Effects of Management Practices on Soil Nutrient Levels in Sabke Catchment Area, Nigeria

In Nigeria’s drylands, profitable crop production requires adequate soil fertility management. This study examines the effects of farmer-managed practices on soil fertility in Sabke catchment of the drylands. Seven sites under permanent cropland, fallow land, grassland, shrubland, orchard land, intercropping land and woodland distributed on four transects were selected across the catchment. At every site, five replicate soil samples were collected from 0-15cm (topsoil) and 20-30cm (subsoil) and analysed for C, N, P, Ca, Mg, K and Na. Higher topsoil values of most of the properties were observed under cropland and intercropping sites. The two cultivated plots receive annual applications of organic manure in addition to chemical fertilizer and crops residue retention while the other plots are not. Thus, improvement in soil organic matter and nutrients would be expected in soils of the area with high rate of application of manure and chemical fertilizer, and retention of crop residue

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL CONDITION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BEING USED IN SOIL FERTILITY MAINTENANCE IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

This paper reports the results of a study conducted to evaluate the chemical condition and heavy metal contents of MSW being used in soil fertility maintenance by local farmers in Zaria urban area. Samples of the wastes were collected from major dumpsites in six major areas of the town (namely Muchiya, Sabon Gari, Gaskiya, Samaru, Tudun Wada and Gyallesu). The wastes were sorted out to obtain the solid fractions which were digested and analysed for pH, N, P, C, Ca, Mg, K, Na, CEC, BS, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb using standard procedures. The results obtained indicate that pH values range between 5.60 and 9.50, N 0.39 to 0.70%, P 29.32 to 56.0 ppm, C 2.35 to 4.63 %, Ca 6.20 to 23.44 Cmol/kg, Mg 2.16 to 13.46 Cmol/kg, K 3.82 to 9.32 Cmol/kg, Na 1.22 to 7.57 Cmol/kg, CEC 22 to 58.56 Cmol/kg, % BS 82.25 to 90.02, Cu 0.84 to 7.50 mg/kg, Zn 10.20 to 25.00 mg/kg, Mn 32.0 258.0 mg/kg, Fe, 62.0 to 864 mg/kg, Cr 1.30 top 33.36 mg/kg, Cd 1.45 to 6.20, Ni 1.20 to 53.35 and Pb 1.50 to 13.35. The results obtained thus indicate that the fertility rating of the wastes in the various areas is high to very high, except that of sodium which is rated as low. While Zn, Fe, Cr and Pb exist in high proportions and the remaining heavy metals exist in comparatively lower proportions in the waste samples. The soil fertility maintenance and public health implications of these results are discussed in light of the long term implications of sodium and heavy metal accumulations in soils receiving urban wastes applications in the area

Mechanical and dynamic mechanical characterization of groundnut shell powder filled recycled high density polyethylene composites

Groundnut shell powder (GSP) reinforced recycled high density polyethylene composites were developed via melt mixing and compression moulding techniques. GSP was alkaline treated to increase its compatibility with the polymer matrix. The developed composites were subjected to mechanical properties test and thermal characterization using 242E dynamic mechanical analyzer. Results obtained indicated an enhancement in mechanical properties of the recycled high density polyethylene composites compared to the unreinforced (control sample). Similarly, dynamic mechanical properties results showed that the storage modulus of all the composites increase with increase in weight percentage of GSP incorporated. The energy dissipation in form of heat (loss modulus) and damping peaks (Tan ∂) values were found to be reduced with the incorporation of alkaline treated GSP which implies an improvement in thermal stability and load bearing capacity of the composites

Effect of groundnut shell powder on the viscoelastic properties of recycled high density polyethylene composites

In the quest to clean up the environment and produce economically viable materials from plastic wastes and readily available natural fibres, groundnut shell powder reinforced recycled high density polyethylene composite was prepared via two roll melt mixing and compression moulding technique. The dynamic mechanical properties of the composites such as storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and damping parameter (Tan ∂) were investigated using 242E dynamic mechanical analyzer in a temperature range from 30oC 100oC at a frequency of 1 Hz. It was found that the storage modulus of all the composites decrease with increase in temperature with composite containing 25%wt fibre having maximum E' value of 1158.47MPa compared to 1033.58MPa of the unreinforced recycled high density polyethylene. These results indicated that the thermal stability and load bearing capacity of the recycled high density polyethylene have been improved with the incorporation of groundnut shell powder. Scanning Electron micrographs showed better interfacial adhesion between treated groundnut shell powder in the polymer matrix; this explained the observed improvement in the viscoelastic properties of the composites.Keywords: Mechanical Properties, Groundnut Shell Powder, Recycled polyethylene, Viscolastic, Composites

The Effect of Chromium and Manganese Addition on the Corrosion of As-cast Al-Si-Fe-Cu Alloy System in Caustic Soda

