The Effect of Soot and Water Soluble on the Hygroscopicity of Urban Aerosols

In this paper, the author investigated some microphysical and optical properties of urban aerosols from OPAC by varying the concentrations of soot and water soluble to determine the effect of hygroscopic growth at the spectral range of 0.25?m to 2.5?m and eight relative humidities (RHs) (0, 50, 70, 80, 90, 95, 98, and 99%).The microphysical properties extracted were radii, volume mix ratio, number mix ratio, mass mix ratio and refractive indices while the optical properties are optical depth and asymmetric parameters all as a function of RHs. Using the microphysical properties, hygroscopic growth factors of the mixtures were determined while using optical depths we determined the Angstrom coefficients, enhancement parameters and the relationship between optical depth and RHs. The growth factors and the enhancement parameters were then parameterized using some models to determine their relationships with RHs. The data fitted the models very well. The angstrom coefficients show that the mixture have bimodal type of distribution with the dominance of fine mode particles and the mode sizes increase with the increase in RH and soot and water soluble concentrations. Keywords: microphysical properties, optical properties, hygroscopic growth, enhancement parameter, spectral range, Angstrom coefficients, bimodal

Effect of Relative Humidity on Arctic Aerosols

In this paper, the authors investigated some microphysical and optical properties of arctic aerosols extracted from the data base Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds(OPAC) to determine the effect of hygroscopic growth at the spectral range of 0.25?m to 2.5?m and eight relative humilities (RHs) (0, 50, 70, 80, 90, 95, 98, and 99%).The microphysical properties extracted were radii, volume mix ratio, number mix ratio and mass mix ratio as a function of RH while the optical properties are scattering and absorption coefficients and asymmetric parameters. Using the microphysical properties, effective growth factors of the mixtures were determined while using optical properties enhancement parameters were determined and then parameterized using some models. We observed that the data fitted the models very well. The angstrom coefficients which determined the type of particles size distribution increases with the increase in RHs except at the delinquent point where it decreases with the increase in RHs. The mixture was determined to have bimodal type of distribution with the dominance of fine mode particles but non-spherical. Keywords: microphysical properties, optical properties, hygroscopic growth, enhancement parameters, models, parametrisation

The Effect of Hygroscopic Growth on Urban Aerosols

In this paper some microphysical and optical properties of urban aerosols were extracted from OPAC to determine the effect of hygroscopic growth at the spectral range of 0.25?m to 2.5?m and eight relative humidities (RHs) (0, 50, 70, 80, 90, 95, 98, and 99%). The microphysical properties extracted were radii, volume mix ratio, number mix ratio and mass mix ratio as a function of RH while the optical properties are scattering and absorption coefficients and asymmetric parameters. Using the microphysical properties, growth factors of the mixtures were determined while using optical properties we determined the enhancement parameters and were then parameterized using some models. We observed that the data fitted the models very well. The angstrom coefficients which determined the particles’ sizes distribution  increases with the increase in RHs except at the delinquent point where it decreases with the increase in RHs. The mixture was determined to have bimodal type of distribution with the dominance of fine mode particles. Keywords: microphysical properties, optical properties, hygroscopic growth, parametrazition, enhancement parameters

Determination of Saturated Hydrocarbon from Nigerian Crude Oil from Selected Oil Wells: A Comparative Study

The saturated hydrocarbons were isolated from the crude oil samples by the use of SARA separation and column chromatography methods. The fractions obtained were identified using GC-MS. The result shows that the saturated hydrocarbons presence in the samples indicate that all the samples spectra indicated the presence of Trans-decalin-2-methyl, Dodecane, Tridecane, Tetradecane, Pentadecane, Hexadecane, Octadecane, Nonadecane and Eicosane, all at a minimum quality of correlation of 70%.  The result of the GC-MS indicated that sample D has the highest number of saturated hydrocarbons presence in a minimum quality of % correlation of 70% and sample E has the lowest amount of saturated hydrocarbons. Keywords: Crude oil drilling, GC-MS, Sara analysis, Saturated hydrocarbons, Trans-decalin-2-methy

Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Soil Samples Obtained From Rimi Local Government in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract: The concentration of lead, chromium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and sodium in soil samples obtained from Rimi local government in Katsina state was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Technique. The Highest Mean concentration of   the metals for each sample were as follows:  Lead (8.3 ± 0.000 mg/g), Chromium (3.125±4.4.42 mg/g), Iron (14.2±0.000 mg/g), Zinc (4.2 ± 0.000 mg/g), Potassium (218.7 ± 44.19 mg/g), Magnesium (68.75 ± 8.84 mg/g)  and Sodium (1446.45 ± 25.24 mg/g), The results were discussed in terms of effects of the concentration of these metals on the agricultural soil understudy and the concentration obtained was below the ECDG (2004), WHO (2008), Kabata-Pendias (1995), SEPA (2000) and  DPR (1991) Permissible limits of heavy metals in Agricultural land. Although it was concluded that the soil is suitable for agricultural purposes, Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is necessary to reduce the associated risks, make the land resource available for agricultural production, enhance food security and scale down land tenure problems arising from changes in the land use pattern. Keyword: Agricultural Soil Pollution, Trace and Heavy Metals, Environmental Pollution

Proximate, minerals and antinutrient assessment of the leaves and tenderstem of Leptadenia hastate (pers.) decne

The study evaluated the proximate, minerals and antinutrient contents of the plant Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) decne (Asclepiadaceae). Nutrient and antinutritional factors were determined using standard analytical methods and parameters subjected to statistical analysis. Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca) and Cobalt (Co) were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem while Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg) were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the tender stems when compared to the leaves. The percentages of Moisture content, Crude proteins and Total ash were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem while crude fiber and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the stem when compared to the leaves. Oxalate and phytic acid were anti nutrient found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem. However, Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Potassium (K) and Crude fat were not significantly (p>0.05) different when compared in the leaves and tender stem. Correlation analysis indicated that antinutrient contents in the tender stems will not affect the mineral absorption in the leaves while negative correlation between Fe and Cu in the stems could affect the absorption of iron. Therefore, Leptadenia hastata leave and tender stem consumed in soup and local salad in northern Nigeria proved to be rich in minerals and nutrients to support its dietary role as a consumed vegetable.Keywords: Leptadenia hastata, Minerals, Proximate, Antinutrients, Tender stems, Leave

Phytochemical analysis, analgesic and antipyretic properties of ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina Del.

Introduction: Vernonia amygdalina Del. has been traditionally used in relieving pain and inflammatory conditions as well as in treatment of feverish conditions by local people of the North-east Nigeria. Consequently this study aims at evaluating the phytochemical content, antipyretic and analgesic properties of V. amygdalina (biter leaf).Methods: The leaf of V. amygdalina was soxhlet extracted with ethanol and sequentially partitioned using solvent of different polarities. Phytochemical test was conducted to ascertain the secondary metabolites present in the extract using standard procedures. Acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract on laboratory rats was estimated by following protocols of Lorke. The antinociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract was also evaluated using acetic acid induced pain and hot plate method.Results: The results revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, carbohydrates, cardioactive glycoside, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and terpenes. Anthraquinones were absent in the extract. The intraperitoneal LD50 was found to be 3721 mg/kg. On administration of 5000 mg/kg dose of the extract via oral route, there was no dead. The extract demonstrated significant antinociceptive activities as 36.0 ± 0.81, 43.8 ± 0.11 and 52.8±0.37 (Mean number of writhings) respectively for the doses 600, 400 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) as compared to the control (60.0 ± 0.11). High dose of 400 mg/kg significantly reduced rectal temperature (P < 0.05)Conclusion: These results demonstrated the medicinal potentiality of V. amygdalina and might be used as analgesic, and antipyretic agent. Phytochemicals found in such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and steroids seem to be implicated in having such pharmacological activities

