Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 15 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative Analysis of Amino Acid Profiles in Commercial Nile Fishes from Sudan

M. O. Mohammed* and D. I. Alim

Environment and Natural Resources Research Institute, the National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan.

Accepted 08 January, 2024

This study was intended to identify contents of amino acids (AAs) of four commercial Nile fishes in Sudan and to use them in fishmeal manufacture. The study fishes were Dabis (Labeo niloticus, Forskål, 1775), Himeila (Brycinus nurse, Rüppell, 1832), Garmout (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822) and Gargur (Synodontis schall, Bloch and Schneider, 1801). After producing dried meat of the study fishes, AAs were determined by SYKAM (57130 AMINOACID ANALYZER) device. Eighteen amino acids were identified and computed their percentages for each fish. AAs contents in Dabis were 0.02 to 19.36%, followed by those in Garmout (0.34 to 12.63%); those in Gargur (1.03 to 10.05%) and those in Himeila (0.01 to 9.99%). Eight essential amino acids (EAA) were identified among the total content of amino acids of all the study fishes. Dabis contained the highest percentage 71.7%, followed by Gargur 38.19%; Garmout 32.96%; whereas, Himeila revealed having the least content of EAA 28.21%. Methionine had nearly the same percentages among the study fishes as 0.34% in Garmout; 0.74% in Himeila; 1.03% in Gargur and 1.54% in Dabis; whereas, tryptophan was absent in all the study fish samples. Results of EAA showed that Dabis is the best Nile fishes for stock of EAA for fishmeal manufacture; whereas, the rest of study fishes are suitable to use for human food.

Key words: Freshwater fishes, Nile fishes, amino acid, essential amino acids, white Nile.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 15 (6), pp. 001-012, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Adsorptive Fluoride Removal from Water Using Zirconium-Doped Chitosan Composite

R. Dongre1*, D. N. Ghugal1, J. S. Meshram1 and D. S. Ramteke2

1P. G.T.D. of Chemistry, R. T. M. Nagpur University, Nagpur-440022, (M.S.) India.
2National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, (M.S.) India.

Accepted 6 February 2024

Water containing fluoride above 1.5 mg/L leads to health and environmental harms that creates skeletal and dental fluorosis. Adsorption technique prominently removes fluoride from water and its competence is reliant on development of recyclable, environmentally benign adsorbents. Many reported sorbents for defluoridation below stringent level 1.5 mg/L, displayed low to moderate adsorption capacity at varied concentrations and pH. Besides, viable defluoridation techniques are usually unsuccessful in developing countries. In this novel, cheap and efficient porous chelating resin, chitosan doped 20% zirconium (IV) with control morphologies were synthesized for delfuoridation. This bio-composite was at par with commercial alumina to mitigate water fluoride limit up to 1 to 1.5 mg/L. Effect of parameters namely pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial fluoride concentration were studied in batch scale. Kinetic data showed a rapid adsorption, indicated practicable operations in packed column. Findings encourage blending with other polymers as an effective option for defluoridation on a large scale.

Key words: Fluorosis, chitosan, zirconium, bio-composite, defluoridation, water.
 

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 15 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring macroinvertebrate communities: An assessment of biodiversity in Rivers Kipkaren and Sosiani within the River Nzoia Basin, Kenya

Christopher Mulanda Aura¹*, Phillip Okoth Raburu² and Jan Herrmann³

¹Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.
²Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Natural Resource Management, Moi University,
P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.

³Department of Natural Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.

Accepted 22 December, 2023

Abstract

Benthic macroinvertebrates from Rivers Kipkaren and Sosiani in the upper reaches of River Nzoia basin, Kenya, were sampled semi- quantitatively monthly from December 2006 to May 2007 using a 0.5 mm mesh size scoop net in the riffles, pools and runs. Seven sampling sites were selected on the areas of the rivers along a longitudinal gradient in relation to anthropogenic impact. Physico-chemical parameters were measured in situ, while specific chemical parameters were determined calometrically in the laboratory using standard methods. Habitat and land use characteristics were also recorded. A total of 1499 macroinvertebrates belonging to 13 orders, 28 families and 31 genera were collected. The orders Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera were taxonomically richest. Overall, a total of 31 genera for River Kipkaren dominated by the EPT and 19 macroinvertebrate genera for the lower River Sosiani dominated by dipterans were recorded. Conductivity, oxygen and total nitrogen varied significantly (p < 0.05) between sampled sites, but not temporally. The results of redundancy analysis using 9 dominant macroinvertebrate genera revealed a distinction between impacted and the less impacted sites and the physico-chemical parameters associated with this distinction.