The effect of chromium and manganese addition on the corrosion of Al-Si-Fe-Cu alloy system in caustic soda (NaOH) at room temperature (28 °C) was investigated using weight loss method. The alloys containing 0.1 to 0.3% Cr and Mn were produced and sand cast into cylindrical test bars at the foundry shop of the National Metallurgical Development Center, Jos. After casting the microstructures of the as- cast alloys were determined. The as-cast test bars were machined to corrosion coupons and immersed into 0.5M NaOH solution and their rate of corrosion determined using the weight loss method. It was observed that  simultaneous addition of chromium and manganese to the alloy system imparted the highest corrosion resistance to the alloy due to the formation of hard and passive phases which acted as strong protective barriers to corrosion. While addition of chromium alone to the alloy gave a better corrosion resistance than the addition of manganese alone due to the formation of passive oxide layer of chromium oxide

Chemical, mineralogical and petrological characterization of Gyaza iron ore deposit, Katsina State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Effect of benzoyl chloride treatment on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of plantain peel powder - reinforced polyethylene composites

Mechanical and dynamic mechanical analysis of plantain peel powder (PPP) reinforced polyethylene composites has been investigated. The PPP was treated with benzoyl chloride to reduce potential surface hindrances and bring about adhesion. The percentage fibre loading was varied from 0-25 % (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25) respectively. Ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus and hardness test data showed an improvement in mechanical properties of the treated fibre composites. Water absorption results indicated that benzoyl chloride treated PPP-recycled polyethylene composites have lower rate of water absorption than the untreated samples. Dynamic mechanical properties results showed that the storage modulus (E') of all the composites increase with increase in fibre loading and decrease with increase in temperature; composite containing 25 % (A25) PPP having the maximum E' value of 678 MPa compared to 576 MPa of the control sample. The results indicated that incorporation of plantain peel powder actually improved the thermal stability and the load bearing capacity of the recycled polyethylene composites.Keywords: Dynamic mechanical analysis, plantain peel powder, polyethylene composites, recycled low density polyethylen

Effect of reagent type on the froth floatation of Sokoto phosphate ore

Effect of reagent type on the froth floatation of Sokoto phosphate ore for its beneficiation has been established. The samples of the Sokoto phosphate mineral ore used for the research work were sourced from mining locations in Dange-Shuni, Bodinga, Yabo, Wurno, and Rabbah Local Government Areas of Sokoto State. Size-Assay analysis conducted on scrubbed Sokoto Phosphates nodules revealed that nodules had a size distribution with 80% passing 29.3 mm. Flotation Tests using AERO704 (fatty Acid), Alkyl Hydroxamates, Melamine as collectors (alone or mixed with diesel), MIBC as frother, Calcium Hydroxide and Sulphuric Acid as pH regulators and Dextrin, Sodium Silicate and Aluminium Chloride as depressants produced poor P2O5 separation in the flotation products due to very poor liberation associated with very fine mineral grains. Based on the results obtained, AERO704 Collector gave the best result with aP2O5 recovery pH of 10

Effect of particle size on the froth floatation of Sokoto phosphate ore

Effect of particle size on the froth floatation of Sokoto phosphate ore for its beneficiation has been investigated and established. The research has been conducted using various reagents, pH(s) at different sieve size fractions. Bench scale flotation tests were carried out on -250+180μm, -180+106μm, -106+75μm, -75+45μm and -45+38μm particle size fractions after screening in order to determine the optimum flotation feed size distribution using 1 liter Denver flotation cell. The results of the scoping flotation studies using a conditioning Pulp Density of 60%Solids, pH9, 800g/t reagent dosage for AERO704 Promoter (Fatty Acid) and flotation pulp density of 28.5% Solids show that +106μm particle size gave the highest assay content of 20.4% P2O5 with a recovery of 76.2% compared to +38μm (19.9%P2O5 and recovery of 43.2%) and +180μm (19.4%P2O5 and 24.1% recovery) in their floats (concentrates) but with no perfect separation as the tailings fraction also contained similar grades with slight differences

Time of arrival 3-D position estimation using minimum ADS-B receiver configuration

The location from which a signal is transmitted can be estimated using the time it takes to be detected at a receiver. The difference between transmission time and the detection time is known as time of arrival (TOA). In this work, an algorithm for 3-dimensional (3-D) position estimation (PE) of an emitter using the minimum receiving stations configuration was developed. The TOA measurements estimated from three automatic surveillance dependent broadcast (ADS-B) receivers are used to evaluate the performance of the PE algorithm. The result shows that the triangular ADS-B receiver configuration is capable of 3-D PE for emitter locations within 190 km coverage radius and that the altitude estimation error is 2 km higher than the horizontal coordinate estimation error. Within the 3-D PE coverage of the ADS-B receiver, the maximum horizontal and altitude error expected are 0.12 km and 2.2 km respectively.Keywords: TOA, ADS-B, position estimation, minimum configuration, surveillanc