African Journal of Soil Science

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 511-517, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Radionuclides and heavy metals in soils in connection to soil contamination and their effects on plant growth

J.C. Igwe*, I.C. Nnorom and B.C. Gbaruko

Department of Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, P.M.B. 2000, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 03 April, 2018

Abstract

The extent of metal and radionuclide contamination in the world is immense. In soils, metals and radionuclide can be dissolved in solution, or ion exchanged in reaction, complexed with soil organics or precipitate as pure or mixed solids. Soluble contaminants are subject to migration with soil water, uptake by plants or aquatic organisms or loss due to volatilization. Lead, chromium, zinc, arsenic and cadmium are the most frequently identified inorganic contaminants in soil and ground water. Unlike degradable organic contaminants and ever short -lived radionuclides that can become less toxic over time, metals can be considered conservative. However, many metals, especially radio -sensitive elements such as arsenic and chromium can undergo transformation or sorption reaction that alter both mobility and relative toxicity. This paper therefore, makes a review of these behaviours of radionuclides and heavy metals in soils, in connection to soil contamination and their effects on plant growth.

Key words: Kinetics, radionuclides, Heavy metals, Soil, plant growth.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 501-506, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of soils in the Gamodubu landfill area in the Kweneng District, Botswana

Thatayaone Popego¹, Oagile Dikinya², Goabaone Gaobotse³

¹Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.

²Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana.

³Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: 00267 75520 888

Accepted 02 December, 2018

Abstract

Understanding soil attributes guides arable farming initiatives in many countries, especially developing countries. In this study, soils of the Gamodubu area, in the Kweneng District, Botswana, were analysed to determine their suitability for arable farming. Soil organic matter (SOM) was estimated by determining soil organic carbon (SOC) times a factor. Five samples of soil were collected in the Gamodubu area for evaluation in the laboratory. There was positive correlation between soil organic matter and soil organic carbon of the 5 samples. Organic carbon percentages ranged from 3.44% to 4.90% while organic matter percentages ranged from 5.85% to 8.42%. The SOM/SOC ratios varied from 1.70 to 1.72 for the 5 soil samples. The pH among the soil samples ranged from 4.65 to 6.80 signalling slightly acidic to almost neutral pH conditions. Most plants grow in the 5.5 to 7.5 pH range. Luvisol soil group was found to be the dominant class in the study area rendering the soil in the area to be highly fertile. Loamy sand soil was found in four soil samples.The findings of this study will not only guide future arable farming assistance programmes by the government, but will also provide valuable reference information for future studies on the soils of the Gamodubu area.

Keywords: Soil organic matter, soil organic carbon, pH, electrical conductivity, characterization.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 497-500, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school age children in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

Egwunyenga, O. Andy¹ and Ataikiru, D. Palmer²

¹Department of Zoology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

²Parasitology Laboratory, Baptist Medical Centre, Eku, Delta State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 23 August, 2017

Abstract

The prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections and their relationship to anthropometric indices of 1,351 school children from Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria were evaluated. 739 (54.70%) of the subjects were infected by soil- transmitted helminths (STH). The overall prevalences by species were Ascaris lumbricoides (48.41%), hookworms (29.76%), and Trichuris trichiura (17.39%). 174 (12.88%) were infected with two or more STHs. Males (60.81%) were generally more infected than females (43.30%), but this was only statistically significant among children aged 5 – 7 years. The mean number of eggs per gram of faeces (epg) was generally low. Analysis of epg for each species indicated that 7.8, 7.60 and 1.70% of the subjects had high intensity of infections for Ascaris, hookworms and Trichuris, respectively. There was no relationship between intensity of infections and wasting, while children with high intensity of infections were more stunted than others.

Key words: Soil-transmitted helminths ,school-age, children, nigeria,prevalence.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 6 (3), pp. 444-446, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Drilling fluid base oil biodegradation potential of a soil Staphylococcus species

C. O. Nweke¹ and G. C. Okpokwasili*

Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author: E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 28 March, 2017

Abstract

Staphylococcus sp. isolated from oil-contaminated soil was grown in 1% drilling fluid base oil, HDF-2000, as a sole source of carbon and energy. The organism has strong affinity for the substrate, growing at the rate of 0.16 h^-1. It uses adherence and emulsification as mechanisms for oil uptake. In a nutrient-rich marine broth, base oil (up to 2.0% v/v) and glucose (up to 1.6% w/v) have no significant effect on the growth rates. This showed that the Staphylococcus sp. is a strong primary utilizer of the base oil and has potential for application in bioremediation processes involving oil-based drilling fluids.

Key words: Drilling fluid base oil, Staphylococcus sp., biodegradation.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 6 (9), pp. 485-489, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of application of rock phosphates amended with poultry manure on the performance and yields of maize and cowpea grown sequentially

Akande, M.O*, Adediran J.A, and F.I. Oluwatoyinbo

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B 5029 Moor Plantation, Ibadan Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 02 May, 2017

Abstract

The effect of rock phosphate (Sokoto and Ogun rock phosphates) amended with poultry manure on soil available phosphate (P) and yield of maize and cowpea grown sequentially was evaluated for four cropping seasons. The results obtained showed superiority of single super phosphate (SSP) application over either Sokoto or Ogun rock phosphates. However, complementary application of the Sokoto and Ogun rock phosphates with poultry manure increased maize plant height by 12 and 6, and 19 and 8%, respectively. Also, percent phosphorus contents in maize and cowpea leaf tissues increased respectively by 33 and 22, and 22 and 25% in 2000, and by 25 and 6, and 16 and 18%, respectively in 2001. Maize grain yield was increased by 33 and 26, and 18 and 25%, respectively, while that of cowpea was increased by 25 and 32, and 49 and 38% in 2000 and 2001, respectively when compared with application of rock phosphate alone. Single super phosphate treated soil had the highest residual P values in all the three sampling periods. The effectiveness of rock phosphate as a P sources for crop production was remarkably enhanced by solubilizing effect of poultry manure. Its low rate (2 t ha^-1) in combination with rock phosphate gave almost similar effects like higher rates (3 and 4 t ha ^-1) of applications.

Key words: Rock phosphates, poultry manure, available phosphorus, maize, cowpea.

Key words: Crude oil, soil microcosm, biodegradation.