PCBs are versatile and synthetic chlorinated compounds, though its production was banned years ago, the continual use of PCBs in transformer oil and printing ink still persists. PCBs in the environment cause soil contamination and pollution. This study focus on the determination of PCBs in different sources and their vicinity soils in Makurdi Nigeria. GC-MS analysis of PCBs in the soils revealed concentrations in the range of 0.18 - 151.31 ppm. The trend in abundance of PCBs (ppm) and total Cl are as follows; tPCBs (ppm) of WS1 (14.63) > RP2 (3.84) > RS2 (2.88) > DS4 > (2.76) > US6 (2.61) > MS3 (1.35) > CS7 (0.18) > 0.02 (permissible limit). The concentration of transformer oil PCB (TO8 is 151.31 ppm) > 50 ppm (threshold limit). tPCBs with BZ number 138 (31.02 ppm) in TO8 is the most abundant. PCBs with BZ number 153 (0.01 ppm) and BZ number 138 (0.01ppm) in RS2 has the least value. in the long run chronic exposure may cause casinoma in the liver and malignant melanoma. The trend of total number of Cl in the PCB compounds (tCl) follows the order of TO8 (80) > WS1 (67) > RP5 (62) >RS2 (52) > US6 (43) > DS4 (29) > MS3 (18) >5-10 (toxic). They are all toxic and above permissible limit. Chlorine numbers in the range of 5- 10 > CS7 (4) is non-toxic. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the concentration of tPCBs and total number of Cl across the study area. Generally, the significant levels/difference (p< 0.05) of ∑PCBs in the analytical sample when compared to the control soil samples calls for concern.

One cannot dispute the fact that AngloGold Ashanti has contributed to the development of Sanso community. Nevertheless, its operations in the area have caused several conflicts. The study was basically to assess the factors that fuel conflicts between AGA and the people of Sanso. The research was purely qualitative with case study as its design. The participants selected for the study were 22. The selection of participants was done using nonprobability sampling techniques such as snowballing, purposive and convenience. Data was collected through the use of open-ended questionnaire, semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. Three police personnel and four AGA staff were given the open-ended questionnaire to answer. Interviews were conducted with the three opinion leaders, two AGA security guards and one official from the Obuasi Municipal Assembly. The researchers also held focus group discussion with the last group of respondents, that is, the Gather-them-and-sell (‘Galamseyers’) artisanal miners who were nine in number. The factors fuelling the conflict which the study revealed include failure of AGA to employ the local folks, reluctance of AGA to discharge its social responsibilities to the mining community and the company’s unpreparedness to foot the electricity bills of community members after it had connected them to the national grid. The recommendations were that the AGA must employ the youth directly or provide them with an alternative livelihood and also the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should establish a special desk to oversee the relationships between mining communities and companies with the view to dealing with mining-related issues that have the tendency of causing serious clashes.

In a 4 weeks study, the ecology of toads in Nnamdi Azikiwe University was studied. Two sites/habitats (swampy water body at the girl’s hostel and the stream behind faculty of management sciences) were sampled twice weekly and the toads were collected by active search at night for relative toad density, and physiochemical properties of the water bodies. A total of eighty six (86) toads were collected; forty (48) from habitat A and thirty eight (38) from habitat B. Physiochemical parameters investigated include pH, conductivity, acidity, alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, temperature, turbidity. Numerically the population of habitat A was greater than that of habitat B, but statistical analysis using t-test showed no statistical significance between the two populations. The analysis of the water habitats in comparison with the regulatory limit or standard of the world health organization (WHO) and Nigeria Industrial standard (NIS) showed that the pH values of the both habitats were below the standard or regulatory limit. The temperature values were ambient and supportive of good surface water quality, Total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen (DO) was within acceptable limit of WHO while biological oxygen demand (BOD) exceeded the limit of WHO.

