Phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils by arsenic hyperaccumulating plants in selected areas of Enugu State, Southeastern, Nigeria

Under the current study phytoremediation of arsenic from a tropical wetlands and lakes in selected areas of Enugu State was performed. Thirteen soil, plant root and shoot samples used in this research were collected respectively from the Adani Wetlands (six samples), Opi-Agu Lakes (four samples) and control sites (three samples). The plant and soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory using Standard Methods. In the study, As contaminated soils, with maximum As value was observed in Ada Rice Farm 2 (468.0 mg kg−1) followed by Ohuno Wetland 2 (442.0 mg kg−1) and Ada Rice Farm 3 (304 mg kg−1). The highest BCF value (3.31) was recorded in Pteridium Aquilinum root and 1.76 in Ludwigia Erecta shoot, and lowest amount of 0.73 was in Cyperus Exaltatus root and 0.14 in Nymphaea Maculata shoot of As contaminated soils. The translocation factor of As from soil to shoot in the agricultural soils (Adani areas) were found to be in the order of Corrigiola Telephiifolia (1.54) > Ludwigia Erecta (0.57) > Acroccras Amplectens (0.54) > Cyperus Exaltatus (0.45) > Cyperus Imbricatus (0.29) > Nymphaea Maculata (0.14) while in the lake soils (Opi-Agu areas), the translocation factor of As from soil to roots were measured in the order of Sacciolepis Cymbiandra (1.20) > Pteridium Aquilinum (0.53) > Lasimorpha Senegalesis (0.43) > Afromomum Daniellii (0.36). Present research showed that indicated plant species can be used as As accumulator in As polluted soils

Assessment of the impact of onsite sanitary sewage system and agricultural wastes on groundwater quality in Ikem and its environs, south-eastern Nigeria

Physicochemical, multivariate, and bacteriological analyses were integrated to assess the impact of onsite sanitary sewage and agricultural waste on groundwater quality in Ikem and its environs. Results of the physicochemical analysis suggest that groundwater samples in the study area are acidic, with very few samples having electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids above WHO standard for drinking water. The abundance of the major ions are in the following order: Ca2+˃Mg2+˃K+˃Na+˃ Cl− = PO42- ˃NO3−˃HCO3−˃SO42-. Fifty-five percent of the stiff plot shows Ca2+ – Cl− water type and 45% of the stiff shows Na++ K+ – Cl− water type. The dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area are Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl−SO42- (83%) and Na++ K+ and SO42- + Cl− (17%). Durov and Piper diagrams illustrated that simple mineral dissolution and ion exchange processes are mainly responsible for variation in the hydrogeochemistry. Bacteriological analysis shows that the groundwater is contaminated with faecal waste. The principal component analysis, correlation, and cluster analysis reflect Faecal matter contamination through onsite sanitary sewage system, leaching of agricultural waste into the groundwater and weathering and dissolution of host rocks. Groundwater flow direction is local and controlled by topographic highs, weathering and fracturing of the host rock in the study area

An assessment of the effectiveness of drilling waste treatment process in X-gas field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

These processes often attenuate the hazardous effects of these wastes, which may otherwise obviously manifest on the vegetation, soil, and water resources of an area. This research aims to determine the degree of environmental friendliness of drilling wastes generated from X-Gas Field, using results of physiochemical analysis in comparison with regulatory limits set by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)/Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv). A total of 38 water samples were collected from the drilling, cuttings, mud, and waste pit. The results reveal the concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, total suspended solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Pb, and Fe3+ above standard desirable limits stipulated by DPR and/or FMEnv. The high values of TDS, salinity, TSS, BOD, COD, Fe3+, and Pb indicate pollution from drilling wastes such as waste lubricant, spent bulk chemicals, contaminated water, and oil-based mud. Results of physicochemical analysis carried out on samples from drilling point, waste pit, and ash after thermal desorption process show that these elements are made less harmful and hence fit for disposal, reuse, or recycle. The statistical correlation and distribution of the ions show that EC, TSS and Cr3+, turbidity, total hydrocarbon content, BOD, COD, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ have positive correlation indicating that the ions are derived from the same source