Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficiency of the Nakivubo wetland as a filter for heavy metal pollutants of Kampala urban effluent into Lake Victoria, Uganda

Jolocam Mbabazi¹*, J. Kwetegyeka², M. Ntale¹ and J. Wasswa¹

¹Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

²Department of Chemistry, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda.

Accepted 21 October, 2020

Abstract

The population of the Ugandan capital city of Kampala has dramatically increased since the political turmoil of the 1970s and with it a considerable rise in industrialisation. Few manufacturing plants, however, have pretreatment installations in place for their polluted effluent prior to discharge into the surrounding ecosystems. Kampala’s main drainage system is the Nakivubo channel which empties directly into the neighbouring Lake Victoria, the second largest inland freshwater lake in the world. Increased urban effluent load coupled with reclamation for crop farming have considerably reduced the effectiveness of the wetland to filter out major pollutants, in particular heavy metals. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, this study showed that the efficiency in sieving out zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) has shrunk from 89.7 – 98.3% in December 2006 to 79.4 – 92.1% in December 2008, over a period of three consecutive years. This is indicative of the growing ineffectiveness of the wetland to absorb heavy metals. Levels of the same metals in the lake water some two kilometres away from the mouth of the wetland have correspondingly increased from 23 - 31% to 35 47% in the same period. This poses a serious threat to the quality of the fish and to the over two million urban population that directly depend on the lake water for domestic and industrial use. The remedy lies in the relevant authorities to enforce pretreatment at each factory site, increased factory management sensitisation on environmental concerns and more stringent measures against wetland encroachment.

Key words: Kampala urban effluent, Nakivubo wetland, heavy metal filtration, Lake Victoria.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of Cordeauxia edulis as an endangered leguminous shrub to ensure its successful cultivation

Mekonnen B.¹*, Yahya A.² and Alström S.³

¹Department of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

²Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7043, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

³Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7026, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

Accepted 16 October, 2020

Abstract 

Cordeauxia edulis is an endangered leguminous shrub native to semi-arid border between Ethiopia and Somalia. To enable its successful cultivation in new environment, we investigated the effect of its microbial residents on establishment and growth. Plant growth-affecting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were the focus of this study. Bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soil and pre-germinated seeds of C. edulis and tested for in vitro inhibition of Aspergillus niger, A. biciliate and A. versicolor. The three aspergilli were found as frequent colonizers of seeds with deteriorating effect on emergence. Six bacteria were further evaluated in greenhouse experiments for their effect on plant growth. The isolates with beneficial effects seemed to belong to Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp. and Pantoea sp. Occurrence and abundance of AMF was determined as spore density and % root colonization in the field samples. Effect of AMF on plant growth was also studied in greenhouse, on seedlings inoculated with its native population and the results compared with those inoculated with a commercial mix, Vaminoc or in vitro cultured Glomus intraradices. Our results show that, C. edulis harbours both AMF and bacteria with plant growth affecting potential and that it responds positively to microbial inoculations in foreign environments.

Key words: Antagonism, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Aspergillus spp, Cordeauxia edulis, beneficial bacteria.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch. and Mey: An endangered endemic species found around Golbasi district of Ankara province, Turkey

Y. Okay* and K. Demir

¹Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara-Turkey.

Accepted 19 November, 2020

Abstract 

Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch. and Mey., is a critically endangered endemic species, which grows on limited area around Golbasi district of Ankara province. It has attractive pink, red, purple flowers, the colours of which change with maturation. It has a high potential as out door ornamental plant and as cut flower. Its natural habitat is continuously on decrease because of uncontrolled plucking, intense construction activities and urbanization. The most important reason why the generation of the species is endangered is strong anthropogenic pressure. Therefore, the protection of this plant is of great importance. Study of propagation possibilities for the protection of this species, is of primary importance. This paper reviews C. tchihatcheffii, propagation studies.

