Response of African oil bean (Pentaclethra Macrophylla Benth) seeds to soils contaminated with spent lubricating oil

This study evaluated the response (seedling emergence) of Pentaclethra macrophylla seeds sown in soils contaminated with spent lubricating oil using 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8% w/w in Asaba, Delta State in 2009. The results showed that 100% of the seeds sown in the control germinated. Significant reductions (P ≥ 0.05) were however recorded in seeds planted in the soils treated with the spent lubricating oil. The effects being concentration dependent. The study has shown that spent lubricating oil has a highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect of reducing the germination percentage and rate of germination of P. macrophylla as well as increasing the days to germination of this multipurpose tree species.Key words: Influence, spent lubricating oil, seedly emergence, Pentaclethra macrophylla

Physical and ionic characteristics in water soluble fraction (WSF) of Olomoro well-head crude oil before and after exposure to Azolla africana Desv.

The values of ionic and physical characteristics at 25, 50 and 100% water soluble fraction (WSF) of Olomoro well-head crude oil before and after exposure to Azolla africana were investigated. The WSFvalues before and after exposure to the plants showed that more ions were available after the introduction of the test plant. The increases in ionic and physical characteristics following introduction to A. africana to WSF decreased the population of the macrophyte. These changes are signs of leakage of ions from the plant cells as a result of ionic stress and thus degradation of the plants. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in heavy metal contents between WSF concentrations of Olomoro crude oil at 0.05% probability. Reduction in NO3 -, Mg++ (100%), Cl- (100%) and V ions in the growth medium (WSF) after exposure to the macrophyte was observed. This indicates uptake of these ions. The results also showed accumulation of Mg at 25 and 100% WSF in the plant tissue after exposure

Oral health knowledge and practice among traders in Ibadan

Background: Adopting good oral health practices such as regular tooth brushing and flossing; healthy nutritional habits and regular visits to the dentist, play a vital role in the wellbeing of an individual by preventing oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. Adequate knowledge of factors related to oral health may influence oral health practices leading to improved oral health.Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the oral health knowledge and practice of a group of adults in Ibadan, Nigeria to enable planning of oral health services.Method: A cross sectional survey involving 400 randomly selected traders at the Bola Ige Modern Market, Gbagi, Ibadan. A semi-structured intervieweradministered questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographics, oral health knowledge and practice. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age of participants was 36.9 ±1.2, 37.0% had adequate knowledge that tooth decay was related to sweet food substances, but the majority (61.9%) consumed carbonated drinks at least once a week. Only 22.8% had ever visited a dentist in their life time and 5.8% in the last six months. Knowledge of who a dentist was associated with their level of education, with more participants who had tertiary education (83%) having greater knowledge (X2= 38.3, p < 0.001). About 70.3% of the study participants used a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean their teeth.Conclusion: There is poor oral health knowledge amongst adult Nigerians and they utilize oral health practices that do not engender good oral health.Keywords: Dental caries, Periodontal disease, Oral health awarenes

Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Alleviation in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

This paper established that biodiversity conservation can aid the alleviation of poverty among the people of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The benefits derived from biodiversity were discussed and the ways through which biodiversity can be applied as a tool in the reduction of poverty were emphasized as including bio-regional management approach to biodiversity conservation, ecotourism, community participation in biodiversity management, advocacy of sericulture and drawing from the experiences, knowledge and ideas of conservation bodies all over the world. The paper also maintained that the extension services of government and non–governmental organizations (NGOS) should not be left out in this process as they are equipped with the teaching, communication and human relationship and rural sociological skills to live up to the tasks in the process of poverty alleviation through biodiversity conservation. Besides, the knowledge and ideas of other professionals including ecologists, conservationists, geographers, zoologists, botanists, taxonomists, and soil scientists should be tapped as biodiversity conservation requires a multi-disciplinary approach

EFFECTS OF SPENT MOTOR OIL ON SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH OF ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L

ABSTRACT A study was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Delta state University, Asaba Campus, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of spent motor oil on soil and growth of Arachis hypogaea. 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0% (wlw) of the oil constituted treatments. The results showed that spent oil in soil has highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects of some soil physico-chemical properties including nitrogen, pH, carbon and heavy metals properties. The oil also significantly reduced (P≥ 0.05) percentage germination and delayed germination as well as the growth indices of Arachis hypogaea. The effects being oil dose dependant. This study has demonstrated that spent motor oil has significant effects or reducing some soil physico-chemical parameters, percentage germination and growth performance of Arachis hypogaea. The study has important ecological implications especially in the Niger Delta area

Evaluation of Tectona grandis (Linn.) and Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) for Phytoremediation in Crude Oil Contaminated Soils

A study on the effectiveness of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea as forest species for the phyto- remediation of crude oil contaminated soils showed that both plants responded differently to the crude oil effects. Although the plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, plant girth and the dry biomass of the test plants were significantly P≥0.05 affected at higher levels of oil treatments 10% and 15%, the 1% and 5% levels of contamination did not significantly P≤0.05 differ from the seedlings planted in the uncontaminated soils. T. grandis and G. arborea as shown in this study could be good species for phyto- remediation of crude oil contaminated habitats due to oil exploration and exploitation especially at low concentrations

EFFECTS OF CRUDE OIL AS A SOIL CONTAMINANT ON SEEDLING GROWTH OF JATROPHA CURCAS L

ABSTRACT A study was conducted in 2010 to evaluate the effects of crude oil as a soil contaminant on the performance of Jatropha curcas seedlings in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. Oil concentrations used were 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0% w/w. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates and monitored for 10 weeks after transplanting. The results showed that contamination of soil with crude oil significantly reduced (P 0.05) the performance of Jatropha curcas seedlings as regards plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and collar diameter when compared with seedlings grown in the uncontaminated soils. The performance of the seedlings was oil concentration dependent. Other symptoms observed at the higher levels of oil treatments were yellowness of leaves, leaf fall/drop, chlorosis, growth retardation and stagnation as well as wilting. This study has shown that crude oil in soil has a highly significant effect of reducing the performance of J. curcas seedlings. The oil level most tolerated by the plant is 2.0% w/w and above this level, significant reductions were recorded. This study has great implications on the sustainability of this multipurpose species, which has been identified as a potential biofuel species