The objective of this study was to evaluate occupational hazards and work safety among chainsaw operators in Uyo, Nigeria. Data for 29 out of 34 registered members engaged in chainsaw operation were gathered using structure questionnaires. The results indicated that chainsaw operators were dominated by male between the age 32-50 (44.8％) who has attained some form of formal education. Over 50％ of the operators averred their awareness of the risky nature of their job mostly from colleagues (75％). The most perceived occupational hazards were hit by dead trees (96.6％), fall (69.0％) and rolling log (37.9％), while back and shoulder pain (75.9％), hearing impairment (55.2％) and joint pain (41.4％) were the major occupational health ailment. Safety shoes (93.1％), ear muffler (82.8％) and safety glass (65.5％) were the personal protective equipment (PPE) used but safety shoes (69.0％) was the most frequently utilized. High cost followed by not-convenient were the most cited reasons limiting the utilization of PPE by the operators Chainsaw operators should be adequately train on the handling of chainsaw machine, workplace safety and proper use of PPE. Training and strict enforcement of the use of PPE by relevant safety organization is envisioned as the possible way out to reduction of occupational hazards and improvement of work safety in this forestry sector.

The indiscriminate disposal of spent engine oil (SEO) drained from engines after maintenance has been found to affect plant growth. This study evaluated the effect of SEO on growth, phytochemical composition, and oxidation products of Abelmoscheus esculentus (Okra) plant. A potted experiment simulated environment was developed at the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, to investigate the minimum concentration of SEO that could be inhibitory to the growth of A. esculentus (Okra) seed. The plastic containers filled with 4900g of humus soil were contaminated with various volumes Of SEO (0, 49, 147 and 294ml/4900g of humus soil) to give a percentage concentration of 0％, 1％, 3％, and 6％ respectively. Each treatment had three replicates arranged in a complete randomized block design. Germination studies carried out showed the number of seeds of okra that grew into seedling decreased with the increasing level of the contaminant. Percentage germination was found to decrease from 100％ in 0ml to 66％ in 49ml, 33％ in 147ml and no growth in 294ml. Phytochemical composition of the leaves after 3 months showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in vitamin C, saponin and alkaloid and a significant increase (p<0.05) in flavonoid, cyanogenic glycoside and oxalate concentrations with a respective increase in SEO pollution. The result obtained in this study shows the phytotoxic effect of SEO and suggests that SEO at a concentration of 49ml (1％) /4900g of humus soil could be inhibitory to growth and seedling of Okra.

Port Said power plant is one of the tangible development cornerstones of the Port Said city, Egypt. It produces electricity using turbines and two glasses reinforced plastic pipes (GRPs) for the intake and discharge of water. These pipes (2.3 m diameter) are buried in soft clayey soil at depths of 0.4 m and 4.5 m. In the study area, microtremors were used to delineate the accurate locations of GPR pipes recognized by its resonance frequency. Microtremor is usually used in the field of seismology to detect soil effect (e.g. soil amplification), however in this study it is used to separate subsurface structures. In this context, seven profiles with 70 stations were conducted. In each station, three components (one vertical and two horizontal) where recorded with a 30 second for every file. The processed data revealed 2.5 Hz peak which believed to be the natural vibration frequency of the soft soil. Whereas, 4 Hz and 6.5 Hz reflected the shallow and deep GRP pipes, respectively. 

Today it is observed the intense growth of various global wide scale threats to civilization, such as natural and manmade catastrophes, ecological imbalance, global climate change, numerous hazards pollutions of large territories and directed terrorist attacks, resulted to huge damages and mass casualty emergencies. The humankind has faced the majority of treats at the first time. Therefore, there are no analogues and means to be used for their solving. It stimulates modernization of traditional methods and development of new ones for its researching, prediction and prevention with maximum possible decreasing of their negative consequences. The global issue of safety provision for the humankind is the most actual and requires an immediate decision. Catastrophe risks have increased so much, that it becomes evident, that none of the states is able to manage them independently. Join efforts of all world community are necessary for the substantial development of our civilization. Main obstacles for this realization are under discussion. The authors of this article have their own experience and methods in this direction. Wide scale global catastrophes have not any boundaries. Any political and economic frictions between some states are not the reasons for the implementation of the struggle against them. The total emergency recommendations and actions have to be improved to eliminate and software of negative disaster’s responses on population and environment. Some our examples of realization with using of own Integrated Emergency Management and using of special methods and techniques in the most critical situations, which have taken place in different countries in 21 century.

