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.

Incidence of Alarming Microbial Pathogens over Refuse Dump Sites and Its ‘Harmful Distance’ in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria

Abstract: Aim: Microbial air quality over illegal refuse dump sites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was conducted to assess the aero-microbial contaminant of dumpsite to the closest neighbourhood and the harmful distance. Place and Duration of Study: The dump sites were located at oil mill market (Latitude 4.8578 N4°51'28.06344'' Longitude 7.06653 E7°3'59.50152'') and Iloabuchi Timber market (longitude N4.790191, latitude E6.988416) all in Port Harcourt, South South Nigeria. The samplings were carried out between June (dry season) and July (wet season) 2018. Methodology: The microbial concentration of air around the dump sites were measured using the “sedimentation method” that involved exposing different sterile Petri dishes containing nutrient agar, Mac Conkey agar, and sabauroud dextrose agar to the air for ten minutes. The exposures were carried out at different locations within and around the dump site viz; Top of the dumpsite at different altitude (3ft, 6ft and 9ft above dump surface), 0m, 10m away from the dumpsite, and at the nearest neighbourhood which is about 100m away from the dumpsite. These samplings were carried out to the left and right sides of the dump sites. The samplings were carried out between June and July 2018, so as to compare the microbial load between the dry and wet seasons. Result: The microbes at the dump sites were in most cases higher than the microbes at the neighbourhood (100m away to the left and right). Seasonal occurrence revealed that microbial load in air during the dry season (6.037±0.92 cfu/min-m2) is higher than during the wet season (1.814±0.19 CFU/min-m2). Percentage variation amongst heterotrophic bacterial isolates revealed, Staphylococcus massiliensis (47.90%) > Erwinia psidii (18.24%) > Shigella dysenteriae (18.17%) > Bacillus simplex (6.08%) > Saminicoccus kunminingensis (3.23%) > Corynebacteriun afermentans (3.00%) > Paenibacillus celluositrophycus (2.25%) > Streptococcus parasuis (5.26%); percentage variation amongst enteric bacterial isolates revealed, Staphylococcus aureus (28.57%) > Geobacillus stearothermophilus (20.82%) > Escherichia coli (8.16%) and Bacillus carboniphilus (8.16) > Salmonella enterica (6.94%) > Bacillus smithii (6.12%) > Macrococcus brunensis (4.49%) > Lactobacillus kitasatonis (3.67%) > Klebsiella pneumonia (2.86%) > Staphylococcus saccharolyticus (2.45%) > Bacillus badius (2.04%) = Paenibacillus lautus (2.04%) > Brevibacillus laterosporus (1.63%). The fungal distribution revealed, Aspergillus fumigatus (16.62%) > Microsporium canis (15.40%) > Aspergillus flavus (14.75%) > Aspergillus niger (10.99%) > Conidiobolus coronatus (10.19%) > Pheaocremonium parasiticum (6.97%) > Fusarium chlamydosporium (6.70%) > Trychophyton etriotrephon (5.63%) > Trychophyton quinckeanum (4.02%) > Lichtheeimia corymbifera (3.57%) > Cladosporium cladosporioides (2.95%) > Saccharomyces spp (2.68]%). Conclusion: The presence of microbial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enterica and Aspergillus species, is alarming and of great health concern. The harmful distance exceeds 100m away from the dump site which encroached 30 meters into residential areas. This research work revealed the relevance of Environmental air monitoring in any Governmental Waste Management System and the potential hazard of open dump system of waste disposal around residential area.

Spatial and temporal patterns of coastal erosion in the niger delta

Abstract: The coastline of the Niger Delta, which stretches some 395 km, consists largely of erodible barrier islands comprising sediments at different levels of densification and consolidation. Both long-term and short-term forces are exerted on the coastline leading to substantial temporal and spatial shifts in its configuration. By overlaying satellite imageries from Landsat TM, of two epochs (1963 and 1989/90), it was shown that large sections, up to 75% of the coastline are either eroding or accreting, with only about 25% of the entire length in relatively stable conditions. Anthropogenic activities which have influenced discharge and sediment transport, such as canals, river bed dredging, harbour protection works and impoundment in upstream dams and reservoirs are implicated as major causes of accelerated coastal erosion. KEY WORDS: Coastline, Erosion, Sedimentation, Niger Delta Global Jnl Geological Sciences . Vol.2(1) 2004: 79-90

