Evaluation of groundwater quality in a rural community in North Central of Nigeria

Evaluation of water quality of nine boreholes and three open hand-dug wells in a rural community in North Central Nigeria revealed relative abundance of cations Na > k > Ca >Mg> Zn > Pb and anions Cl− > PO4 2 − > SO4 2 − > NO3− in the boreholes and cations Ca>Na>K>Mg>Pb and anions NO3− > PO4 2 − > SO4 2 − > Cl− in the wells. The major contaminants exceeding SON and WHO permissible limits were NO3−, Mg, TH, pH and Mg, Pb, TH, pH and DO in the wells and boreholes, respectively. They are attributable to anthropogenic sources such as domestic waste water and poor waste disposal and natural sources such as mineral dissolution from clayey aquifer which made the acidic groundwater unsuitable for consumption unless they are appropriately treated. Correlation studies revealed existence of three major mineral groups in the aquifer Ca-Fe group, Na-Mg group, Zn-K group, as well as a minor group Pb-group, and they determine the chemical composition of the groundwater and the ionic exchange between the groundwater and mineral-bearing clayey aquifer. In order to curb microbial contamination by Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli, it is recommended that proper latrines and drainages be provided while domesticated animals should be restricted from boreholes and well. Further, treatment with water guard and pur purifier is recommended

Seismic vulnerability and inventory of at-risk elements in the wine industry: Auckland region case study

Seismic vulnerability is a major threat to New Zealand's winery industry. Many studies have assessed the vulnerability of New Zealand wineries, especially in high seismic regions. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the earthquake susceptibility of wineries in low seismic regions, such as Auckland. This study investigated the earthquake vulnerability of wineries in the Auckland region by (i) creating an inventory of the elements at risk in the wineries and (ii) assessing the level of vulnerability of these elements. As case studies, twenty-one wineries from various parts of the Auckland region were chosen. The research findings identified key elements at risk of seismic hazard in Auckland wineries using a field survey, including buildings, storage tanks, catwalks, and barrel racks. Furthermore, the findings revealed that at-risk elements are vulnerable to moderate to high levels, emphasising the need for resilience strategies to reduce potential earthquake losses. This study concluded that low seismic risk does not imply low vulnerability, and that Auckland winery owners should reconsider their views on seismic risk mitigation. The study's findings benefit both winery owners and industry professionals by providing insights into the Auckland winery's vulnerability level and recommending approaches to improving the winery's organisational resilience

A short view on the stress corrosion cracking and the prospect of ecofriendly inhibitors

Metallic materials will continue to have challenges related to fracture, transcrystalline, and hydrogen embrittlement corrosion due to severe area of application that is unavoidable. The study into the performance of metallic materials has shown that corrosion mechanism through stress corrosion cracking often occurs vis-viz due to the electrochemical and reduction reaction. The phase diagram is important to solve problems related to hot corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, intergranular corrosion, and stresses corrosion cracking challenges. The need to look into the defining mechanism from the researcher cannot be underestimated. These overviews provide insight on related problem definition and formulation towards corrosion challenges and possible assessment of the corrosion inhibitors

Production and characterization of AA6061/clay silicon nanocomposite for industrial application

Composites have been used as the needed material of current interest to curb deficiencies and meeting the ever-increasing demand in science and technology. In this study, production was done by stir casting method and the mechanical properties of AA606l/clay were assessed. The cast was manufactured with liquid metallurgy route through the reinforcement of 2 - 8 weight percentages of particle sizes of 75 μm clay. The microstructural test such as SEM/EDS and mechanical properties were examined. From the results, the mechanical properties were found to increase at 8 % clay reinforcement. SEM images showed that uniform dispersal of particulates occur in the cast and an increase up to 8 % clay revealed significant blending of matrix and reinforcement as evidenced in the surface morphology study

The simplicity of electrochemical degradation of materials and its susceptibility

The study of corrosion is vital to reducing the overhead costs in the manufacturing industries. However, finding suitable application methods for prevention is a concern due to manufacturer specification and resource investment procedure. The coating is recognized as one of the foremost ways of applying resistance to corrosion damage. Electro deposition is a unique technology because of its excellent control of the chemical properties, mechanical strengthening behavior, and structural evolution over time. Thus, these overview studies discuss the possible simplicity of electrochemical degradation of metal, the susceptibility within the metal range, and the protective coatings characteristics

Developing Appropriate Techniques to Alleviate the Ogun River Network Annual Flooding Problems

The perennial annual flooding problems occurring in Lagos and Ogun States during the rainy season due largely to release of excess water from the multi-purpose Oyan Dam reservoir built across Oyan River, a tributary of Ogun River, located in Abeokuta North Local Government of Ogun State, has reached unacceptable level. Annually, the flooding hazard causes severe economic, social, ecological and environmental impacts such as displacement of no less than 1,280 residents, interruption of major roads which inevitably leads to loss of valuable man-hours, infection of surface and ground water leading to increased incidences of water-borne diseases, disruption of commercial and educational activities and recession of shoreline. This paper reviews the genesis and root causes of the flooding problems with a view to proffer the best approach to alleviate and solve this problem on a permanent basis combining hydraulic and hydrological best practices

Evaluation of the suitability of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste as fine aggregate in concrete