Key words: Physico-chemical parameters, impacted sites, less impacted sites.
 

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 15 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biodiversity patterns and tree species interactions in a Miombo ecosystem of Southern Tanzania: Insights for conservation management

Pantaleo K. T. Munishi¹*, Ruwa- Aichi P. C. Temu¹ and Soka G.²

¹Department of Forest Biology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.
²Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Accepted 22 December, 2023

Abstract

This study assessed the plant communities and species associations in the eastern Miombo woodlands eco-region of the Lake Rukwa basin southern Tanzania. Information was collected from 288 temporary sample plots in 32 sampling sites established randomly in the area and covering as much variation in the landscape as possible. Detailed analysis of the vegetation identified six tree communities of conservation importance, which included Brachystegia boehmii-Pericopsis angolensis woodland, Julbernardia globiflora woodland, Combretum molle-Sclerocarya birrea-Combretum zeyherii-Acacia seyal var fistula woodland, Bridelia cathartica-Diospyros mespiliformis woodland, Brachystegia bussei-Pterocarpus tinctorius woodland and Brachystegia microphylla-Isoberlinia tomentosa-Hymenocardia acida- Syzygium owariense woodland. Majority of the described plant communities are typical of Miombo ecosystems dominated by trees belonging mainly to the genera Brachystegia and Julbernardia. A mixture of non-legume species but typical of the Miombo ecosystem, however, dominates two out of six described plant communities. Apparently, there is high variability of plant communities in the Miombo ecosystem of southern Tanzania, an indication of the diverse nature of the Miombo ecosystem, also, an implication of high species diversity. This documentation on the patterns of species assemblages is the beginning of unveiling the diversity of assemblage of species in dry forest ecosystems which occupy a wide area in the region. These associations are important targets for conservation and monitoring vegetation changes in this ecosystem.

Key words: Miombo ecosystem, plant communities, species associations.
 

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 15 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological exploration of Mbasa (Opsaridium microlepis) habitats in Lake Nyasa Near the Ruhuhu River

Francis M. M. Chale

Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environmental Studies, The Open University of Tanzania, P.O. Box 23409, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +255-(0)22-0754367519. Fax: +255-(0)22-2668759.

Accepted 13 December, 2023

Abstract

The ecology of Opsaridium microlepis was studied in Lake Nyasa around the Ruhuhu River. The species is endemic to the lake and is economically very important. The catches of O. microlepis have declined tremendously and it is now regarded as a threatened species. The main objective of the study was to determine the probable reasons for the decline in the species populations in the Ruhuhu River. The species was found to make spawning runs in the river during the dry season when the water turbidity was low. Juveniles of O. microlepis descended into the lake when they were about six months old with a standard length of about 5.1 cm and became pelagic at about one year old. Adult O. microlepis making the runs were found to have a mean fork length of 60 cm and mean fecundity of 54,500 eggs. The study showed that turbidity of the Ruhuhu River may be the main determinant which governs when the species spawns.

Key words: Opsaridium microlepis, Lake Nyasa, Ruhuhu River, spawning runs.
 

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 15 (2), pp. 001-004, January, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of heavy metal levels in soil and water contaminated with used engine oil in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

A. G. Warmate¹, T. J. K. Ideriah²*, I. T. Tamunobereton A. R. I.¹, U. E. Udonam Inyang¹ and T. Ibaraye¹

¹Department of Physics, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P. M. B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
²Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P. M. B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 30 December, 2023

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soils and water receiving used engine oil were investigated. Soil and water samples were collected at discharge and control points at each study site. The heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results show that about 80% of used engine oil was disposed of directly into the environment and 20% was recycled via use in civil works. The concentrations of metals in test soil and water samples exceeded permissible limits. The concentrations of heavy metals ranged from 20 µg/g (Ni) to 493 µg/g (Pb) in soil and 0.019 mg/l (Ni) to 0.147 mg/l (Pb) in water. It was suggested that curbside collection and re-refining of used engine oil should be encouraged and appropriate legislation should also be put in place to prevent widespread pollution of the environment by these metal ions.

Key words: Used engine oil, pollution, soil, water, heavy metals.