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.

Non-equilibrium Interactions of a Zooplankton Community on Olero Creek, Benin River, Nigeria

Abstract: The Olero creek Zooplankton was sampled in wet season from 13 stations across a conductivity range of 150 μmhos to 8000 μmhos. The abundance of Copepods, some Cladocerans (Daphnia sp. and Ceriodaphna sp.) and Rotatoria did not vary together with conductivity in a correlation analysis. Correlation was high (p<0.05) only among the Cilliata where abundance of Opecularia sp. and Vorticella sp. were closely related to variations in conductivity values while Opisthostyla sp. exhibited marginal correlation with values of conductivity. However, among Rotatoria abundance variable for Brachionus sp., Euchlanis sp., Notholca sp. and Asplanchna sp. was not explained by variations of single variable of conductivity. The occurrence of only three genera of Cladocera, three genera of Cilliata and four genera of Rotatoria with relatively lower abundances than Copepod group recorded, suggest in this tidal creek the nonsignificance of freshwater Zooplankton. The diversity values were low ranging from 0.7 to 1.3 in addition to low evenness ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 across all stations. Copepods dominated by 92% followed by Rotatoria 3%; Cladocerans 1.2% and Cilliata 0.5%. The observed non-equilibrium in abundance of Copepods with significant low numbers of Rotatoria, Cladocerans and Cilliata suggest biological interactions that support ecological principles of a trophic cascade. The low numerical abundance of Ciliates was in sharp contrast to their ubiquity, rapid reproductive rate and capacity to survive in extreme environments, including adaption to anaerobic conditions. This fact provided surrogate information Original Research Article Onwuteaka; ARRB, 11(2): 1-16, 2016; Article no.ARRB.28945 2 of a cascade effect and intraguild competition. The observed numerical relationship within trophic levels shows that top-level consumers (copepods) were operating a top-down system driven by predation and competition. The top-down cascading of this inverse correlation in numerical density between copepods and other zooplankton should be included in directions of future research. A more appropriate basis of cross system explanation of top down trophic cascades in many natural systems is required for marine, estuaries and freshwater systems.

Studying the Depuration Time on Changes in Biomarkers Profile on Nigeria Crude Oil

Abstract: Experimental analysis was conducted to examine the hopane and sterane diagnostic ratios was evaluated for Escravos harbour mussels, The investigation covers laboratory and field studies at various time intervals as well as 5the diagnostic ratios (DR). Increase in diagnostic ratio was observed for 27Ts, 28ab and 29Ts with increases in time whereas increase and decrease in the characteristics of hopane and sterane was observed on 30G, 29ab, 30d, bs, 29aas and 29bb for laboratory analysis results. In terms of the field studies only bs increases whereas 27Ts, 28ab, 29Ts, 30G, 29ab, 30d, 29aas and 29bb either increase or decrease. These variations can be attributed to the chemical composition of the samples as well as the sampling time for the various diagnostic ratios of Escravos harbour mussels. The relationship between biomarker DRs of Escravos harbour mussels were simulated with increase in time using 95% confidence interval and the results obtained illustrates the significant of correlation between biomarker DRs of Escravos harbour mussels per unit time.

Investigation of Groundwater Contamination from Septic Tank Siting in Umungasi/Abayi, Abia State

Abstract: The investigation of groundwater contamination from septic tank siting was done in Umungasi/Abayi, Abia State. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of siting septic systems on the quality of groundwater in Umungasi, Abayi, Aba. Twenty (20) water samples were randomly collected from boreholes located less than 30 m away from septic systems in Umungasi, Abayi Aba, Nigeria to determine their physico-chemical and heavy metals characteristics. While three (3) water samples at distances ranging from 60 m from the nearest septic system were sampled for analyses as controls. Standard analytical techniques were employed in the investigation. The result showed that most of the physicochemical parameters analysed in the borehole water samples were within the WHO/SON/NAFDAC recommended limits except for pH in BH4 and BH7 which had values of 6.3 respectively and were not within the WHO/SON/NAFDAC standard limit of 6.5-8.5. Some of the heavy metals analysed during the period of study were within the permissible limits except for iron in BH5 (0.443 mg/L), BH7 (0.367 mg/L), BH8 (0.511 mg/L), BH9 (0.31 mg/L), BH15 (0.41 mg/L), BH16 (0.327 mg/L), BH17 (0.337 mg/L) and BH18 (0.315 Original Research Article Nkem et al.; AJB2T, 6(4): 41-48, 2020; Article no.AJB2T.64094 42 mg/L) that were above the permissible limits of WHO standards of 0.3 mg/l. There was no influence of septic tank siting to the boreholes on groundwater quality during the period of study even though the distance of septic tanks from boreholes in the areas investigated did not conform with that recommended by WHO of 30 – 40 m. The contamination is from the general unhygienic condition of the environment.

Influence of Age Category and Malaria Type on Some Haematological, VWF, ADAMTS13, L-arg, D2D, FBG, FVIII and Coagulatory Parameters of Malaria Infected Paediatric Subjects in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of age category and malaria type on haematological and haemostatic parameters in malaria infected children resident in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria, between the month of March and August 2020. Methodology: A total of 822 pediatrics (0-16 years), were randomly selected for this study after due parental consent. 5ml of venous blood was collected from each subject: 1ml was dispensed into paediatric EDTA (for haematologic and parasite density) and 4ml into sodium citrate bottle for L-arginine assay by ELISA-method, while Full blood count was determined using haematological Original Research Article Akwuebu et al.; IJR2H, 4(1): 42-52, 2021; Article no.IJR2H.67295 43 auto-analyser, Mindray BC-6800. Malaria density was determined by microscopic method using thick and thin Giemsa stained blood smears. Level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The results showed that there were significant (p<.001) decreased in WBC & NEU in neonate and adolescent and increased in children when compared with the control subjects of uncomplicated and complicated malaria. EOS was observed to have a significant (p< 0.0065) increased in the age categories; (neonates, children and adolescent) however complicated malaria subjects were observed to have a significant (p<.05) decreased EOS when compared with the uncomplicated malaria. In addition, there was no significant (p>0.05) different in the mean PT, PTT, INR, ADAMT13, and FViii in the three age categories. However, FBG, VWF and D2D were observed to be significantly (p<.05), (p<.05), (p<.001) increased in the age categories being highest in children. Conclusion: In conclusion, haematological parameters decreased as malaria got complicated in neonates, increased in children, while haemostatic parameters such as VWF, FBG and D2D increased in the three age categories being highest in children.

Moringa extract: effect of functional parameters on bioremediation concept on crude oil contaminated soil environment

Abstract: The effect of functional parameters on bioremediation of crude oil degradation was investigated upon the influence of nutrient content, nitrogen and phosphates concentration extracted from the moringa leaf. The investigation was conducted by polluting soil environment set-up in a batch reactors and different concentration of moringa functional parameters of nutrient content, nitrogen and phosphate concentration values were introduced into the various batch reactor set-ups. Results obtained reveals increase in microbial concentration with increase in nutrient content, nitrogen and phosphate concentration, indicating the usefulness of moringa tree in enhancing bioremediation of polluted environment. Therefore, moringa extract as presented in this research work can use to activate or stimulate biochemical reaction to improve or facilitate remediation of contaminated environment both water or land as well as underground water.