This study evaluates an alternative solid waste management option for Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) waste commonly called “pure water sachet” as partial replacement of sand in concrete. Three mix ratios of 1:1:2, 1:1.5:3, 1:2:4 were used while the LDPE waste materials were obtained from within University of Lagos campus, in Lagos State of Nigeria. The pulverized LDPE plastic waste, with compacted and uncompacted bulk densities of 362.9 kg/m 403.23 kg/m3 respectively, could be classified as an ultra-lightweight fine aggregate in terms of bulk density. The bulk density of the plastic concretes produced using 1:1:2, 1:1.5:3 and 1:2:4 range between 2417.78-2548 kg/m3, 2348.63-2589.63 kg/m3, 2429.63-2424.6 kg/m3, respectively with compressive strength range of 22.64-34.26, 20.47-27.32 and 20.21-27.47 N/mm2 and could be classified as normal-weight concrete which meets the minimum compressive strength for use as lightweight aggregate in plain concrete (7N/mm2). The optimum and preferable mix is 1:1:2

The Challenges of Water Supply for A Megacity: A Case Study of Lagos Metropolis

Lagos State has grown from 300,000 and 500,000 in 1950 and 1991 to an unprecedented population of 15.7 million (Mabogunje, 2002). Already, it is projected to have a population of 25 million by 2015 which will make Lagos the third largest megacity after Tokyo and Bombay and a population of 29 million by 2020, with an annual growth rate of 8 %( UNCHS, 1996; George, 2010; LWC, 2011). This scenario presents enormous emerging challenges as well as opportunities that are numerous, diverse and inevitable. This geometric population growth, coupled with accelerated industrialization and urbanization, has contributed immensely to the hydra-headed problems of water scarcity, uneven and inadequate pipe-borne water distribution and transmission, increased exposure to incidence of water-borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera leading to loss of lives and valuable man-hours. There is increased reliability on unwholesome water sources such as “pure” water sachets, polluted surface and underground waters, and increased urban poverty owing to a combination of the above problems, the increased cost of production for industries and increased distribution losses (Akunyili, 2003). The major elements of water supply include surface and groundwater sources, water-treatment works-primary, secondary and tertiary, and pipe distribution systems. Lagos Metropolis and its environs are served by three (3) major waterworks, twenty-seven (27) mini-waterworks, out of which fifteen (15) were recently commissioned and ten (10) micro-waterworks, with a combined production capacity of 240MGD, which meets about 40% of current demand (LWC, 2011). The rivers which traverse the state, namely Rivers Ogun, Oshun, Aye, Owo, Yewa, Iju all combine to produce a total safe yield of 3,565 MLD. The groundwater aquifer under the state located in the Coastal Plain Sand and Abeokuta formations at a depth between 600-800m is capable of a total yield of 650, 000 m3/day (Oyegoke, 1986; Longe et al, 1987; Coode, 1997). An estimated $3 Billion will be required for massive water infrastructural development within the next ten years according to Lagos State Government while$3.7389B investment is required to produce 3954 MLD (870MGD) which is enough to meet the year 2025 forecasted demand of 3900 MLD according to Challenge International Associates (2006). This can only be met by Public-Private Partnerships while concerted effort is made for investment recovery

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF DISINFECTION METHODS FOR IMPROVING WATER QUALITY

The efficiencies of three disinfection methods namely boiling, water guard and pur purifier were assessed. The micro-organisms isolated from the groundwater samples were Escherichia coli and E. aerogenes. The major components of Water Guard and Pur Purifier were found to be NaNO2,SO4, Cl2; and NaNO2, Ca, CaCO3, SO4, Mg and ClO2 respectively. Pur purifier was most effective for removal of electrical conductivity, nitrate, total coliform and yeast while Water Guard was most effective for removal of phosphate, potassium, E-Coli and Fungi. In addition, boiling and water guard were most effective for removal of turbidity while boiling was most effective for removal of chlorine. Furthermore, Water Guard was found to be the cheapest with an estimated monthly household cost of N240. Use of Water Guard for disinfecting household groundwater sources utilized for drinking and cooking is highly encouraged among the rural populace to safeguard their health against waterborne diseases

Climate Change Impact on Infrastructure in Osogbo Metropolis, South-West Nigeria

This research aims at analyzing the variability of rainfall over Osogbo between 1960-2010 and the associated impact on the design of road projects within Osun State. While Mann Kendall analyses showed a positive trend in annual rainfall, ANOVA tests showed that the inter-annual variability of rainfall was not statistically significant. Rainfall variability of 15.6% was obtained for the study area while the mean annual Standardized Precipitation Index value of -0.1198 indicated that the inter-annual variation of rainfall was near normal. In terms of coefficient of variation, monthly rainfall was majorly seasonal and slightly moderately seasonal, with the highest and least coefficient of variations of 3.81 and 0.30 obtained in April and June respectively. The significance of this research was that it was able to reveal both increasing monthly rainfalls as well as increasing mean decadal annual rainfall in the study area. Furthermore, hydrologic modelling of runoff from Osogbo watersheds revealed that out of the seven culverts that were investigated, four were grossly inadequate which require upgrade while the remaining three culverts require regular desilting maintenance. The potential benefit of this research is that it has revealed that utilization of non-certified professionals by the State Government in the design and execution of road and drainage projects often leads to ill-conceived and poorly executed projects which does not justify the huge expenditure on such projects and further exposes the populace to more catastrophic flooding incidences. Engagement of certified engineering professionals in the design, construction and supervision of road and drainage projects guarantees best value for money. In addition, it is recommended that rainfall variability and climate change impacts must be factored in the design of drainage systems in order to increase their resilience to climate variability and the associated negative impacts such as flooding