Risk Assessment of Drinkable Water from Hand-dug Reservoirs Using Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity Levels in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State (Published)
Over the past decade, radioactivity in drinking water has become a matter of urgent concern following reports from various scientific researches. The rapid urbanization and increase in population of Ogwashi-Uku has culminated in the increase for demand of safe and potable water hence the need for this study. A total of 10 samples were collected from the study location. Standard methods for determination of gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations in the water samples were deployed. The measured gross alpha activity concentrations for all water samples are below 0.1 Bq/L while the measured gross beta activity concentrations in all water samples collected are lower than 1.0 Bq/L permissible limit. The mean annual dose equivalent in all the water samples for gross alpha and gross beta activity is lower than 0.1 mSv recommended dose for radionuclides in water, hence the life cancer risk assessment showed lower values, indicating the water is safe for drinking. The purpose of this study is to assess the concentration of gross alpha and beta activity levels of drinking water from hand-dug reservoirs in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State in order to offer a scientific basis for making decisions regarding mitigating radioactive pollution and also to ensure the safety of drinking water and public health.
Keywords: Pollution, Radioactivity, Water, gross alpha, gross beta
Quality of Water from Hand-Dug Wells in Nembe Town, Bayelsa State, Nigeria (Published)
This study examined the quality of water supply from hand-dug wells in Nembe town, Bayelsa State using sample survey design. Data was obtained from primary sources. To assess if the quality of groundwater supplied in Nembe town is safe for domestic and drinking purposes, the physico-chemical and microbial status of the groundwater were studied. Nembe town was stratified into ten neighbourhoods and a total of ten (10) hand dug well water samples was randomly collected from each of the sampled ten neighbourhoods and analyzed for twenty-one (21) paramaters in the month of November 2019. These samples were sent to the laboratory for physico-chemical and microbial analysis. The results of the study revealed that physico-chemical paramaters such as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids(TSS), Sulphate (So4-2), Bicarbonate (HCo3-), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Manganese (Mn), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Iron (Fe), Chloride (CL), Nitrate (NO), Salinity, Total Alkalinity (TA) and Magnesium (Mg) are all within the permissible level of WHO and NESREA drinking water standards. Groundwater in the area have turbidity and potassium levels higher than the WHO and NESREA maximum permissible limits for drinking water standard. All the sampled hand dug wells have pH value within the permissible limit of drinking water except one which had pH value of 6.48 and considered too acidic for human consumption. Based on hardness, 70% of the groundwater samples are slightly hard water to hard water in nature. The result of the microbial analysis showed the presence of total coliforms, Total bacteria counts and fungi in all the hand dug wells. The ANOVA statistical tool was employed in testing the stated hypothesis and the results show that there is no significant spatial variation in the physico-chemical properties of water in the study area and that there is a significant spatial variation in the microbial properties of water in the study area. The result of the study was conclusive evidence that all the hand dug wells studied are not safe for domestic purpose especially for drinking as they were affected by some physico-chemical and biological parameters. Hence the affected wells call for periodic monitoring and treatment to improve the quality of the water.
Keywords: Pollution, Quality, Water, hand dug-wells
The Impact of Rock Crushing On the Quality of Air and Soil Within and Outside the Crushing Site (Published)
This study investigates the effect of rock crushing on Ishiagu environment in Enugu State, Nigeria. The quality of air dust and soil samples within and outside the crushing area was analyzed by taking samples of rock dust), soil and underground water. The amount of iron, zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, chromium and nickel were determined in the rock dust and soil samples collected within and outside the crushing sites. The results indicated that the concentration of metals in all samples were significant ranging from 1425-48180mg/kg in air dust sample, 120-44000mg/kg in soil samples while the metals in the underground water was seen to be decreasing as the distance from the crushing site increased .The underground water samples were observed to have high total dissolved solids (754,587 and 604) ppm respectively, total chloride and total hardness. All underground water samples were in excess of 150 mg/l total chloride with pH values between the ranges of 4.5 to 5.5 which is acidic.
Keywords: Concentration, Metals, Soil, Water, rock, rock dust
Rain Water Harvesting for Planting and Growing Trees to Green the Polytechnic Campus: A Case Study of Bolgatanga Polytechnic (Published)
The Upper East Region of Ghana is located in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zone with a sparse tree population. The Region suffers high unpredictable rainfall patterns imposing drought conditions with consequences on crop yield variability and poor vegetation cover. As a result, at inception of the Polytechnic, there were very limited shade trees in the Polytechnic campus where students could sit to relax or learn. Harvesting rainwater in wet periods, and utilizing the same for planting and growing trees offers a promising solution in this fragile part of Ghana. As part of the larger effort to make the Polytechnic environment suitable for teaching and learning, rain water was harvested for planting and growing trees in the Polytechnic campus. This paper presents a qualitative report of project activities and results. Tree planting project hinges on proper management of the established trees and shrubs. Planting trees is just one step, but its management was very crucial to the success and fruition of the project. Also critical was stakeholder consultations on project goals and aims which enabled a sense of ownership for the project. Overall, after ten years of the project, there has been a significant improvement in the tree and shrub cover in the Polytechnic campus. It is concluded that adding trees to schools is a great way to make campuses more welcoming, provide shade for recreational purposes, and as well foster environmental stewardship. The Government should as part of project procurement procedures for schools legislate that all new buildings should incorporate tree planting from inception. The care of the trees can then be the responsibility of school management after the buildings have been completed and handed over
Keywords: Growing, Harvesting, Rain, Tree Planting, Water