Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Equilibrium studies on sorption of an anionic dye onto acid activated water hyacinth roots

N. Rajamohan

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sohar University, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman. E-mail: rajmohan_ ech @yahoo.com

Accepted 18 October, 2017

Abstract

The inappropriate disposal of dyes in wastewater constitutes an environmental problem and can cause damage to the ecosystem. Present investigation deals with the utilization of water hyacinth roots (collected from the ponds) as adsorbent for the removal of anionic dye from its aqueous solutions. Batch studies were conducted to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the dye, Congo red on the sorbent with respect to the variations in initial pH, contact time and initial dye concentration and the adsorbent. The effective pH for better adsorption of Congo red on water hyacinth roots was found to be 6.0. Equilibrium reached in about 3 h contact time. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of Congo red on water hyacinth root were analyzed by the Freundlich, Langmuir and Redlich–Peterson isotherm equations. Results showed that Redlich–Peterson isotherm best-fits with the Congo red adsorption isotherm data on all initial dye concentrations. The Freundlich isotherm also showed comparable fit.

Key words: Water hyacinth roots, dye, sorption, isotherms.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-012, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Modification in the design of an already existing palm nut - fibre separator

Stephen Kwasi Adzimah* And Emmanuel Seckley

Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mines and Technology, (UMaT), Tarkwa, Ghana, West Africa.

Accepted 14 January, 2018

Abstract

The modified palm nut-fibre separator machine comprises of a feed hopper, a separating chamber with an upper shaft carrying beaters which act as both conveyor and cake breaker and a lower shaft with sharp edged spiral worm and four (4) fixed blades, a pair of adjustable blades, a prime mover (a 7.5 Hp electric motor of 1900 rpm, or its equivalent IC engine) and inlet and outlet funnels for nuts and fibers respectively. The performance test analysis indicates that the separation capacity is about 500 Kg/h with an efficiency of 92.5% and an optimum radial blade clearance of 2 mm. It is energy saving and affordable for small scale palm nut fruit processing mill operators.

Key words: Modification, palm nut - fibre, separator, palm oil.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of lead in urine of school children in south western Nigeria and effect of ascorbic intervention

O. A. Esimai¹* and O. O. Awotoye²

¹Department of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 September, 2017

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the level of lead in the air and urine of pupils in selected schools in south western Nigeria and ascertain the effect of ascorbic acid, with a view to providing baseline data on lead levels in children. A total of 197 pupils in schools in urban and rural communities of Ife Central Local Government, Osun State in the south west of Nigeria (that is Sabo, Iremo and Ajebamidele (n = 119) and Kajola and Abagboro (n = 78), respectively), The pupils in both communities were randomised into experimental and control group, the experimental group were placed on 500 mg of ascorbic acid daily for five days. Urine samples were collected on the first, third and fifth day of the study from the pupils in experimental and control groups and analysed for lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Air samples were collected using the LaMotte air sampling pump and analysed for lead using the same method. The cross sectional survey indicated that the mean lead levels in the air in the school environment in the urban communities on the first, third and fifth day of the study were (8.69 ± 0.070 µg/m³, 9.27 ± 0.09 µg/m³, 9.27 ± 0.09 µg/m³) respectively and significantly higher than lead levels in rural communities (3.73 ± 0.030 µg/m³). The lead concentration in the urine of the pupils in experimental group in urban (5.51 ± 1.07 µg/m³) and rural communities (5.27 ± 0.98 µg/m³) were similar on the first day of the study. The ingestion of ascorbic acid increased excretion of lead in the urine of pupils significantly (11.22 ± 1.48 µg/m³) on the third day and decreased marginally on the fifth day (9.87 ± 1.20 µg/m³) in the urban communities. Similarly in the rural communities there was a significant increase (11.52 ± 1.41 µg/m³) in the excretion of lead in the urine of pupils on the third day but a marginal increase on the fifth day (12.88 ± 2.27 µg/m³) of the ascorbic acid ingestion. The lead level in the air on the first day of the study had no linear relationship with urinary lead level in the urban and rural communities whilst on the third and fifth day of the study, a linear relationship was observed between lead levels in the air and urinary lead levels of the pupils in the urban and rural communities.

