Evaluation of gully erosion sites inselected rainforest and derived savannah ecosystem in Abia State, south east Nigeria

A study of gully erosion sites in selected Rainforest and derived savannah ecosystem was undertaking. Two single factor experiments in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications were utilized separately to determine the dimensions of gullies in erosion sites. Result revealed that gully dimension in rainforest area of Abia State were highest in length in Ahiaeke Ntigbu at 1436.67m and lowest in Ossah Ibeku at 400m, width were highest in Amigbo Ubakala at 52m and lowest at 30m, depth were highest inAmigbo Ubakala at 31.67m and lowest in Ossah Ibeku at 16m. In derived savannah were seen highest in lentgh in Oruruala Amayi at 1450m and lowest in Amaekpu at 440m,width were highest in Oruruala Amayi at 92m and lowest in Akanu at 31.67m and depth were highest Oruruala Amayiin 33.33m and lowest in Akanu at 18.33m. Result of the study revealed gully erosion are more active in derived savannah area than the rainforest area of Abia State due to the type of soil in the region. Observation revealed that soil erosion in some communities was aggravated by human activities, such as deforestation and bush burning/removal of vegetation cover, mining activities, urban development and sand excavation. This problem is affecting the development because infrastructures such as houses, roads and many others are being destroyed yearly and this in turn constitutes an environmental menace. The services of competent professionals for design, construction and supervision of erosion control and soil conservation measures should be ensured and utilized.Keywords: Soil degradation, Soil erosion, rainforest, derived savanna

Co-Occurrence of Study Difficulty, Psychoactive Substance Use/Abuse and Psychiatric Morbidity among Undergraduate Students and the Organization of the Future

Management practitioners and students have always been interested and concerned about human resource behaviour in the organizations. Ideally, there should have been a positive correlation between accumulated knowledge from higher institutions and improved human resource behaviour in the organizations but this has not been so yet. Despite all the accumulated knowledge on behaviour, human problems have continued to pose a major challenge confronting organizations. Axiomatically, graduates turned out from Higher Institutions should be knowledgeable enough to carry the future organization to the next level. However, in a situation where the students have difficulty in their studies, they might turn out to be ‘half baked’ students who will not be able to have the adequate competences to give the organization of the future the competitive edge they need to succeed. The state of mental health of any student is vital in pursuance of excellent academic career. The co-occurrence of study difficulty, psychoactive substance use/abuse and psychiatric morbidity termed (‘The Triad’) in students definitely would have detrimental effects on their mental health.  The three pronged negative impact of’ “The Triad” on mental health of the university students had led to school dropouts, and extra  years of studying in the university, with  the attendant economic burden and social consequences on their families and the society at large. The objective of this study is to provide information on the extent of the co-occurrence of study difficulty, psychoactive substance use and psychiatric morbidity among students in our universities and how it might after organizational competence and competitive edge in the future. Also, the study seeks to provide insight that may be useful in enhancing students’ academic performance, reduction of psychoactive substance use/abuse among students and, the development of mental health hygiene conducive to academic work among students Key words: study difficulty, psychoactive substance use/abuse, psychiatric morbidity, organization of the future, TRIA

Solid Wastes Composition and Generation in Selected Hotels at Aba and Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

A comparative study on solid wastes composition and generation in selected hotels in Umuahia and Aba metropolis of Abia state was conducted with a single factor experiment in randomized complete block design to determine the types and quantities of municipal solid waste generated at specific location in the two municipalities with three replications in both locations. The result shows Food/putrescible waste and glass/bottles are generated significantly higher than any other wastes types with mean values (73.44kg, 59.89kg 58.77kg, 54.61kg) and respectively in Aba and Umuahia city followed by plastic and polybags with significant low in inert and textile waste with mean value of (14.4kg, 22.03kg) and (13.12kg, 17.28kg) in Umuahia and Aba respectively. The study recommend that waste should be sorted out into their various components at source before disposal and emphasis should be laid on reuse for waste reduction, reuse and recycling of waste to mitigate the problem of waste in our cities.Keywords: Aba, Comparative Study, Hotels, Solid waste, waste compositio

Spatiotemporal Variation of Abattoir Operation on Soil Quality Dynamics in Umuahia South, Abia State, Nigeria

Heaps of abattoir wastes are commonly sighted in most abattoirs in Nigeria which constitute serious environmental and public health hazards. The study aimed at assessing the spatiotemporal variation of abattoir operation on soil quality in Umuahia South, Abia State, Nigeria. A total of nine composite samples were collected from three different locations at graded distance. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of physicochemical parameters. The results indicate that the mean pH value was 5.90, organic carbon 1.31% and 2.27% organic matter respectively. Mean values of 2.10 g/kg and 3.66 mg/kg were observed for total nitrogen and available phosphorus respectively. The exchangeable cations were observed to be 0.53Cmol/kg, 2.31Cmol/kg, 0.49Cmol/kg and 0.67Cmol/kg for Potassium, Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium respectively. The mean cation exchange capacity was 8.70Cmol/kg, mean percentage base saturation was 46.04% and mean of electrical conductivity was 5.96, Mean values of 5.06, 1.70%, 2.94%, 2.81g/kg, 5.28mg/kg, 0.63Cmol/kg, 3.17Cmol/kg, 0.50Cmol/kg, 0.51Cmol/kg, 8.64Cmol/kg and 55.29%, percentage organic carbon and organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, cation exchange capacity and percentage base saturation, electrical conductivity respectively. This study reveals that the possible source of contaminants is due to the unhygienic manner of handling meat in abattoirs and concludes that the results obtained indicated that the quality of the soil is negatively affected by the activities of the abattoir. Regular inspection of abattoirs and strict enforcement of law is hereby recommended.Keyword: Abattoir, Effluent, Pollution, Public health hazar

