Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Local institutions for sustaining wetland resources and community livelihoods in the Lake Victoria basin

Jacob K. Kibwage¹, Paul O. Onyango², and Hilary Bakamwesiga³

¹Maseno University, School of Environment and Earth Sciences P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya.

²Paul lectures at University of Dares Salaam, Faculty of Aquatic Sciences and Technology (FAST), Tanzania.

³Hillary also lectures at Makerere University, Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (MUIENR), Uganda.

Accepted 08 February, 2011

Abstract

What should policy makers do in deciding between institutions promoting community livelihoods or sustaining wetland resources within an impoverished community? Prioritizing community livelihoods without understanding the impact of local institutions on wetland resources may only aggravate impoverishment. However, prioritizing sustainable wetland resource use may lead to short-term impoverishment with positive long-term effect on both community livelihood and sustainable wetland resources. This paper tries to address this difficulty by assessing local level institutions such as property rights and those that govern extraction of wetland resources in three wetland communities of Lake Victoria. The paper argues that reassessing institutions on ‘tenure system’ and ‘access to’ resources are desirable policy objectives that should guide such decisions.

Key words: Sondu-Miriu, Katonga, Simiyu/Duma, wetland sustainability, community livelihoods, local institutions, Lake Victoria Basin.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seasonal variations in heavy metal concentrations in soil and some selected crops at a landfill in Nigeria

E. A. Oluyemi^*, G. Feuyit, J. A. O. Oyekunle and A. O. Ogunfowokan

Department of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria.

Accepted 05 March, 2011

Abstract

In this study, the seasonal variations in concentrations of the heavy metals - As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn - in soil and crops from a farm near the refuse dump site of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria were investigated during the two major seasons of Nigeria. This was done to assess the pollution status of the farm and hence the safety levels of the crops produced. Soil and crop samples collected during the 2005/2006 rainy and dry seasons were treated and digested using standard wet digestion methods. Heavy metals were determined with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Analytical results of soil from landfill indicated that in the wet and dry seasons, values for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Zn, Co and Pb were higher than normal levels of a typical agricultural soil, but As (3.20 and 4.13 mg/kg) was found to be within the acceptable range while Mn values of 597.00 - 828.37 mgkg^-1 were slightly above the usual background levels. The study showed highest concentrations of As (8.31 mg/kg), Cr (9.00 mg/kg) and Ni (40.00 mg/kg) in Manihot esculenta leaves; Cu (25.0 0 mg/kg) and Fe (176.00 mg/kg) in Xantosoma mafaffa tuber; Cd (14.50 mg/kg), Co (22.50 mg/kg), Mn (189.50 mg/kg), Pb (680.00 mg/kg) and Zn (440.59 mg/kg) in Talinum triangulare. In general, the levels of heavy metals in soil and crops were higher in the dry season than in the wet season, but this difference is not statistically significant. Particularly, the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were above the critical toxic level in plant leaves in both dry and wet seasons while Zn and Cu occurred at toxic levels only in the dry season.

Key words: Contamination, heavy metals, landfill, refuse dump, transfer factor.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Predicting chromium (VI) adsorption rate in the treatment of liquid-phase oil-based drill cuttings

Reuben N. Okparanma* and Miebaka J. Ayotamuno

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, P.M.B 5080, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Accepted 09 January, 2011