This paper assessed the disparity in valuation of the functions of the sacred forests in South Southern Niger Delta of Nigeria based on socio economics of the respondents. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 30 respondents resident in each of the host communities of the eight studied sacred forest using lottery method without replacement. 14 items which reflected the perceived socioeconomic values of the scared forests drawn from the Participatory Rural Approach technique (PRA) made up the survey tools used in the study. Composite Index (CI) analytical technique was employed in evaluating the magnitude of incidences and value appreciation across the population hence the survival propensity of the sacred forests. The result indicates that significant differences existed in relationship between perceived values and all the socioeconomic variables considered. Youths (<30 years), females, singles and smaller household respondents all had the least perceived value for the sacred forests. Respondents with no formal education had a higher value index for the sacred forests. Also majority (59.5％) of the respondents agreed that these sites had little or no value since they had no equitable access to the resources. The study recommend a shift in perception about the cultural roles of the scared forests to the actual benefits where all and sundry can appreciate without feeling alienated because of the social status.

Many studies have described the parasitic relationship between Opuntia ficus-indica and Dactylopius tomentosus in the light of biological control systems. This has been done with no or little concern on the direct cost the agent insect causes on the host plant and diversity of other organisms surrounding the plant’s existence. The aim of this study was to assess the percentage light interception variations on Opuntia fiscus-indica due to Dactylopius tomentosus insect infestation and its impact on phytomorphology around Masvingo City in Zimbabwe. The assessment was done by measuring changes in cladode/stem thickness, nymph density and PLI (Percentage Light Interception), the difference between the incoming (I0) solar irradiance and the outgoing (I1) solar radiation, of D. tomentosus infested plants over a period of 162 days. With increased infestation period, measurements on O. ficus-indica cladode/stem thickness and PLI were significantly lower than their initial states (p .000). These changes effected significantly on the structure of the host plant (O. ficus-indica), that is, lanceolated shape of the cladodes/stems collapsed, while at the same time the plant lost its green colouring. This allowed more light to pass through, hence reduced PLI. Pearson correlation between cladode/stem thickness and PLI over the same measurement period was significantly positive (p < .000). The correlation between nymph density and PLI over the same 4 time measurement period was significantly negative (p < .000). A relatively low but significant total dependence of PLI on nymph density was also shown (p < .000).Changes in the measurements of the three variables that is, cladode/stem thickness, nymph density and PLI over the study period affected the overall morphological structure of the host plant, predictive of total plant death and hence host plant local extinction beyond the study period.

The study was carried out to investigate the toxicity of daksh insecticide on the African catfish C. gariepinus post fingerlings using a 96 hour static bioassay. The experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions with 360 post fingerlings of the test fish species distributed randomly in triplicate concentrations. The test fishes were treated with concentrations of 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006 and 0.007mg/l of daksh insecticide. The 96 hour LC50 was determined for Log toxicant concentration after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour exposure. The 96 hour LC50 was 0.0028mg/l with a 95％ confidence limits of between 3.4 – 7.69. The maximum safe concentrations were 2.8-04 – 2.8-05 for C. gariepinus exposed to daksh insecticide. The result also showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the water quality parameters as the concentration of the toxicant increased, also, variations in the 24 and 96 h-LC50 showed a significant difference (p <0.05), while variations between the 48 and 72 h-LC50 was not significant (p >0.05). Water quality parameters tested for this experiment were temperature, Dissolved Oxygen and pH. Temperature was observed to be near normal while pH and D.O reduced drastically as concentration of toxicant increased.

This study assesses ornamental nursery operation and factors that influence gender composition variation among the operators in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data was collected using a structured administered to all the nursery operators in the study area being 42 operators. Descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression were employed in analyzing the data collected. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents were male (66.67％), married (71.43％), literate (95.24％), between the age class of 25-54 years (85.77％), had been in operation for >6years (71.43％), acquired training in the operation (66.20％) and earned an annual income of ₦301,000-₦400,000 (47.62％). Also, majority of them obtain the seeds/cutting from mother trees (41.18％), preserved their seeds by drying (48.84％), used paid labor (68.89％), operated ornamental nursery size of <0.05ha (88.10) and operated all year round (100％). The result of regression analysis showed that the factors accounted for 67.9％ of the variation in gender composition in nursery operation and was significant at p<0.001. Age (-0.403, p<0.001), years in business (-0.209, p<0.05), income (2.751, p<0.05) and training in business (0.541, p<0.001) were the major determinants of gender variation. It is recommended that considering the annual income of the ornamental nursery operators, more people should be encouraged to venture into the business in other to expand the ornamental nursery sector in the state.

