Preparation and Use of Activated Carbon from Periwinkle Shell for Water Treatment in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria (Published)
Activated carbon is normally produced from various carbonaceous materials of both plant and animal origin. This work was focused on the preparation of activated carbon from periwinkle shells gotten from kenyetta market in Enugu, and its use as an adsorbent for water treatment in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. The activated carbon, (AC) is prepared by acid activation method at temperature of 6000C. The effects of carbonization and acid impregnation time on the adsorption potential of the activated carbons on adsorption of nickel and lead from inyaba river water in Amagunze, in Nkanu East L.G.A, was examined. The results show that the concentrations of nickel and lead before purification are 1.86mg/l and 0.08 mg/l respectively. After purification, lead was not detected in any of the samples while the concentrations of nickel reduced from 1.86 mg/l to 0.30 mg/l. Thus, this study showed that activated carbon produced from periwinkle shell is suitable for the adsorption of Ni+2 and Pb+2 ions and as such could be used as a costeffective and locally accessed adsorbent in the treatment of contaminated river water.
Keywords: Activated carbon, Heavy Metals, Periwinkle Shell, preparation, water treatment
Assessment of Health Risks Due to the Presence of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources the in Chingola District of the Copperbelt Province of Zambia (Published)
Water contamination is one of the issues preventing access to clean water. Waterbody poisoning with heavy metals is particularly concerning. This study aimed to ascertain the concentrations of heavy metals in the drinking water sources in the Chingola District of Zambia and assess the health risks based on carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic indices. The study was cross-sectional in design. In the dry season, water samples were obtained, and in the wet season, an equal number of water samples were collected. All the water samples from all sources were analysed for heavy metals with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP -MS) Mass spectrometer was used to analyse heavy metals. Nickel contents in numerous water sources exceeded the maximum allowable values of 0.0012 to 0.2144 mg/L. Each water sample had levels of chromium and cadmium below the detection threshold, except for three sampling sites. Drinking water from the tap, open well, shallow well, and borehole had differing median amounts of arsenic, copper, zinc, and nickel, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Arsenic, copper, zinc, and nickel median concentrations varied between the dry and wet seasons, and this variation was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health indices (HI) were below the threshold values, though some individual sources may have shown levels beyond the upper limit of concentration.
Keywords: Heavy Metals, Pollution, carcinogenic health risk, drinking water, water sources
Concentration and Comparison of Groundwater Quality in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria (Published)
The paper examined the concentrations of heavy metals and microbial parameters in groundwater and were compared to World Health Organisation (WHO)guidelines and National Standard for Drinking Water Quality standard. A total of 800 boreholes and wells water samples were purposefully and systematically collected in the metropolis and subjected to laboratory analysis where mean concentration values of Cadmium, Chromium, Zinc, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Copper, Manganese, Total Coliform count and Escherichia coli were determined in line with APHA 1998 standard procedures. The T- test statistical analysis, p<0.05 results showed that there were high and low significant variations between the concentrations values of heavy metals with WHO and NSDWQ permissible limits especially during wet season while microbial parameters only showed high significant variations except Zinc, Mercury, and Arsenic recorded no significant differences. The study therefore drew inference that wastewater and geomorphic processes contribute significantly to groundwater contaminations in the metropolis and recommends public education and enlightenment, strong legislation, provision of standard water treatment plants, adoption sustainable environmental concepts, attitudinal change, good drainage system should strictly be adhered to in order to harness good drinkable water potentials.
Citation: Mshelia S.S. and Bulama L. (2023) Concentration and Comparison of Groundwater Quality in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria, British Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol.11, No.2, pp.,23-35
Keywords: Groundwater, Heavy Metals, infiltration and concentration, wastewater
Concentration and Comparison of Groundwater Quality in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria (Published)
The paper examined the concentrations of heavy metals and microbial parameters in groundwater and were compared to World Health Organisation (WHO)guidelines and National Standard for Drinking Water Quality standard. A total of 800 boreholes and wells water samples were purposefully and systematically collected in the metropolis and subjected to laboratory analysis where mean concentration values of Cadmium, Chromium, Zinc, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Copper, Manganese, Total Coliform count and Escherichia coli were determined in line with APHA 1998 standard procedures. The T- test statistical analysis, p<0.05 results showed that there were high and low significant variations between the concentrations values of heavy metals with WHO and NSDWQ permissible limits especially during wet season while microbial parameters only showed high significant variations except Zinc, Mercury, and Arsenic recorded no significant differences. The study therefore drew inference that wastewater and geomorphic processes contribute significantly to groundwater contaminations in the metropolis and recommends public education and enlightenment, strong legislation, provision of standard water treatment plants, adoption sustainable environmental concepts, attitudinal change, good drainage system should strictly be adhered to in order to harness good drinkable water potentials.
Keywords: Groundwater, Heavy Metals, infiltration and concentration, wastewater
Study on Heavy Metal Contamination from the Soot of Flared Gas on Selected Vegetation of Jeddo Community, Delta State, Nigeria (Published)
Soot is a black solid dispersed in air, which comes from the combustion of hydrocarbon molecules. From this study, some samples of Telfairia Occidentalis, local leaves (ugu) were collected from both Jeddo community (close to Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company WRPC and other artisanal refineries) and Osubi Community (where there are no gas-flaring activities); all located in Okpe local government of Delta State, Nigeria. The vegetables were taken to the laboratory for analysis: to ascertain the level of heavy metal contamination from the soot that came from the gas-flaring and artisanal refineries in the area. From the result obtained, it was discovered that Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in the vegetation had higher values above the WHO (1996) permissible limit, while Cu and Ni present in the vegetable, had values below the WHO permissible limit. This implies that soot from artisanal refineries had negative impact on the leafy vegetables (T. Occidentalis) in Jeddo community. These results then make the vegetation samples from Jeddo community unsafe for human consumption. The policies regulating the refineries should be enforced to achieve a safer atmosphere in the environment.
