Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Dynamics of nodulation, nitrogen fixation, nitrogen use and biomass yield over time in pot-grown Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit

Abstract: The dynamics of nodulation, N2-fixation and N use in Leucaena leucocephala cv. K28 over time was investigated in a screenhouse at 4, 8, 12 and 16 months after planting (MAP) using the 15N-labelling method. Leucaena had a consistently increasing pattern of nodulation, dry biomass and nitrogen yield. A sharp rise in nodulation was observed between 12 and 16 MAP, whereas for biomass, N accumulation and N2-fixation, and N2-fixation, an upward surge occurred between 4 and 12 months. Nodulation, N accumulation, N2-fixation and biomass yield all peaked at 16 MAP. Along with the steady increase in N2-fixation throughout the 16-month growth period, the % N derived from the atmosphere rose from 17.9% to 61.5%, 70.1% and 74%, equivalent to 191, 1623, 2395 and 3385 mg N2 fixed plant-1 at 4, 8, 12 and 16 MAP, respectively. Nitrogen assimilation from soil and fertilizer decreased inversely to the increase in symbiotic nitrogen fixation with time.

Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Combs and Brushes in Beauty Salons within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Beauty salons may provide a suitable medium for the growth and transfer of pathogenic microorganisms which may be of public health significance. This study was aimed at investigating the microbial contamination of beauty salon tools within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Nutrient agar was used for the determination of total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts and Potato dextrose agar was used for the determination of total spore counts. Bacterial isolates were subjected to different biochemical tests while the fungal cultures were identified by macroscopy and microscopy. Results revealed bacterial load obtained from combs and brushes across the three campuses studied ranged from 6.3x105 to 2.8x106 CFU/swab area and 5.8x105 to 1.8x106 CFU/swab area respectively. Total spore counts obtained from combs and brushes across the three campuses ranged from1.8x105 to 1.0x106 CFU/swab area and 4.2x105 to 9.3x105CFU/swab area respectively. The bacterial isolates obtained from the salon tools include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp.,Serratia spp.,Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Shigella spp., while the fungal isolates include Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp., Tricophyton spp. and Microsporium spp. Staphylococcus aureus (27.7%) and Bacillus spp.(22.2%) were the predominant bacterial isolates in the study while Aspergillus flavus (36.3%) and Penicillium spp.(27.3%) were the most occurring fungi. The study showed that fomites used in beauty salons harbour significantly high microbial load including microorganisms of possible public health significance.

Microbiology and Heavy Metal Content of Wetlands Impacted by Crude Oil Pollution in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria

Abstract: Wetland soils constitute vast, under-exploited and sometimes undiscovered ecologies in many countries of the World, including Nigeria. A total of 54 wetland soil samples including surface and subsurface soil at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm were collected using a sterile hand auger for a period of three months between August and October and subjected to standard and analytical microbiological procedures. The wetland soil samples were further subjected to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to check for presence and concentration of heavy metals. Results obtained showed that apart from heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts, hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) counts were higher in the surface soil ranging from 12.06±3.43X10 cfu/g at Iwofe to 6.19±2.67 a X10 7 cfu/g at Chokocho while subsurface soil had HUB ranging from 8.91±6.67 a X10 3 cfu/g at Eagle Island to 4.93±3.95X10cfu/g at Chokocho. Heavy metals such as Fe, Pb, Cd and Ni were recorded in concentrations above FEPA permissible limit in the surface and subsurface soil across the three wetlands. The heavy metal concentration in each wetland however, decreased with an increase in soil depth. According to literatures, elevated levels of heavy metals in soils decrease Original Research Article Chibuike et al.; MRJI, 31(2): 53-63, 2021; Article no.MRJI.66612 54 microbial population, diversity and activities. However, the microbial population in this study increased with increasing heavy metal concentration which indicates that the microbes can tolerate or utilize heavy metals in their systems; as such can be used for bioremediation of heavy metal polluted soils.

Rediscovery of the Nubian Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans) in South Sudan

Abstract: The Nubian flapshell turtle, Cyclanorbis elegans, is one of the rarest turtle species in the world and has even been considered as possibly extinct because no free-ranging individuals have...