Influence of Traditional Beliefs on Agricultural Activities of Women in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State

Abstract: The study investigated the traditional beliefs in Ogbia, and how they influence the agricultural activities of women in the area. It determined the nature and forms of these traditional beliefs, and their influence on the women involved in agriculture. A sample of 200 women were randomly selected from ten communities . The instrument for data collection was a 24 item questionnaire, titled, the influence of traditional beliefs on agricultural activities of women in Ogbia, its face validity was done by two experts in the field of community development, while a reliability coefficient of 0.75 was established using Cronbach Alpha test. 200 copies of it, were distributed to elicit responses from the respondents, while 187 copies were received and used for data analysis, using percentage and mean. The study, revealed that. Ogbia women are very religious: 85.03% and 14.97% are Christians and traditional worshipers respectively. It discovered that most women are into farming mainly to feed the family. It was also found that, traditional beliefs in Ogbia, prevent women from growing certain crops ,fishing in “certain” lakes, processing of some crops , farming on days regarded as sacred and taking part in some farm activities like land preparation. . The study revealed a significant negative relationship between traditional beliefs and agricultural activities of women. It was recommended that women’s access to production resources such as land, credit and appropriate technologies, be improved so as to enhance their capacity in food production among others.

Assessment of Ovarian Integrity, Reproductive Hormones, and Oxidative Stress in Albino Rats Exposed to Tartrazine Azo Dye

Abstract: Aim: To assess the effect of tartrazine at ADI doses on ovarian integrity (the weight and histology of the ovary), reproductive fertility hormones (luteinizing hormones (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL)) and oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) over a period of 30 and 60 days in albino rats. Study Design: A total of 63 female rats weighing approximately 0.2kg were divided into two phases. In phase 1 (30 days treatment period), the rats were divided into 2 groups designated tartrazine treated group (TTG1) consisting of 20 rats and control untreated group (CUG1) consisting of 15 rats. In phase 2 (60 days treatment period), the rats were again divided into 2 groups – tartrazine treated group (TTG2) consisting of 16 rats and control untreated group (CUG2) consisting of 12 rats. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7.5mg/kg of the dye was administered orally while the control groups were given food and water only. Methodology: At the end of the study, the animals were anaesthetized and 5 mL of whole blood samples was collected by means of cardiac puncture into plain bottles, later spun at 4000 rpm for 5 Original Research Article Elekima et al.; AJBGMB, 5(4): 9-19, 2020; Article no.AJBGMB.61041 10 minutes to obtain serum. The laboratory analysis of LH, FSH and PRL as well as GPX and SOD activity were based on Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Technique using rat-specific kits. Ovarian tissues collected were weighed using electronic balance, washed in normal saline, fixed in 10% formalin saline, embedded in paraffin wax, 5μm thick sections were obtained by rotary microtome, stained using Haematoxylin & Eosin and examined using digital Olympus microscopic. Results: Non-significant higher values in the absolute weight of the ovary (WOV), FSH, LH, and PRL while non-significant lower values in GPX and SOD were observed in the treated rats against control rats over a period of 30 and 60 days at P=.05. The histological examination over a period of 30 days did not indicate any alteration but hydropic dilation and structural alterations were seen after 60 days. Conclusion: The administration of ADI doses of tartrazine over a period of 60 days affected the integrity of the ovary mildly as observed in the histology but did not markly reflect on the biochemical markers in the plasma as well as the weight of the ovary.

Proper Energy Mix: A Solution to Stable Power Supply in Nigeria

Abstract: Nigeria is a country blessed with abundant sources of energy. The choice of energy for electricity generation in an area has always been influenced by political motives that the proper choice of energy type and the economic advantages are not considered. Due to these wrong foundations the stable power supply has been seen in Nigeria as an impossible target. The paper therefore is aimed at considering the available sources of energy in Nigeria and to suggest the best energy mix that will make this dream a reality. For this reason studies were carried out in some parts of the world as regards to: (i) The sources of energy available, (ii) The energy mix, (iii) The generating sources and the available energy. From the study it was seen that Nigeria primary energy resources are in excess of its domestic electric energy requirements that it should not experience electricity supply inadequacies. One of the solutions to adequate and stable power supply is to have a proper energy mix with proper load projection and good management system. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n13p93