The majority of consumer products used today is composed of some form of plastic. Worldwide, almost 280 million tons of plastic materials are produced annually, much of which end up in landfill or the oceans. Plastics are produced by the conversion of natural products or by synthesis from primary chemicals, generally from oil, natural gas or coal. In contemporary society, plastic has attained a pivotal status, with extensive commercial, industrial, medicinal and municipal applications. It affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86％ of all sea turtle species, 44％ of all seabird species, and 43％ of all marine mammal species. Marine animals are harmed mostly through ingestion, entanglement and subsequently strangulation. Ingested plastics debris has been found to reduce stomach capacity, hinder growth, cause internal injuries and create intestinal blockage. Plastics entanglement with nets or other materials can result in strangulation, reduction of feeding efficiency, and even drowning. Plastics pollution facilitates the transport of species to other regions, alien species hitchhike on floating debris and invade new ecosystem thereby causing a shift in species composition or even extinction of other species. Legislation, prohibiting the disposal of plastics in the sea, introducing of biodegradable plastics, recycling of plastics and public awareness campaigns to discourage littering are various ways in which this problem can be minimized. Other remedial measures include enforcing environmental laws, development of indigenous and homegrown knowledge for plastic waste management and development and implementation of quality standards for all plastic recycled products.

A study was conducted at Twedie in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to assess the current levels of soil nutrients at the sand winning site, compare with a closed farmland (undegraded land) which is of the same geology with the study area and the socio-economic effect of the people. Ten (10) soil samples were taken each from these areas and transported to the laboratory for analysis for the levels of pH, N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and CEC. The cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, Nitrogen, Organic matter of undisturbed land varied from 3.18me/100g, 5.56, 0.11％ and 2.92％ to 4.65me/100g, 6.42, 0.23％ and 4.01％ with average of 3.75me/100g, 6.13, 0.16％ and 3.47％ which were far higher than the values from the disturbed land. A field survey was also done to assess the level of education and employment situation of the indigenes in the area. The results showed that there was significant difference in terms of soil nutrient levels between the undisturbed and degraded land. The men in the town have also resorted to sand winning activity and this has affected food production, high illiteracy level and other activities.

Crops are faced with several definite environmental stresses either concurrently or at different periods during their entire growth and productivity season. Combinational occurrence of stresses and pollution such as salinity stress and crude oil pollution is destructive to crop growth and productivity than these stresses occurring separately at different crop growth. This research was aimed at showing different stress combinations (salinity stress and crude oil pollution) and their impact on Telfairia occidentalis and the potential of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus deserticola in ameliorating these deleterious combinational effects. Results from this study showed distinct characteristics of salinity and crude oil pollution in a single and combined stress effect showing remarked reduction in growth parameters (vine length, leaf area, petiole length and internode length), minerals composition (K, Ca, Fe, Mg, P, and Mn) and chlorophyll contents (a, b and carotenoids) of Telfairia occidentalis in the non-mycorrhizal treatments. However, there was an increase in Na+ content in T. occidentalis. Heavy metal analysis revealed high accumulation of Cr, Cd, Cu and Pb in T. occidentalis. The AMF Glomus deserticola induced reduction in heavy metals contents, and showed remarkable promotion of growth, increased mineral contents, chlorophyll contents and salt tolerance in Telfairia occidentalis and as reported by this research to be a latent bioremediating medium against salinity and in sites polluted with organic contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons. This research thus supports the continued curiosity surrounding the use of AMF symbiosis as a boost to plants faced with stress as a well-rationaled means.

Aiming at securing the local people of village Nakra in Mestia region (Georgia) against floods and mudflows, the work considers the results of the field and theoretical studies carried out in the water catch basin of Laknashera River, the right tributary of Nakra River. The principal geological, hydrological and hydraulic characteristics of Laknashera River catch basin, as well as GIS and GPS technologies, were used to identify the sensitive sites of the river where landslide processes of various intensities are expected to originate. Mathematical modeling and software Volna-4 were used to identify the relation between the principal hydraulic and hydrological properties of the flood and mudflow wave formed in case a 20-meter-high natural coffer soli-stone barrier in the riverbed is disrupted and the time and geometry of the flooded area on the example of Laknashera River. At the following stage, the obtained data can be used to realize preventive and complex engineering environmental measures to ensure the safety of the population of village Nakra against natural calamities. Such measures, together with other environmental protection measures, shall describe the regulation of the transit portion of both, the talus train and bed of Laknashera River by constructing the cascades of reliable springboard-type structures.

