Showing papers by "Cross River University of Technology published in 2022"

The Influence of Cassava Mill Effluents on Soil Microbial Community in Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract: The influence of cassava mill effluent on the microbial community of the soil was determined using viable counts method. Soil samples were collected from different sites (Locations A, B, C and D) impacted with cassava mill effluent, and also from sites unimpacted with cassava mill effluent, which served as control. The result of analysis of the impacted soil showed that the counts of Total Heterotrophic Bacteria, Total Coliforms and Total Fungi ranged from 2.0x103 CFU/ml to 2.3x104 CFU/ml, 1.9x102 CFU/ml to 1.5x104 CFU/ml and 1.4x102 CFU/ml to 2.2x102 CFU/ml respectively. These values were lower compared to the values (3.4x105 CFU/g to 3.6x106 CFU/g, 2.1x106 CFU/g to 3.3x106 CFU/g and 2.1x104 CFU/g to 3.0x104 CFU/g respectively) obtained from the unimpacted soils (control). The identification process of the isolates revealed the presence of the following bacteria; Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp. The fungal isolates from the effluents were identified to be Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus spp. and Mucor spp. The results obtained indicates that effluents from cassava mill effluent have a great impact on the microbial population of the soil. Since its application causes change that affects the microbial population and diversity, its continuous disposal could lead to decreased soil fertility and consequent low crop yield. Therefore, cassava mill effluents should be subjected to treatments that reduces their harmful substance content before disposal.

Microalgae (Selenastrum Capricornutum) Growth Inhibition Following Exposure to Pond Water: Monitoring Pond Toxicity

Abstract: Abstract Bio-indicators are organisms, such as bacteria, that can be used to determine the state of health and biogeographic change in the environment. Microalgae, for example, are used as bioindicators to assess the health of natural ecosystems such as pond water. They're utilized to evaluate the media in which a biological system operates, as well as the molecules within it. They serve as a symbol of the high quality of its surroundings. Microalgae respond quickly to changes in the environment, making them an excellent biomarker for evaluating the quality of pond and water pollutants. Fish are grown in a fixed pool of water known as a pond, with old water being replaced every five days or more. For the duration of the investigation, hazardous metabolites in the pond water were examined for the beginning or build-up of harmful metabolites. The Algaltoxkit approach was used for five days. Selanastrum capricornutum, a microalgae, was grown as a bio-indicator of pond toxicity. The pond water was collected without dilution from day one to day five. The microalgae test was conducted for 72 hours, with minor deviations from ISO guideline 8692. Microalgae growth inhibition varied among the days monitored, according to the results, findings imply that pond water poisoning begins on day 2-5. This finding shows that hazardous compounds in the pond water at day 5 may be affecting the fish's ability to grow and develop normally. The Algaltoxkit kit could also be a useful, quick test instrument for detecting the beginning of hazardous metabolites in a fish pond.