Key words: Urinary lead levels, air lead levels, school children, ascorbic acid intervention.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-011, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating the fate of organic compounds in the Cameroon environment using a level III multimedia fugacity model

Lydia Lifongo¹ and Erick Nfon²*

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63 Buea Cameroon.

²Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM), Svante Arrhenius väg 8C, Stockholm University. SE 106 91, Stockholm Sweden.

Accepted 31 September, 2017

Abstract

A level III fugacity model was developed to evaluate the fate of chemicals in the Cameroon environment. The model required as input physical-chemical properties, mode and amount of chemical released and environmental characteristics. These were used to predict the distribution of the chemical in the environment, quantify intermedia transfer processes and the major loss mechanisms from the environmental compartments. Five pesticides (endosulfan, chloropyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and λ-cyhalothrin) representing volatile, water soluble and persistent compounds were selected for model evaluation. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the key input parameters. Model simulations indicated significant differences in the fate of the chemicals that could be explained by the variation in physical-chemical properties. The log K_OW, emission rate to water (E_W), volume of the water compartment (V_W) and the half-life in water and sediment were identified the as the key parameters influencing the predicted water concentrations. The model developed introduces a cost effective and simple method for screening and identifying priority chemicals. It could also be used to perform baseline exposure and risk assessment of chemicals used in Cameroon where very little data is available for exposure to chemicals due to the huge costs associated with setting up a monitoring program.

Key words: Fate model, fugacity, exposure assessment, chemical fate in Cameroon, persistence.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evolution processes of groundwater quality in an urban area

Seyf-Laye Alfa-Sika Mande¹*, Mingzhu Liu¹, Gbandi Djaneye-Boundjou², Fei Liu¹ and Honghan Chen¹

¹Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources Environmental Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.

²Water Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Lome, BP 1515, Togo.

Accepted 21 February, 2010

Abstract

Groundwater quality evolution was investigated in an urban area of Beijing with multilayered geological formations. The majority of the samples collected during this investigation were found to contain high concentrations of nitrate, which is a serious water quality issue. In addition, this study attempted to explain the controlling processes responsible for the various facies. Overall, the distribution of soluble ions in the groundwater was stratified in the research area because of clay layers. Furthermore, the clay was found to control the concentration of cations and silica, as well as that of chloride ions in the groundwater. Taken together, these findings indicate that the clay layer is one of the most important factors involved in control of groundwater quality in the research area.

Key words: Groundwater, nitrate, clay, silica, cations, chloride.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring family farm development in dryland agricultural areas: A case study of the Laghouat region of Algeria

Khaled Laoubi¹*, Melkhir Boudi², Moulay Adel² and Masahiro Yamao¹

¹Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Japan.

²University of Amar Telidji, Laghouat, Algeria.

Accepted 23 February, 2010

Abstract

Family farming is the predominant agricultural system of dryland agriculture in Algeria. The National Agricultural and Rural Development Program (PNDAR) was implemented in the last decade to enhance the development of family farms in drylands. The objective of the present study was to explore family farm development in Algerian dryland agricultural areas. Specifically, we were interested in the behavior of farmers and stockbreeders toward various institutional and agricultural development policies. To this end, surveys were conducted on 35 randomly selected stratified farmers using closed structured questionnaires in 5 municipalities, which were used to represent the three bioclimatic zones in the Laghouat prefecture. The results showed that the main form of organization at family farms depends on the bioclimatic zone, which affects the production systems, public support and conservative adaptation strategies. Constraints related to production factors are widespread, affect farm operations and challenge public policy. Agricultural diversification such as the introduction of livestock farming and non-agricultural activities occurred on the majority of the farms, and two primary strategies for achieving food security were observed. Namely, food crops were prioritized and diversified on family farms, and speculative crops and livestock were raised simultaneously. Nevertheless, the acquisition of subsidies and farming intensification did not yield significant results due to the non-continuity of actions in time and space. The results of the present study indicated that family farm development policies in drylands should be adaptable and account for the heterogeneity of agriculture, especially bioclimatic factors.

Key words: Family farm, dryland, agricultural policy, agricultural development, bioclimatic.