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Effect of Nutrients on Bioremediation of Crude Oil-Polluted Water
Christiana Edward Anih,
Akindele Okewale,
Nsidibe-Obong Ekpe Moses
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
1-7
Received:
8 November 2018
Accepted:
19 December 2018
Published:
24 January 2019
Abstract: Crude oil pollution has been a common challenge in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The use of biological remediation has helped to detoxify and restore the ecosystems damaged by crude oil spillage. Nutrient addition has been proven to be an effective strategy to enhance oil biodegradation, as they could utilize crude oil as the source of carbon and energy and give a reasonably high biodegradation rate. The effect of biostimulants on the bioremediation of crude oil-polluted water was investigated in this study. Four samples, each having crude oil to water ratio of 1:4 was used. Three sets of samples were each inoculated with microbial load 1x 106cfu/ml of Aspergillus Niger, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa as microbial consortium. All the samples, including the controls, were closely observed for a period of seven weeks at one-week interval for the physiochemical parameters such as pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC), turbidity, and total microbial count. Of all these parameters, only BOD, DO, turbidity, and THC were seen to decrease generally with time of remediation for all the samples. Maximum reductions in value of 94.04%, 97.45%, and 99.09% were achieved for turbidity, BOD, and THC respectively at the microbial consortium load of 1x 10 6cfu/ml.
Abstract: Crude oil pollution has been a common challenge in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The use of biological remediation has helped to detoxify and restore the ecosystems damaged by crude oil spillage. Nutrient addition has been proven to be an effective strategy to enhance oil biodegradation, as they could utilize crude oil as the source of carbon ...
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Conceptual and Analytic Model for Advanced Evaluation of Protected Areas’ Global Evolutionary Trends: The Protected Areas' Trends Assessment and Adaptive Management on the Basis of Long-Term Conservation Objectives or PA-TAMCO Analytic Model
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
8-16
Received:
26 December 2018
Accepted:
15 January 2019
Published:
15 February 2019
Abstract: Protected areas and biodiversity are currently facing important degradation, especially in tropical regions. This evolution questions the management systems and calls for adaptive and sustainable management on the basis of regular assessments of global evolutionary trends and continuous adjustments of conservation objectives and management tools. Adaptive management is yet missing rigorous and integrated indicators for advanced evaluations for many protected areas which have never been assessed despite periodical updating of management goals and plans. The development of reliable, global and low cost methods for adaptive management is therefore a great concern for scientific and conservationist communities given the limitations of commonly used tools and recurrent problems of conservation funding. The PA-TAMCO Analytic Model was designed to promote adaptive actions and management considering spatialized, categorized and aggregated changes from advanced global evaluations. It is an innovative approach and tool for protected areas’ global evolutionary trends with reference to conservation objectives. Theoretically, the Model is based on land cover concepts and land cover analysis recognized as the most practical approach to assess ecosystem units, with reference to vegetation cover, natural processes and theoretical spatial changes. Basically, it relies on four key indicators and tools: (1) Trend Index, (2) Evolutionary Trend, (3) Evolutionary Trend’s Decision Tree Algorithm and (4) Trend Index and Evolutionary Trend’s Classification Grid. Technically, it is based on Remote Sensing data processing; land cover mapping and land cover change analysis using appropriated Remote Sensing and GIS Softwares. The spatial indices and processes responsible for recorded evolutionary trends are determined using landscape ecology tools. In the field of conservation, positive processes are respectively positive and negative when they affect vegetation classes and anthropogenic classes and vice-versa, for negative ones. The input data for the computation of evolution indicators and spatial processes are derived from raw export results of the classifications of Remote Sensing data to GIS software. The sensitivity and resilience of specific ecosystems units to external stresses are measured by three indicators that are “intrinsic stability” (Si), “weighted stability” (S w) and “relative expansion rate” (Re). These indicators are essential for rational management of strategic ecosystems like savannah, water bodies and wetlands in animal sanctuaries and wildlife parks. The implementation of the Model starts with the knowledge of management category, conservation objectives and desired evolutions. The validation process relies on semi-structured interviews involving technical staff and oldest rangers. The model was successfully applied to the Rusizi National Park (Burundi) from 1984 and 2015.
