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.

Enhanced Biodegradation and Release Pattern of Heavy Metal from Spent Laptop Batteries using Pseudomonas and Bacillus Species in Freshwater

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate Enhanced-Biodegradation and Release Pattern of Heavy Metal from Spent Laptop Batteries using Pseudomonas and Bacillus species in Freshwater Study Design: The study employs experimental design, statistical analysis of the data and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: Freshwater was collected from Isiokpo River, Isiokpo town in Ikwerre L.G.A, Rivers state, Nigeria within co-ordinates 5 02’14’’N and 6 54’50’’E, These samples were transported with ice pack to the Microbiology Laboratory of the Rivers State University, for analyses within 6 hours. Spent laptop batteries were obtained from Ogbunabali Laptops Shoping Complex Garrison area of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Three sets of the brand of battery (HP, Dell and Acer). Methodology: A total of twelve (12) experimental set-up with three controls (each of the three laptop batteries in freshwater without augmenting organisms) while the other nine were enhanced with augmenting microbes. In step 1, Stock toxicant solution was prepared by soaking the spent Laptop batteries ( of average weight of 300-400g, in two (2) liters of sterilized freshwater in a Original Research Article Nrior and Nlem; SAJRM, 9(2): 31-49, 2021; Article no.SAJRM.67350 32 sterile trough with vented top for aeration, of dimension 12 x 7.5 x 6cm separately for each set-up, The soaking (Toxicant preparation) lasted for 3 months (about 92 days). In step 2, Five hundred milliliters (500ml) of each set-up was transferred into sterile Conical flask plugged with cotton wool perforated for aeration; each was inoculated with five milliliter (5 ml) of the test organisms (Pseudomonas and Bacillus species broth, singly and consortium) separately and monitored for duration 0, 30, 60 and 90 days respectively using the spread plate techniques. The bacterial cultures were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours while fungal cultures were incubated for three (3) days at 35°C. Parameters monitored were Heavy metal (Lithium, Cadmium, Chromium, iron and Lead) concentration, Total Heterotrophic Bacteria, Total Heterotrophic Fungi, Lithium Utilizing Bacteria, Cadmium Utilizing Bacteria, Chromium Utilizing Bacteria, Iron Utilizing Bacteria, Lead Utilizing Bacteria, Lithium Utilizing Fungi, Cadmium Utilizing Fungi, Chromium Utilizing Fungi, Iron Utilizing Fungi, Lead Utilizing Fungi. Results: Enhanced biodegradation and release pattern of heavy metal from spent laptop batteries using Pseudomonas and Bacillus species in freshwater was evaluated and the concentration of heavy metals (Lithium, Cadmium, Chromium, iron and Lead) found associated with the spent laptop batteries (HP, Dell and Acer) were increasing simultaneously with time in all set-ups from day 1 to day 90. The control (without augmenting microbes) has the highest concentration of heavy metals from day 1 to 90 followed by set-ups augmented with Bacillus specie followed by set-ups augmented with Pseudomonas specie, least in set-ups augmented with the consortium of the 2 isolates. The changes in concentration of heavy metals during biodegradation of which Cd < Cr < Li < Fe < Pb respectively, for all spent laptop batteries used in this study. Percentage (%) degradation potential of the consortium of Bacillus species and Pseudomonas species for Li-HP, Li-Dell, and Li-Acer shows a higher percentage (%) release of 22.68%, 37.63% and 24.22% respectively as compared to the individual strains of for Bacillus species and Pseudomonas species. With Pseudomonas species having 10.03%, 18.65%, and 11.24%, followed by Bacillus species having 8.46%, 12.49%, and 7.20% for Li-HP, Li-Dell, and Li-Acer respectively. Conclusion: The study identifies the degradability potential of Bacillus and Pseudomonas species to degrade spent laptop battery in freshwater. it shows that the consortium was able to degrade the batteries better than the individual strains. It is recommended that spent laptop batteries discharged into aquatic environment should be enhanced with broth culture of eco-friendly species of Pseudomonas and Bacillus for quick degradation.

Hybrid seed production in cassava (manihot esculenta crantz) after natural and artificialpollination in a humid agroecological zone

Abstract: An effective pollination system is an important pre-requisite for successful hybridization in any breeding programme. A field experiment was conducted between March 1998 and March 1999 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt in a humid agroecological zone of Nigeria, to evaluate ten selected cassava clones for hybrid seed production efficiency after natural and artificial pollination. The time to 50% flowering and the number of pistillate and staminate flowers showed significant variation (P=0.05) in the study. More staminate than pistillate flowers were produced in all clones, at a ratio of 8:1= staminate: pistillate per clone. Hybrid seed production was significantly different (P=0.05) in the ten selected clones of cassava after natural and artificial pollination. Natural pollination was more effective as regards the rate of seed set (26.9 seeds on 0.056 ha-1, equivalent to 480.9 seeds ha-1) than artificial pollination, which produced 8.8...

An investigation into public perception and knowledge of science and technology in Nigeria

Abstract: The study examined the perception and knowledge of two hundred and five adults from Port Harcourt metropolis in Rivers State on some issues related to science and technlogy. A questionnaire on public perception and knowledge of science and technology was the main data collecting instrument. Overall findings of the study showed; (1) that some adults are not well informed about science and technology; (2) major differences among respondents on the basis of gender; (3) lack of knowledge by adults on aspects of elementary science. These findings and implications for science and technological literacy were discussed.

Size Dependence of Energy Required for Cassava Grating

Abstract: An investigation was conducted into the energy required for grating cassava tubers of varying sizes. The tuberous roots of cassava that naturally occur in lengths of between 15 and 100 cm were cut and separated into groups of five different sizes (343.2mm, 228.8mm, 171.6mm, 85.8mm and 42.9mm). Equal masses of 10kg of these size categories were respectively grated down to a particle size of 1.5mm, with a grating machine powered by a 5.4hp diesel engine. A tachometer was used to measure the speed of rotation of the engine during the operation, from where the power transmitted to the grater was computed. It was found that the size of the cassava affected the speed of the engine in an inverse proportionality relationship; and the reducing sizes resulted in reduced times and energies required for the operation. The experimental values were related to the already known laws of comminution, using Kick and Bond’s formulae. Models were formulated for the various relationships using Microsoft Chart Editor. It was discovered that, although the energy values estimated using the laws were higher than experimental values, the values obtained using Kick’s law were a better approximation. On the overall, this study showed that the smaller the size reduction ratio, by a reduction of the feed size of cassava before grating, the lesser the energy that would be expended during the grating operation.

Co-Operative Societies and Poverty Reduction Among Members for Community Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: The paper examined how cooperative societies operating in Rivers State have been carrying out poverty reduction activities among their members so as to help them contribute to community development. The study answered three research questions. The population of this study comprised 2,355 members of twenty one (21) registered cooperative societies whose activities cover thrift and loan, and thrift and credit facilities. Stratified random sampling technique was used to sample 1,103 representing 50% of the members of the twenty one (21) thrift loan and credit cooperative societies which were used for the study. Through the study, authors established that cooperative societies in the area of study have been empowering their members through their poverty reduction activities. However, factors such as Lack of capital and corruption among the heads of cooperative societies in the State have been militating against the effectiveness of the cooperative poverty reduction activities. Therefore, in order to sustain the cooperative poverty reduction activities, cooperators need cooperative education.