Local knowledge is important in successful adaptation strategies for climate change. A repertoire of varying autonomous practices for adaptation to climate change is found in the existing literature which confirms the dynamic nature of adaptation to climate change which is mainly determined by the extent of vulnerability caused by continued depletion of resources in the environment. Case specific studies are therefore important in understanding why and how people in specific spatial and temporal scales respond to climate change in a certain manner. This article assesses autonomous adaptation practices to climate variability and change in Kishapu district in Tanzania reflecting on local knowledge. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Questionnaires, in-depth interviews and observation were used to collect data. Thematic data analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were used to analyze such collected data. The study establishes that traditional rainwater harvesting, agro-forestry, conservation agriculture, pest control, shifting planting time, change of planting methods, changing crop varieties, changing harvesting methods, and planting crop seeds in different fields are the major autonomous adaptation practices employed to adapt to the varying and changing climate in the study area. The study suggests policy considerations on building local peoples capacity in such areas as rainwater harvesting. The study further suggests that promoting traditional medicines in pests’ control, and sharing weather forecast information should form one of the important policy agendas at national level.

The contamination and pollution of water sources by crude oil spillages from the activities of militants in the Niger Delta in Nigeria have seriously resulted in surface and ground water pollution rendering the water sources unfit for many domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. Comparative study was conducted to absorb/purify crude oil contaminated water samples using rice husk, cotton wool and coconut fibre as filter/absorbent materials. Sixteen grams of the materials were wrapped in a pouch and submerged into two set-ups labeled as: set up A for pure crude oil and set up B containing mixture of crude oil and seawater for one hour. The amount of crude oil absorbed/purified from each set up was recorded. The result showed that cotton wool had the highest amount of absorbed crude oil with volumes recorded in three trials as (232 ml, 300 ml and 189 ml), rice husk had the lowest amount of crude oil absorption of (78ml, 80ml and 89ml) in the set up containing pure crude oil. In the other set up containing mixture of seawater and crude oil, coconut fibre had the highest amount of absorbed crude oil with volumes of (124ml, 240ml and 233ml), followed by cotton wool with volumes of (124ml, 100ml and 150ml), rice husk absorbed the least volumes of (33ml, 100ml and 80ml) respectively. The mean absorption ability of Coconut fibre and Cotton wool proved the best in the absorption of pure crude oil and in the mixed state of crude oil and sea water. Analysis of variance of results between the amounts of absorbed crude oil by the materials in the two set-ups was significantly different. Coconut fibre and Cotton wool are hereby recommended as a first hand filtration/absorption and cleaning materials for use to purify crude oil contaminated water for local use prior to skimming and dispersion methods as these materials are locally available in the affected areas.

The study assessed the concentration of Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Mn and Cr in soils and contamination index found in residential, agricultural, market, institutional, mechanic workshop and filling station in Ojo area Lagos State. Random sampling technique was employed to collect 12 surface soil samples (2 soil samples for each land use) using a soil auger and analysed using standard laboratory procedures. The study found that the contents of Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Mn and Cr were far below WHO permissible level as the land uses generated very low quantities of heavy metals. The order of metal concentration was Fe>Cu>Zn>Mn>Cr>Pb; which implied that Fe and Cu had increased concentrations, while the order of land use with increased heavy metal contamination in the soil was mechanic workshop>agricultural>market>residential>institutional>filling station. Positive and significant associations between heavy metals were found between Fe and Zn, Mn and Zn, Mn and Cu, Cr and Zn, Cr and Cu and Cr and Mn. Results of contamination factor of heavy metal indicated low contamination factor. Also, the degree of contamination indicated low degree of metal contamination, while the pollution index revealed absence of pollution concern in spite of the numerous human activities in the area. Based on the results, the study suggested that though, the respective land uses had low heavy metal level, the soils around agricultural area and mechanic workshop should be monitored to control the gradual buildup of metals in the soil; because the activities carried out in these two land uses had the potential of increasing the content of heavy metal in the soil.