The Effect of Varying Soot Concentration and Relative Humidity on Visibility and Particle Size Distribution in Urban Atmosphere

This research used extracted extinction coefficients and common mode radii of urban aerosols to carry out visibility simulations at corresponding spectral wavelengths from 0.4-0.8µm from the improved version of the Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC 4.0) data at eight relative humidities(RH) (0%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% and 99% RH). Five models of the urban aerosols used comprised of insoluble (INSO), Water-soluble (WASO) and Soot (Black Carbon). From the average concentration set up by OPAC 4.0, the concentrations of the Soot (Black Carbon) were varied by external mixing. The Angstrom exponent (α), the curvature (α2) and the urban atmospheric turbidity (β) were obtained from the regression analysis of the first and second order polynomial of Kaufman’s representation of the Koschmieder equation for atmospheric visibility. The mean exponents of the aerosol size growth curve (µ) were determined from the aerosol effective hygroscopic growth (geff) while the humidification factors (γ) were determined from the visibility enhancement factors f(RH,λ). With µ and γ, the mean exponents of aerosol size distributions (υ) were determined for all the models. It was observed that at varying Soot (Black Carbon) concentrations and RH there were non-linear relationships between them and visibilities. The values of α > 1 showed the presence of fine mode particles from the WASO part of the aerosol mixture and α2 being positive indicated bimodal aerosol particle distributions. Additionally, visibility deterioration is predicted because of the increase in turbidity (β) with the variation of Soot and RH

Combined effect of neem leaf powder and vermicompost in the management of root-knot nematode disease in Celosia argentea

Due to the rising demand for alternative options for root-knot nematode management, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder and Vermicompost were tested for their efficacy in controlling this disease in Celosia argentea. An experiment, laid out in Completely Randomized Design, was carried out in the screenhouse. It involved the testing of eight treatments which were replicated four times thus making a total of 32 experimental pots. The trial was repeated once to validate results obtained. Plants were inoculated with 5000 Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) eggs. The experimental pots without Mi egg served as the control. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, branches and flowers, leaf area index, shoot weight, root weight, dry weight, number of galls, final nematode and egg population and subjected to Analysis of Variance. The New Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate statistically significant treatment means. Results showed that the amendments used, reduced the infestation of the treated plantswhose final Mi nematode population (2360, 2020, 2050, 1720, 1540, 1230) and egg population (2250, 2030, 2120, 1690, 1540, 1230) which were lower (P d” 0.05) than their initial population (5000 eggs) and when compared to the untreated Mi-inoculated (control) plants which had the highest final population (5858 and 5620) that outnumbered the original inoculum. Neem leaf powder and Vermicompost combined at 1% was statistically at par with other treatments in the reduction of the root-knot disease of C. argente

Association of Chlamydia serology with HIV in Nigerian women

This research was carried out to detect the presence of Chlamydia in pregnant women and gynaecologic patients in the North-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Blood samples were collected and analysed by ELISA techniques. The blood samples were also screened for HIV infection. A sero-prevalence of 59.0% was recorded for the study area. The sero-prevalence was higher among the gynaecologic patients (62.0%) than the pregnant women (57.5%). The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Of the four centers chosen for the study, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) had the highest prevalence (84.7%), while Niger State had the least (28.7%). The difference was also statistically significant (P<0.0001). The prevalence rate of HIV among the participants in the study center was found to be 17.2%. Abuja had the highest prevalence rate of 24.6%, followed by Benue, 16.7%, then Kogi, 12.0% and finally, Niger, 4.7%. Chlamydia was found to be associated with HIV (p<0.0001). The sero-prevalence of chlamydia in the North-Central zone of Nigeria was found to be high. Chlamydia was found to be correlated with HIV in the study area and may have contributed to the zone emerging with the highest HIV prevalence in the country. For an infection that is largely asymptomatic but has devastating effects on populations, only a preventive approach would have beneficial effects in controlling the disease and its effects on women’s health in the country.Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis, HIV, pregnant women, gynaecologic patients, co-infectio