types, water from small bottles was less likely to be contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.17–0.58) and total coliforms (OR = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.22). Packaged water was less likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.62) compared to other water sources used for consumption.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Policymakers and regulators should recognize the potential benefits of packaged water in providing safer water for consumption at and away from home, especially for those who are otherwise unlikely to gain access to a reliable, safe water supply in the near future. To improve the quality of packaged water products they should be integrated into regulatory and monitoring frameworks.</p></div