University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Does a dipole mode really exist in the South Atlantic Ocean

Abstract: [1] This study investigates the existence of a dipole mode in the sea surface temperatures (SST) over the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO), using observational and reanalysis data sets from 1950 to 2008. Our results demonstrate that an opposite SST mode, the SAO dipole (SAOD) occurs in the SAO as the anomalous surface waters in the northeastern part; that is, the Atlantic Nino sector and the southwestern part off the Argentina-Uruguay-Brazil coast are consistently anticorrelated in all months. A typical SAOD episode has a life cycle of about eight months, although the peak intensity in which the SST anomalies are evidently coupled to atmospheric circulation and precipitation anomaly fields lasts for four months during the austral winter (May–August). This coupled atmosphere-ocean interaction mechanism appears to be unique, distinct from the classical Atlantic Nino and independent of the direct influence of the Pacific Ocean-based El Nino or global SST variability. The SAOD may provide a useful framework for investigating climate variability and for improved predictions especially over parts of Africa and the Americas, and some preliminary results are already indicated, e.g., the SAOD is widely related to precipitation anomalies in these regions particularly during the austral winter.

Analysis of scavengers' activities and recycling in some cities of Nigeria.

Abstract: The state of solid waste recycling by scavengers in Onitsha, a heavily commercial city in Anambra State, and some other urban areas such as Nsukka, Enugu, and Port Harcourt was analyzed. Data were obtained through interviews of scavengers who deal with recyclables. Although the activities of scavengers are sub-optimal, they can have a great impact on Nigerian economy with respect to resource conservation, creation of job opportunities, and reduction of the magnitude of waste disposal problems. A cost analysis is presented to compare the different forms of recycling utilized by municipal solid waste management. It is shown that a well-planned recycling program with recycling and composting would result in 18.6% savings in waste management costs and 57.7% in landfill avoidance costs. However, if the compost materials are not recycled, the corresponding savings in cost become 8.6% and 28.6%, respectively. The option with the lowest cost involves encouraging individual households to separate at the source their recyclables, which are bought by scavengers. This results in 78.0% savings in waste management cost and 79.5% landfill avoidance cost. A low-cost approach aimed at the integration of scavenging activities into conventional solid waste management is presented.

Water quality appraisal of selected farm provinces using integrated hydrogeochemical, multivariate statistical, and microbiological technique

Abstract: With increasing use of agrochemicals, inorganic and organic fertilizers in the selected rural farm provinces in Nigeria, the need to assess the quality of their water resources for various purposes became compelling. This research, therefore, investigated the quality and geochemistry of groundwaters and surface waters in the area using integrated physicochemical, hydrogeochemical, multivariate statistical and microbiological approach. Most values from physicochemical analysis were generally below maximum allowable limits. However, some samples are contaminated, with some obtained parameter values beyond allowable limits. The pH, NO3, NO2, PO4, K, and Mn values ranged from 4.1 to 6.9, 0–33 mg/l, 0–0.08 mg/l, 0–19.91 mg/l, 0–7.92 mg/l and 0–0.07 mg/l, respectively. Based on pH, many of the samples are slightly acidic. The dominant water type is Ca-HCO3, with few Ca-Cl types. Hydrogeochemical investigations further showed that the supply of major ions in the waters and the geochemical evolution are mainly controlled by rock–water interactions, silicate weathering and ionic exchanges. However, multivariate statistical analyses showed that the variations in chemistry and quality of the waters are due to combined influences of geogenic processes and human activities. Microbial analysis revealed that many samples are contaminated with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Shigella and Staphylococcus species. Treatment of contaminated water before use is, therefore, advised.