Determining the physicochemical properties of soil in the selected erosion sites in the rainforest ecosystem in Abia State, Nigeria

This study determined the physico-chemical properties of soil in selected erosion sites in rainforest ecosystem in Abia State Nigeria. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of these physicochemical parameters. Sand content was highest at Ikwuano LGA (82.2%), Ossah-Ibeku (77.2%).0 Ahiaeke (75.20%) and Amigbo (70.20%) were statistically similar. Results of clay contents (%) were significantly different in the following order; Amigbo Ubakala (16.40%) > Ossah Ibeku (13.40%), =Ahiaeke Ntugbu (11.40%) = Oloko (10.40%).For Nitrogen content, the two depths 0-15cm and 15-30cm were statistically similar, while the location (L) x Soil depth (D)treatment interactions were significantly different. For phosphorus content, Ossah Ibeku (20.60%) > Amigbo (14.25%) > Oloko (13.60%) > Ahiaeke (11.74).The difference in the mean potassium (%) content in the locations sampled was significant at P≥ 0.05 except Amigbo-Ubakala in Umuahia south LG.A. and Oloko in Ikwuano LG.A. which had statistically similar values. Potassium (k) content at (15-30cm) soil depth (0.136%) was significantly different from the (0-15cm) soil depth (0.0950%).Sodium (%) contents in Ossah Ibeku and Oloko were statistically similar. Sodium (%) contents decreased with increasing soil depth; the 0-15cm soil depth had higher sodium content (0.13%) than the 15-30cm soil depth (0.12%).Calcium content also decreased with increasing soil depth from 0-15cm depth (5.20%) to 15 - 30cm (4.30%).No significant difference existed between the mean magnesium (%) content of the soil depths (0.15cm and 15.30cm). The EA (%) capacity increased with soil depth. Location x Soil Depth (LxD) treatment interactions, the 0-15cm soil depth generally gave lower EA capacity than the 15-30cm soil depth at P≤ 0.05.Keywords: Soil erosion, Rainforest ecosystem, Erodibilit

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Soil Impacted Mining-Overburden in Enyigba, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study assessed the concentration of selected heavy metals (Lead and Zinc) from surrounding soil of Royal Salt mining company, Enyigba in Abakaliki LGA, Ebonyi State. Soil samples were collected from nine (9) different locations at depths of 0-15 and 15-30cm. Two (2) samples were collected from each of the nine locations, making it total of eighteen (18) samples. Soil analysis carried out were particle size distribution, pH, available Phosphorus, total Nitrogen, Organic Carbon, organic matter, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, exchangeable acidity, Aluminium, effective cation exchange capacity, base saturation and two selected heavy metals, Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn). Results shows that heavy metals were highest in soil around the disposal site of mine waste. The highest value of Pb and Zn was recorded on tailing down (TD) 14.82 and 25.33mg/kg at 0-15cm depth, 7.22 and 18.93mg/kg at 15-30cm depth respectively. The accumulation of Pb and Zn at the mining site (TD) may be due to mining activities, civil, industrial/anthropogenic activities going on around the site. This study recommends regular monitoring of heavy metal  concentration in soil within the mining site and their disposal site in order to conform to international standards set by the WHO. Keywords: Abakaliki, Enyigba, Lead, Royal Salt Limited, Zin

Effects of effluent discharge on man and soil ecosystem in Calabar, south southern Nigeria

The impact of Flour Mill Effluent (FME) on soil physicochemical properties at Ekorinim in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, were analyzed at the depths of 0-15cm and 15-30cm. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of these physicochemical parameters. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the Bulk density in polluted soil ranged from the mean SD 1.23 ± 1.45mg/dm3 and the mean value of non-contaminated soil was 7.4.1±1.20 (mg/dm3), the porosity of polluted soil 0.48 ± 0.55(mg/dm3) and non-polluted soil 0.48 ± 0.33mg/dm3. The pH values in all the sites ranged from 5.01 to 5.70, indicating acidity of the soils. The Soil Organic Carbon concentration values ranged from of O.57% -2.39% in both polluted and non-polluted soils, indicating presence of some organic matter and microbiological activities in the soil samples. The Electrical Conductivity of contaminated soil is extremely saline, while the one of non-polluted soil is very saline indicating significant presence of some soluble inorganic salts in soils studied. Minerals such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium recorded highest concentration in soil with effluent discharged. CEC in polluted and non-polluted soil have mean standard deviation of 2.15 ± 0.74 cmol kg-¹, 1.79 ± 0.74 cmol kg¯¹ respectively, lower than the critical limit of <0.6 cmol kg¯¹ which is low in nature. Significant differences in the levels of manganese, iron, chromium, magnesium, nitrate, clay and sand, temperature, conductivity pH, and CEC across the different Sampling locations and the topsoil of Flour Mill Effluent were observed (ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05) Overall results indicated that, Flour Mill Effluent can add nutrients to the soils if properly harnessed to eliminate heavy metals which constitute a major health risk to the local population through pollution.Keywords: Flour Mill Effluents, Soil Physicochemical properties, Pollution, heavy metal