Effect of leaching on heavy metals concentration of soil in some dumpsites

Study on the effect of leaching on heavy metals concentration at dumpsites was conducted by analyzing samples of soil collected from different dumpsites located within Ikere and Ado Ekiti metropolis, South Western Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Sn and Zn. Control soil samples were taken at 200 m away from the last sampling point on each dump site down the slope and were also analyzed for the presence of these heavy metals. The results of the analyses show a significant difference in the concentration of these metals from the centre of each dumpsite at interval of 10 – 70 m down the slope (p < 0.05). The dumpsites were found to contain significant amount of toxic heavy metals. Hence, phytoremediation processes were suggested.Key words: Leaching, heavy metals, soil, dumpsites

Dynamics of Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Malaria in an Armed Conflict

Armed conflict and war and infectious diseases are globally among the leading causes of human suffering and premature death. Moreover, they are closely interlinked, as an adverse public health situation may spur violent conflict, and violent conflict may favor the spread of infectious diseases. The consequences of this vicious cycle are increasingly borne by civilians, often as a hidden and hence neglected burden. We analyzed household data that were collected before and after an armed conflict in a rural part of western Côte d'Ivoire, and investigated the dynamics of socioeconomic risk factors for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and malaria. We identified a worsening of the sanitation infrastructure, decreasing use of protective measures against mosquito bites, and increasing difficulties to reach public health care infrastructure. In contrast, household crowding, the availability of soap, and the accessibility of comparatively simple means of health care provision (e.g., traditional healers and community health workers) seemed to be more stable. Knowledge about such dynamics may help to increase crisis-proofness of critical infrastructure and public health systems, and hence mitigate human suffering due to armed conflict and war