Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of low cost solar dryer for fish

S. H. Sengar*, Y. P. Khandetod and A. G. Mohod

Department of Electrical and Other Energy Sources, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, DBSKKV, Dapoli, Dist: Ratnagiri-415712. Maharashtra, India.

Accepted 14 October, 2018

Abstract

Prawns (Kolambi) were selected as drying material in low cost solar dryer (LCSD). Time required for reducing the moisture content from 75 to 16% were observed in open sun drying and solar drying for its comparison. Salted fish inside the dryer required 8 h in order to dry prawns up to 16.15% while unsalted fish required 15 h to reach moisture content up to 15.15% in open condition. Overall collection efficiency was found as 70.97%. Average drying efficiency for salted fish was 14% and unsalted fish was 11% whereas pickup efficiency for salted and unsalted fish was found as 10 and 9% respectively. Salted prawns were found most liked for its colour and texture than unsalted solar dried sample in sensory evaluation. Unsalted prawns sample dried in solar dryer was overall accepted, while traditionally open sun dried sample was least liked for its colour and texture. The value of F is calculated as 1.98 during the sensory evaluation. The economic cost of solar dryer was compared with mechanical drying for beneficial to local fishermen. The cost of LCSD in Rs. 1700/- is affordable to poor fisherman comparing to other costly mechanical dryer. Local fisherman could recover solar dryer cost within the period of 0.19 years by adopting solar drying technology.

Key words: Collection efficiency, system drying efficiency, pick-up efficiency, economics.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Trace elements contamination of soils around gold mine tailings dams at Obuasi, Ghana

P. Antwi-Agyei¹*, J. N. Hogarh¹ and G. Foli²

¹Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

²Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box 24, Navrongo Campus; Navrongo, Ghana.

Accepted 18 January, 2018

Abstract

This study investigated the issue of tailings dams as a potential source of trace elements contamination in soils at the Obuasi gold mine in Ghana. Soil samples taken from depths of up to 12 cm and within a radius of 400 m from the tailings dams (active and decommissioned), were analysed for As, Cu, Pb and Zn using atomic absorption spectrometry. Average concentrations of As, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils around the active tailings dams were respectively 581±130, 39.64 ± 3.02, 24.22 ± 2.62 and 72.64 ± 8.01 mg/kg. Soils in the vicinity of the decommissioned tailings dam registered increased values - 1711 ± 172, 71.44 ± 5.27, 38.67 ± 3.59 and 168.1 ± 36.2 mg/kg for As, Cu, Pb and Zn respectively. Both types of tailings dams impacted adjoining soils with greater concentrations of the trace elements when compared to undisturbed control soils. Arsenic was above the Netherlands intervention value of 55 mg/kg dry weight, even in control soils. The following trend of accumulation was observed in the soils: As>Zn>Cu>Pb. Improved tailings management strategies, among other factors, might have influenced the reduced level of trace elements contamination at the active tailings dams’ site.

Key words: Gold mining, tailings dam, trace elements, soil, Obuasi.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-012, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Groundwater flow modelling in the upper Anga’a river watershed, Yaounde, Cameroon

A. Fouépé Takounjou¹*, V. V. S. Gurunadha Rao², J. Ndam Ngoupayou³, L. Sigha Nkamdjou¹ and G. E. Ekodeck³

¹Institute for Geological and Mining Research-Hydrological Research Centre, P. O. Box 4110, Yaounde, Cameroon

²National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad- 500 606, India

³Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, P. O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon

Accepted 18 September, 2017

Abstract

The Anga’a River watershed is located within the Yaounde IV district, South-east of Yaounde City, Cameroon. The groundwater flow and particle tracking modelling was carried out to determine in detail the groundwater flow and particle migration in the shallow unconfined aquifer of the Upper Anga’a river watershed. The watershed was modelled with a grid of 106 columns x 68 rows with two layers viz., unconfined and semi-confined aquifers extending up to 50 m depth. The Anga’a river traverses in the central part of the watershed and generally flows North-South. Lateral inflows and outflows were simulated with constant head. The Anga’a river heads and the Lake levels were simulated using a river package. Natural recharge due to rainfall formed the main input to the aquifer system and the output was made of abstraction from pumping wells, base flow to Anga’a River, lake, springs and Evapotranspiration. A steady state groundwater flow simulation was carried out using Visual MODFLOW software and calibrated for the February, 2008 groundwater levels at 18 observation wells. The model computation has converged after 170 iterations with a convergence criterion of 0.01 m. The computed groundwater level contours have been following the trend of observed ones. The computed groundwater balance indicated that the Anga’a river base flows come from the groundwater regime. Groundwater Flow model results indicated that the topography controls groundwater flow in the watershed and that base flow to river is an important factor moderating groundwater movement in the Anga’a river watershed.

Keys words: Groundwater, modelling, modflow, modpath, latrine, unconfined aquifer.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-012, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Visual landscape quality in landscape planning: Examples of Kars and Ardahan cities in Turkey

Osman Uzun* and Haldun Müderriso lu

Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Forestry, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey.

Accepted 24 January, 2018

Abstract

Together with European landscape convention, it is required that studies related to landscape planning should be integrated with the sectors such as department of urban and regional planning, industry, agriculture and forestry. Visual landscape analysis has an important position in landscape planning. In this study, it is aimed that a method for visual landscape quality which is one of the researches of landscape analysis is developed in a physical planning workout that is to be carried out in Kars and Ardahan. The data that is to represent the seven factors are: Landform, vegetation, water, color, influence of adjacent scenery, scarcity, cultural modifications, in practicing the visual source management method has been constructed in the environment of geographical information systems by making use of the databases of Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Corine land cover. The accuracy of visual landscape quality maps has been proved by practicing the method in site conditions and in twenty three different points. This situation proves that the method can safely be practiced in the studies such as sub-regional scales, planning and strategic environmental assessment.

Key words: Ardahan, Kars, landscape planning, visual quality.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of groundwater resources potential in the Ejisu-Juaben district of Ghana

G. K. Anornu¹*, B. K. Kortatsi² and Zango Musah Saeed³

¹Civil Engineering Department, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

²CSIR-Water Research Institute, P. O. Box M32, Accra, Ghana.

³Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Development Studies, Navorongo campus Tamale, Ghana.

Accepted 07 September, 2017

Abstract

The increasing stress on freshwater resources due to ever-rising demands and profligate uses as well as growing population of Ejisu-Juaben District is an issue of great concern. The purpose of this study is to make a quantitative estimate of the available groundwater resources in the Ejisu-Juaben district for efficient utilization and management of groundwater resources. The methodology involved the collection and analysis of existing well data and chloride mass balance. The results indicate that the aquifers are composite and composed of weathered regolith of low permeability and high storage and overlying fissured bedrock of high permeability and low storage. Semi unconfined aquifers prevail in major portions, which constitute the principal source of groundwater. The depths of boreholes in the District range from 17 - 75 m with an average of 51 m. Generally Ejisu-Juaben district has low groundwater potential with mean yield, transmissivity and specific yield values of 2.8 m³/h, 12.5 m²/d and 0.95 m³/h/m respectively. Recharge in the district is estimated as 7 - 9% of the average annual rainfall of 1874 mm. The permanent water reserve of 326,064,375 m³ and recoverable water reserve of 130,425,750 m³ for the aquifer of the basement complex aquifer were estimated from the records of 97 boreholes.

Key words: Groundwater assessment, water quality, recharge, water management, water resources.