Transformation of diesel range hydrocarbons by inorganic double salts

Ability of double salts: Ammonium cobalt (ll) sulphate hexahydrate (NH4)2Co (SO4)2.6H2O and Potassium aluminium sulphate dodecahydrate KAl(SO4)2.12H2O to degrade diesel range hydrocabons (DRH) were investigated by treating a sample of diesel with the double salts at elevated temperature of 200oC. The degradation or otherwise of the hydrocarbons in the treated and untreated diesel samples were determined using Gas chromatography (GC). The results showed that the double salts were able to alter the hydrocarbon fingerprint of the diesel sample as the C11-C14 aliphatic hydrocarbons were drastically reduced and the C16-C36 range of hydrocarbons experienced noticeable increase. The hump for unresolved complex mixtures was retained in all the chromatograms, showing that the salts were unable to alter the oxygenated compounds in the diesel sample.Keywords: Diesel, double salt, Hydrocarbons, Gas Chromatograph

Distribution of trace metals in parts of stock fish marketed in three markets around Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This research was carried out to determine the distribution of trace metals in parts (head and tail) of stock fish marketed in three markets around Port Harcourt (Rumuokoro, Choba and Alakahia markets). Iron (Fe) concentration values was the highest in all the fish samples (ranging from 0.98-3.09 mg/kg) while Nickel was below the detection limit with exception of the fish head sample obtained from Alakahia market (0.003 mg/kg). The concentration of the heavy metals were below the recommended limit suggested by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), European Union Commission (EU/EC), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Federal Protection Agency (FEPA) with the exception of cadmium (Cd) in the fish head samples (0.061 and 0.081 mg/kg) obtained from the Choba and Alakahia markets which were above the EU recommended limits (0.05 mg/kg)