Citation: Obi-udu I, Uwadiegwu B.O., Okoye O.N.N., Onwuka S.U. (2022) Study on Heavy Metal Contamination from the Soot of Flared Gas on Selected Vegetation of Jeddo Community, Delta State, Nigeria, British Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol.10, No.6, pp.,66-72
Keywords: Contamination, Gas-flaring, Heavy Metals, Nigeria, Vegetation, soot
Heavy Metal Concentration in Selected River Tributaries in an Urban Settlement in Akure, Nigeria (Published)
Heavy metals can impact human health and continuous exposure to heavy metals in water can lead to a variety of health issues. Water from surface water bodies such as streams and rivers help to alleviate the problem of water scarcity especially in developing countries. In this study, the heavy metal content of stream water samples was analyzed. Four (4) heavy metals namely Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Manganese (Mn) were analyzed in the laboratory and the results obtained were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standard for potable water. The results revealed that none of the water samples analyzed met WHO standard for Cr in potable water while only 40% of the water samples analyzed conformed to WHO standard for Cd in potable water. Findings of this study revealed that Cr and Cd are heavy metals of concern in the study area. Periodic evaluation of the heavy metal content of surface water in the study area is necessary in order to monitor deterioration in the quality of the water and also to recommend adequate treatment for the water before human consumption.
Citation: Ochuko Mary Ojo (2022) Heavy Metal Concentration in Selected River Tributaries in an Urban Settlement in Akure, Nigeria, British Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 25-31
Keywords: Heavy Metals, Human Health, Treatment., rivers
Variation of the Physico-Chemical Parameters, Nutrients and Some Selected Heavy Metals Around the Waters of the Tincan Island in Lagos, Nigeria (Published)
This study assessed the physico-chemical characteristics, concentration of heavy metals and nutrients composition of the surface water of Badagry and Tincan Island creeks adjoining the Lagos Lagoon. Sanplind was done once in a month between May and September 2019. The pH, Temperature, Salinity, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Sulphate, Phosphate, Silicate, Nitrate, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Manganese, Chromium and Nickel were determined usuing statndard methods. there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the different parameters recocorded in the stations and the months. The DO (0.36 mg/L- 5.47mg/L) was lower than the WHO recommended 5mg/L for water quality assessment with a significant difference (p<0.05) recorded across the stations and months. The BOD values varied significantly across all the stations and the months with up to 211mg/L in station 1 in September thus depicting a severe deterioration of the creek. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the water samples were within the safe limit but posits potential human and fisheries health implications from continuous usage.
Keywords: Heavy Metals, Nutrients, Pollution, creeks, physicochemical parameters
Assessment of the Excretion Levels of Heavy Metals Through the Litters of Chickens Fed Varying Prepared Concentrations of Selected Heavy Metals in Their Feeds (Published)
Studies were carried out to assess the excretion levels of selected heavy metals (Pb, As, and Cd) through the litters when varied prepared concentrations (10ppm, 20ppm, 30ppm) of the metals were administered to the poultry chickens ( Broilers and Layers) for eight weeks period. The poultry litter samples were digested accordingly and spectrometric analysis was followed. The analysis indicated that heavy metals once ingested into the system are not easily excreted. This bio-accumulative capability of the heavy metals in the specific organs in the body system underpines their reactivity and toxicity. The mean excretion level of the selected heavy metals in the litters was in the following decreasing order: As> Pb> Cd. Finally, the study observed that increased exposure of poultry chickens to heavy metals in the environment also increases the risk of its bioaccumulation and biomagnifications in the system.
Keywords: Bioaccumulation and Poultry Chickens. ________________________________________, Heavy Metals, Poultry litters
Heavy Metal Contamination of Top Soil at Auto-Repair workshops in Cape Coast, Ghana (Published)
Trace metal contamination at 4 selected auto workshops at cape coast Ghana has been ascertained in this study. A total of 18 soil samples from auto-repair workshops and 44 soil samples from control sites were sampled and analyzed using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Heavy metals like Fe ,Cu, Zn ,Cr, Pb and Mn were analyzed .Mn concentrations were between 364.6713g/g and 1934.063g/g. Cu concentrations were between 42.33g/g and 299.36g/g, Zn concentrations fell between 67.08g/g and 544.26g/g, Cr concentration were between 93.54g/g and 1266.23, Ni concentrations were between75.89g/g and 217.52, Pb concentrations were also between 73.89g/g and 713.65g/g, Fe concentrations were between 21485g/g and 47317.50g/g, which is below its natural occurrence. The enrichment factor (EF) was also used to identify possible levels of contamination from anthropogenic sources. Mechanical shop, Spraying shop, Wielding shop and Electrical shop were contaminated with Fe, Ni, Cu and Mn.
Keywords: Concentration, Contamination, Energy Dispersive X-ray Florescence, Enrichment Factor, Heavy Metals
Proximate and Elemental Analysis of Some Nigerian Coal Deposits (Published)
Studies were carried out on the proximate and elemental contents of coal deposits in three Nigerian States (Enugu, Benue and Delta) employing standard laboratory procedures and instrumentation. The fixed carbon and ash contents of Benue and Enugu coal samples deposits were found higher than Delta coal deposits. Heavy metals like arsenic, lead and cadmium were present at higher concentrations in Delta coal sample deposits than in the other coal sample deposits studied. Trace mineral contents of Enugu coal deposits were found to be higher than others implying that it is of higher economic value.
Keywords: Coal Deposits., Heavy Metals, Trace Metals