Abstract

The adsorption rate of chromium (VI) on commercial activated carbon during the treatment of the flocculation effluent of liquid- phase oil-based drill-cuttings has been investigated in terms of contact time and initial chromium (VI) ion concentration. Homogenizing 1 g of the activated carbon with 100 ml of the flocculation effluent of known initial concentrations (1.25 6.25 mg/l, in turn) in a flask, at a constant stirring speed of 80 rpm at 25^oC for 180 min, the pseudo- second- order kinetics was observed to be more suitable in predicting the adsorption rate of chromium (VI) ion in the treatment process as experimental data fitted the model relatively better than the pseudo -first-order kinetics with R² = 0.9999. Adsorption took place in two steps: an initial high rate step before reaching a plateau at equilibrium in the low rate step. Equilibrium was attained in a contact time of 60 min and the equilibrium adsorption capacity of the activated carbon was 78.6%. Equilibrium adsorption data fitted the Freundlich isotherm well with R² = 0.981. The intensity of adsorption was 1.32, which indicates a strongly favourable adsorption. This showed that a large proportion of the chromium (VI) ion was adsorbed at low concentration of the adsorbate in solution.

Key words: Carbon adsorption, kinetic models, drill cuttings, chromium removal.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-002, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Editorial

Anthophilia and the Quality of Life

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of wild animals: Case of the Derby Eland and the African wild dog in North Cameroon

Tsi, E. A.¹, Ajaga, Nji², Wiegleb, G.³ and Mühlenberg, M.⁴

¹Department of Forestry, , Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA), P. O. Box 222 Dschang, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

²Department of Agricultural sociology, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA), P. O. Box 222 Dschang, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

³Chair of General Ecology, BTU Cottbus, Germany.

⁴Centre for Nature Conservation, University of Gottingen, Germany.

Accepted 08 December, 2010

Abstract

Data on the perception of and willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of the Derby Eland and the African Wild Dog in North Cameroon were collected from August to October 2004 using administered questionnaires. The results show a positive attitude of respondents towards wildlife conservation. They indicated willingness to support actions geared towards the conservation of endangered species in National Parks. WTP often leads to a social dilemma of a choice between one’s self interests and community or group interest. This choice often affects attitudes, motivations, perceptions, and values leading to different outcomes at the individual and group levels. The level of awareness of the need for wildlife conservation of endangered species in Cameroon National Parks is high and thus leads to a high approval of conservation plans. As a result respondents expressed the view that individuals have a moral obligation to cooperate in wildlife conservation effort. Where private operators and governments manage hunting zones (ZIC) and National Parks respectively, the results are not always excellent as they should be. Funds generated from taxes and individual contributions for specific conservation measures are neither used by officials for wildlife conservation as hoped nor to compensate farmers for damages caused by wildlife. Even though a positive environmental attitude influences the WTP for environmental goods, the WTP for environmental goods is certainly out of surplus and personal unique dispositions, perception, organization, understanding and appreciation of the environment. However, under the present management scheme, local communities around Faro and Benoué National Parks benefit from tax quotas. Primarily because of the attractiveness and beauty of the Derby Eland and the African Wild Dog, respondents expressed favourable attitude towards their conservation despite their attractive tendencies and notorious labels as animals of prey.

Key words: Conservation, gender, perception, willingness to pay, ecotourism.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Dissolved nitrogen in drinking water resources of farming communities in Ghana

Osei Akoto¹* and Jackson Adiyiah²

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

²Regional Programmes Division Environmental Protection Agency, Sunyani – Ghana.

Accepted 09 October, 2010

Abstract

A water quality study was carried out on streams and boreholes which serve as drinking water sources in farming communities in the Brong Ahafo region of the Republic of Ghana. The objective of this research was to determine concentrations of different forms of nitrogen in drinking water samples. Water samples were collected from these sources every three months (from January – December 2005) and analyzed for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite using the Palintest Photometer Method. Results indicated the annual mean concentration of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia varied from 0.09 - 1.06 mg/l, 0.006 - 0.36 mg/l and 0.008 - 0.179 mg/l respectively. An important observation is that, in general, higher nitrate and nitrite concentrations were found during the rainy season compared to the dry season. Concentrations of these potentially toxic substances were below WHO acceptable limits for surface and groundwaters, indicating these water resources appear safe for drinking from a dissolved nitrogen perspective.

Key words: ammonia, Brong Ahafo, nitrate, nitrite, nitrogen, ground and surface water.