Key words: Critically endangered endemic (CR), propagation, Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch. and Mey.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-012, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of bird species diversity and richness in Dagona-Waterfowl sanctuary Borno State, Nigeria

Lameed, G. A.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

Accepted 21 October, 2020

Abstract

The study of bird species diversity and richness in Dagona-Waterfowl sanctuary was carried out in early wet and late dry seasons. This was to provide some information on the wild birds of the sanctuary. Dagona sanctuary is located within the Bade-Nguru wetland sector; it is one of the important bird areas strategized for the conservation of avifauna species in Sub-Sahara region, Nigeria. Line transect method was used to carry out birds’ survey at three different lake sites, namely: Gatsu (Site:1), Mariam (Site: 2) and Oxbow (Site: 3). The data were analyzed with the Kolmogorov- Smirnov test to determine the distribution level of the birds. The birds’ diversity was assessed using Shannon-Weiner diversity index. The results showed that bird species diversity was not equally distributed in the sites Site 2 had the highest diversity with an index of 2.74 compared to Site 1 with 1.84 and Site 3 with 1.62. Likewise, bird species diversity in the area was normally distributed birds’ abundance were significantly different (P<0.05) among the three sites. Site 1 had the highest number of bird (16.36) compared to Site 2 (14.32) and site 3 (11.51). It was observed that there was a significant relationship between vegetation density and bird species diversity; because as tree density increases, diversity of bird species decreases. Therefore, there is a significant relationship between vegetation density and bird species diversity. Total number of 135 bird species in 40 families was recorded during the survey. Seventy-four percent were found in site1, sixty-three percent in Site 2 and seventy-one percent in site 3. The birds that were observed during this study were made up of resident (Ardeidae family), migratory (Accipitridae family) and palearctic species (yellow wagtail, warblers, northern shoveler and sandpipers). It can be concluded that wild birds are good indicators of the ecosystem, revealing the state of the wetland. Some sites were more disturbed, as observed in site: 1 and site: 3. It was however recommended that regular monitoring of the sites should be carried out so as to control changes in the state of wetland ecosystem.

Key words: Wetland, birds, diversity, richness, vegetation.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251 Vol. 11 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251 Vol. 11 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of biochemical indices of male rat reproductive function and testicular histology in wistar rats following chronic administration of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Heirn) stem

Yakubu, M. T.*, Oladiji, A. T. and Akanji, M. A.

Medicinal Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 December, 2019

Abstract

The effects of administration of aqueous extracts of Fadogia agrestis stem for 28 days and the 10 days post treatment effects on biochemical indices of reproductive function and testicular histology were evaluated in male albino rats. The rats were randomly selected into four study groups, A, B, C and D of 10 rats per group. Animals in group A (control) received 1 ml of distilled water (vehicle), and test groups B, C and D received graded doses of 18, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight of extract respectively on daily basis for 28 days. At the end of 28 days treatment period, 5 animals were sacrificed while the remaining 5 from the same group were sacrificed after a ten day recovery period. There were significant (P<0.05) increases in the prostrate – body weight ratio (%), citric acid concentration and acid phosphatase activity at all the dose regimen and only at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight dose regimen for calcium and phosphate, while pH was not altered. There was no recovery on prostatic parameters except the citric acid content at 18 mg/kg body weight. Sperm count, motility, morphology and density were significantly reduced at 50 and 100 mg/kg dose regimen. The pH, colour, turbidity and viscosity of semen were unaffected but the seminal vesicular-body weight ratio (%), fructose content and glutamate dehydrogenase activity were significantly (P<0.05) reduced at higher doses. Histopathological changes revealed destruction of spermatic cells and seminiferous tubules. Toxicity was mild and reversible at 18 mg/kg body weight dose regimen but there was irreversible derangement on male testicular histology at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight dose regimen, which may adversely affect reproductive function especially male fertility.

Key words: Fadogia agrestis stem, prostate, seminal vesicle, sperm, oral administration, recovery, reproductive function indices, testicular histology.