Sumerianz Journal of Scientific Research
Online ISSN: 2617-6955
Print ISSN: 2617-765X
Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)
Journal Website: https://www.sumerianz.com/?ic=journal-home&journal=29Archive
Volume 2 Issue 12 (2019)
Heavy Metal Concentration in the Gut of the Edible Crab (Uca Tangeri) in the New Calabar and Brass Rivers, Niger Delta Nigeria
Authors : Alagoa K. J. ; Yabefa J. A.
Abstract:The concentration of the heavy metals lead (Pb), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) was examined in the gut of the edible land crab (Uca tangeri) in the New Calabar and Brass rivers respectively. This was done in order to ascertain the amount of heavy metals in the crab samples and its implication on human health and safety as a result of bioaccumulation and bio-magnification respectively. Crab samples from the New Calabar and Brass rivers were obtained in triplicates and transported to the Chemical Science Laboratory of the Niger Delta University. They were oven dried and the gut contents analysed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS).Data were subjected to calculations of means, standard deviation and the use of T-test to compare means. This was aided by the use of the SPSS® 21.0 software. Result showed significant difference (P<0.05) in all metal parameters between the Brass and New Calabar rivers. All metal parameters are lower than the international permissible limit. It can therefore be concluded that eating crabs from these rivers do not portend an immediate danger to human health and safety. However, the consumption of one too many crabs may result in health issues because of the risk of bioaccumulation. Also, we therefore discourage future anthropogenic inputs as further additions may radically change the health dynamics of consuming these fishery products.
Pages: 197-200
Antibacterial Evaluation and GC-MS Analysis of the Essential Oil from Botanically Certified Oleo Gum Resin of Boswellia Sacra (Sudanese Luban)
Authors : Tuhami Elzein Hagr ; Ibrahim Abdurrahman Adam
Abstract:The aim of the present study is to assess the phytochemical screening, investigate the chemical constituents of the Essential Oil from Boswellia sacra Seeds and to evaluate its potential antibacterial activity. Using the Soxhlet method to extract the essential oil from Sudanese Luban Seeds. The chemical constituents of Sudanese Luban Oil were identified and quantified by GC-MS, where the paper disc diffusion assay was employed to evaluate the antibacterial activity. Phytochemical screening showed that Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Triterpens, Streols, Tannins and phenolic compounds are present in Boswellia sacra (Sudanese Luban). Twenty five components have been identified. Nine of them are major namely; Hexadecanoate methyl ester (16.08%); 9,12-Octadecadienoate (Z,Z)-methyl ester (21.03%); 9-Octadecenoate (Z)- methyl ester (12.58%); Methyl stearate (14.40%); E,E-3,13-Octadecadien-1-ol (4.54%); Oxiraneoctanoic acid, Octyl -,methyl ester (3.88%); Eicosanoic methyl ester (7.33% ); Docosanoic acid, methyl ester (8.15%); Tetracosanoic acid, methyl ester (3.13%). The antibacterial showed a high inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli (17mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16mm), Bacillus subtilis (15mm), moderate against Bacillus subtilis (14mm) and inactive against Candida albicans. In conclusion, the Essential Oil from Boswellia sacra Seeds a good source of natural antibacterial, and justify its uses in folkloric medicines.
Pages: 191-196
Contamination of Dioxins in Nigerian Inland Waters: A Review
Authors : Davies O. A. ; Amachree D. ; Kpikpi P. B.
Abstract:The rise of anthropogenic activities in Nigeria has contributed greatly to dioxin emission, where the aquatic environment remains the ultimate environmental sink to all pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDDs). Thus, this paper reviewed the various impacts of dioxin in the water, sediment and organisms in inland waters. Literatures of relevant and previous studies on dioxins in the water, sediment and organisms within and outside Nigeria were reviewed. The impacts of dioxin place human health at risk; dioxin causes endocrine disruption, decreases fertility in shellfish, finfishes and mammals, decreases hatching success in fish, decreases offspring survival, alteration of immune and behavioral function in birds and mammals in the aquatic environment. Dioxins have been observed to cause different effect on the body of aquatic organism base on the concentration level in the aquatic environment. The ultimate impact of dioxins is biomagnification and it result in destruction of man on consumption of aquatic resources such as fish. Therefore, efforts should be made to reduce dioxins entrance in the aquatic environment. replace hydrocarbon product engines with the following; solar energy, biogas, wind energy and water energy sources, replace chlorinated compound with other compound that will function to reduce environmental risk, ban vehicles with smoke. Also, anthropogenic activities that release dioxins into the aquatic environment should be under surveillance.
