Air Quality Indexing, Mapping and Principal Components Analysis of Ambient Air Pollutants around Farm Settlements across Ogun State, Nigeria

The focus of this study was to portray the spatial pattern of air quality across seasons in the eight sampled farm settlements using air quality indexes and assess the clusters of monitored air pollutants. The concentrations of air pollutants were determined using in-situ portable gas detectors and particulate counter. The AQI for each criteria pollutants (CO, O3, TSP, PM10, SO2, and PM2.5) was calculated using AQI formulae of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and mapped using the Inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation method in the Geographic information systems (GIS) environment. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group the parameters and estimate the interrelationships between the loadings of the parameters in each component. The AQI ranges of pollutants which deviated from the acceptable good status are CO (71.98 – 238 and 88.85 – 220.93), NO2 (10.14 – 107.07 and 10.84 – 72.88) and PM2.5 (12.90 – 70.85 and 12.56 – 54.02) for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. There were five and four PCs with eigenvalues > 1, accounting for 69.75% and 61.73% of the total variance during the wet and dry season, respectively. The parameters in each component are as follows; PC1 - TSP, PM10, PM2.5, Bacteria and fungi; PC2 - CO and Temperature; PC3 - relative humidity and O3; PC4 - CO2; PC5 - NO2 and SO2 for the wet season and PC1 - TSP, PM10, PM2.5, Bacteria and fungi; PC2 - NH3 and NO2; PC3 - CO2 and O3; PC4 - Temperature and relative humidity during the dry season. Biomass burning, engine exhausts and fine-particulate related activities are sources of air pollution and such may pose negative implication to human health and environment. Therefore, the use of alternative biomass disposal, regular servicing of processing engines and the wearing of protective wears against dust are recommended

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 7 (2005): AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN NIGERIA by Yahaya Mijinyaw

Evaluation of Farm Transportation System in Osun and Oyo States of Nigeria

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 7 (2005): Evaluation of Farm Transportation System in Osun and Oyo States of Nigeria by Yahaya Mijinyawa and John Abayomi Adetunj

Meteorological and Air Pollution Assessment from Road Use and Construction in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions (Ghana)

The study identified the impacts of air pollutants and their relationships with meteorological parameters. Pollutants generated from road construction and use compared with WHO and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) guidelines revealed the median of PM10 (76µg/m3), PM2.5 (26.1µg/m3), NO2 (36µg/m3), SO2 (236 µg/m3), noise (75dBA) at Somanya sampling location were above the WHO guidelines for air quality. Whiles PM10, SO2, and noise were above the (GSA) permissible limits. The Mataheko location had median values of PM10 (100.4 µg/m3), PM2.5 (24.9µg/m3), NO2 (41.0 µg/m3), SO2 (26 µg/m3), noise (75.5 dBA) above the WHO limits, whereas only noise and PM10, were above the GSA limits for ambient air quality. Construction activities released PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and noise above WHO and GSA limits. Though the quantities detected are not directly comparable to air quality recommendations, which are based on 24-hour or annual averages, they raise concerns about public health and policy. Keywords: road, road construction, air pollutants, atmospheric parameters, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-3-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Evaluation of a Greenhouse under Tropical Conditions Using Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) as the Test Crop

Irish potato is a tuberous staple food predominantly grown in Plateau State, a temperate climate. As a result of the high demand for Irish potato, there is a shortage in its supply in Nigeria. The shortage in its supply could be attributed to climate change and the fall in the production level. This study sought to establish the potential of a greenhouse (GH) for the production of Irish potato in the tropics. The experiments were carried out in the rainy and dry seasons of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. Nicola, Diamant, Batita, New Seed and Okonkwo varieties of Irish potato were cultivated inside and outside the greenhouse. Thirty seedlings of each variety were planted using Completely Randomised Experimental Design. Greenhouse performance was evaluated in terms of air temperature, relative humidity, vapour pressure deficit, yield, stem diameter, stem height and dry matter content. The result of the analysis of variance revealed that the mean greenhouse and open-field temperature, relative humidity and vapour pressure deficit differed significantly at 0.01 during the rainy and dry season. The yield and growth data in and outside the greenhouse were significantly different at 0.01. Diamant, Batista and Okonkwo varieties are recommended for GH production

Industrial noise level study in a wheat processing factory in ilorin, nigeria

An industrial process such as wheat processing generates significant noise which can cause adverse effects on workers and the general public. This study assessed the noise level at a wheat processing mill in Ilorin, Nigeria. A portable digital sound level meter HD600 manufactured by Extech Inc., USA was used to determine the noise level around various machines, sections and offices in the factory at pre-determined distances. Subjective assessment was also mode using a World Health Organization (WHO) standard questionnaire to obtain information regarding noise ratings, effect of noise on personnel and noise preventive measures. The result of the study shows that the highest noise of 99.4 dBA was recorded at a pressure blower when compared to other machines. WHO Class-4 hearing protector is recommended for workers on the shop floor and room acoustics should be upgraded to absorb some sounds transmitted to offices