Abstract: Protected areas and biodiversity are currently facing important degradation, especially in tropical regions. This evolution questions the management systems and calls for adaptive and sustainable management on the basis of regular assessments of global evolutionary trends and continuous adjustments of conservation objectives and management tools. A...
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Environmental Sustainability Through Exploitation of Alternative Energy Sources (AES) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Udoh Felix Evans,
Gideon Umoh,
Nsikan Okon James,
Owoidighe Hilary
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
17-21
Received:
3 December 2018
Accepted:
20 January 2019
Published:
28 February 2019
Abstract: In order to drive sustainable human development for the optimization of productivity and economic growth as well as clean environment, the study on alternative energy sources (AES) suitable for exploitation was carried out in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study area was the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State. Ten houses from each of the Senatorial Districts were surveyed and the statistical properties of their septic tanks and numbers of occupants were collected. The septic tank properties were size (measured in metres) and the dislodged time (measured in years). Data show that an average septic tank size is 4 x 3 x 4 for length, width and depth respectively, with an estimated dislodged time of 10years for five adult occupants. By allowing for baffle wall, the volume of the septic tank was determined, the mass of biogas generated was computed to be 30.42kg. The bioenergy that could be generated from biogas of mass 30.43kg was estimated at 144.86kwh per dislodged by using empirical relationships. This energy generated in sewers by biomass when converted to other forms of energy can be enormous for local use. Within the alternative energy sources, the study recommends the use of biomass since most houses in Uyo have private septic tanks as sewers for soil waste. This makes it readily available in the environment. With appropriate policies in place and adequate encouragement in the use of biomass energy, the present gasoline power generators used in various homes could be replaced to ensure environmental sustainability in Akwa Ibom State.
Abstract: In order to drive sustainable human development for the optimization of productivity and economic growth as well as clean environment, the study on alternative energy sources (AES) suitable for exploitation was carried out in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study area was the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State. Ten houses from each of the ...
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Geographical Information System and Multi-criteria Based Cellular Automata Markov Model for Urban Growth and Analysis the Case Study of Bungoma Town Kenya
Morris Barasa Waswa,
Andrew Thiaine Imwati
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
22-30
Received:
9 January 2019
Accepted:
11 February 2019
Published:
11 March 2019
Abstract: Increase in population and the desire to seek new opportunities has contributed to urban growth, putting pressure on facilities in urban centres. Bungoma town, being the headquarter of Bungoma County has undergone radical changes in its physical form, not only in territorial expansion, but also through internal physical transformation. In the process of urbanization, physical characteristic of the town is gradually changing as cropland (agricultural land), vegetation and wetland has been converted to built-up areas. This new urban fabric needs to be analysed to understand the impact of these changes. The aim of this research was to evaluate the suitability of Bungoma town setting, model its growth and predict the future growth of the town based on land cover changes (1985-2015). Landsat satellite images were classified with five land cover classes followed by change detection. To simulate land cover map for Bungoma town in 2030, Markov Chain model and Cellular Automata Markov (CA-Markov) model were used. It was found that built-up area increased over the study period. The major contributors to this change are cropland, vegetation and wetland land cover types. The CA-Markov model results showed that 52% of the total study area will be converted into built-up area, 19% to cropland, 20% to vegetation, 5% to open spaces and 3% to wetland by 2030. This would have negative implication on food security in the region which is a major source of income for the inhabitants. There is need therefore for proper land use planning in the area. In addition, vertical urban development should be encouraged to control rapid expansion of the town.
Abstract: Increase in population and the desire to seek new opportunities has contributed to urban growth, putting pressure on facilities in urban centres. Bungoma town, being the headquarter of Bungoma County has undergone radical changes in its physical form, not only in territorial expansion, but also through internal physical transformation. In the proce...
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