Pages: 183-190
Design Charts and Design Equations for Trapezoidal Earthen Open Channels
Authors : Alaa Nabil El-Hazek
Abstract:Earthen trapezoidal open channels are widely used for various essential purposes. Easy and accurate design is necessary to obtain the dimensions that assure non-silting non-scouring water velocity to maintain these channels. In this paper, employing the Manning equation, design charts are established for each of the common equations of non-silting non-scouring water velocity. For each equation, relating water depth and bed width, three design charts are presented for different side slopes. Every design chart includes a direct relation between the discharge and the water depth for various longitudinal channel slopes. Knowing the discharge and the longitudinal slope, the water depth is obtained immediately from the design chart. Substituting in the velocity equation, the bed width is determined. From the established design charts, it is found that at each specific water depth, the relation between the discharge and the longitudinal slope is proportional for drains and is inversely proportional for canals. Regression analyses are employed to obtain design equations to find the water depth, which maintains non-silting non-scouring water velocity, for different types of soils and longitudinal channel slopes. For each longitudinal slope, a regression analysis is applied, and a design equation is obtained. All the obtained equations are integrated into only two general design equations for trapezoidal earthen open channels, which assure non-silting non-scouring water velocity and have coefficients of determination of almost 1.00. The developed design charts and equations are applied to a main canal in Egypt obtaining very accurate results.
Pages: 166-182
Effect of Temperature on Dynamic Viscosity, Density and Flow Rate of Coconut Oil
Authors : Davies R. M. ; Okoriko G. P.
Abstract:This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between extraction techniques and the oil yield of coconut. Relationship between temperature, dynamic viscosity and flow rate of the extracted oils was determined. Coconut oil Three oil extraction techniques were used namely; solvent extraction (SE), wet mill cold extraction (WMCE) and wet mill hot extraction (WMHE) SE had the highest oil recovery (79.52%). There was no significant difference between the yield of oil from wet mill cold extraction (45.13%) and wet mill hot extraction (42.19%). The dynamic viscosities of the oils extracted from the different techniques were determined at different temperatures (30°C-100°C) and shear rates (6rpm, 12rpm, 30rpm and 60rpm) using NDJ-5S viscometer. The result of analysis of variance showed that the interaction between temperature, dynamic viscosity at different shear rate of the coconut oil was significant (P<0.05). The mean flow rate of coconut oil extracted from the different extraction techniques at different temperatures of 30°C to 100°C ranged from 3.50 ml/s to 6.61 ml/s, 4.16 ml/s to 6.81 ml/s and 3.95 ml/s to 6.64 ml/s for WMCE, WMHE and SE respectively. The correlation between temperature and dynamic viscosity of the extracted oils showed negative non-linear relationship. A positive non-linear relationship was observed between oil flow rate and temperature.
Pages: 159-165
Buffering Efficiency of Phytoplankton on Acidic Borehole Water for Fish Production in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors : Davies O. A. ; Kpikpi P. B. ; London D. A.
Abstract:Low water pH has been a major problem affecting growth and profitability of aquaculture in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. In recent times, organic agriculture is being advocated for safe and healthy food thus alternative buffer agent is necessary to combat this challenge in order to boost fish production. Based on this, a study was conductedat the Aquaculture Centre of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to determine buffering efficiency of phytoplankton on pH and other water quality parameters. Fifteen (15), 18-litre shaded plastic tanks (3/4- filled, pH 4.48) of three replicates per treatment of 0litre (T0), 1 litre (T1), 2 litres (T2), 3 litres (T3) and 4 litres (T4) of green water containing phytoplankton were used. These tanks were screened with plastic net to keep off mosquitoes and other unwanted objects throughout the study. Dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, alkalinity and ammonium of water were measured once daily (morning) for 25 days using standard methods. Phytoplankton were analysed microscopically and its density was calculated following standard method. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel.Some photosynthetic species in families of Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Eugleneophyceae, Pyrrophyceae and Xanthophyceaewere observed. These might be responsible for the recorded pH values. pH values ranged between 4.76 (T0) and 6.10 (T4) within five days though not within the acceptable range (6.0-9.0) for fish production except T4. This study therefore recommends the use of at least 4 litres of green water containing phytoplankton as organic source of buffer for treatment of 14 litres of acidic water for minimum of five days for aquaculture.It is free of cost and safe for fish production and human consumption.
Pages: 150-158