scholarly journals Iko River estuary: Oil exploration and the microbial community shift

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 025-032
Author(s):  
Augustine A. Unimke ◽  
Abiye A. Ibiene ◽  
Phillip O. Okerentugba

The continuous input of petroleum-based and other industrial pollutants along with heightened navigational activities in the inland and coastal waters of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has contributed tremendously towards petroleum pollution of the aquatic environment. Standard analytical methods were employed in sample collection and analysis. The results showed the mean values of Total Heterotrophic Bacteria [THB] for tidal water 1.44±0.20 (x107), 1.42±0.62 (x107)and 1.82±0.61 (x107)for upstream, midstream and downstream respectively, while the mean values for CUB 1.06±0.12 (x106), 1.30±0.54 (x106) and 1.28±0.46 (x106) for upstream, midstream and downstream respectively. Similarly, the mean values for Total Fungi (TF) and Crude oil-Utilizing Fungi (CUF) were 1.08±0.12 (x106), 1.12±0.21 (x106), 1.18±0.20 (x106) and 8.2±0.78 (x104), 9.2±0.20 (x104), 8.8±0.26 (x104) for upstream, midstream and downstream respectively. For intertidal water, the mean values obtained for upstream, midstream and downstream were 1.24±0.82 (x107), 1.77±0.57 (x107) and 1.40±0.32 (x107) for THB, 1.08±0.92 (x106), 1.08±0.22 (x106) and1.13±0.21 (x106) for CUB, 1.00±0.60 (x107), 1.26±0.30 (x106) and 1.11±0.18 (x106) for Total fungi [TF] and 7.2±0.81 (x104), 9.6±0.4 (x104), 9.0±0.27 (x104) for CUF). While the values for benthic sediment were 1.55±0.38 (x108), 1.68±0.32 (x108), 2.24±0.34 (x108) for THB, 1.14±0.32 (x107), 1.24±0.88 (x107), 1.48±0.90 (x107) for CUB, 1.12±0.31 (x107), 1.20±0.52 (x107), 1.40±0.16 (x107) for TF and 8.2±0.12 (x105), 6.2±0.43 (x105), 1.01±0.12 (x106) for CUF. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) in the mean values of each physicochemical parameter across the different microhabitats and stations. This result revealed the massive impacts of anthropogenic gradients on the biology and physicochemistry of Iko River estuary.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 15-33
Author(s):  
M Odigwe ◽  
S. I. Efe ◽  
A. O. Atubi

The study aimed at investigating the climate of the Niger Delta Region (NDR) of Nigeria. This is to ascertain the variations in rainfall and temperature in the Niger Delta Region. The study utilized the ex-post facto research design. The study utilized the annual rainfall and temperature time series data from 1925 – 2018 periods. That was generated from the archive of the Climate Research Unit (CRU) Ts 4.03 using Google earth. The grided points of 5ox5o high resolution of thirty-two (32) CRU Ts 4.03 stations were utilized for the study. In order to analyse the data on rainfall and temperature the descriptive statistical techniques were employed. While testing the formulated hypotheses, the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to decide the significant difference in stations, additionally the Turkey Test was utilized to decide were the difference in the mean lies, while the Mann-Kendell Trend Test was used to determine the upward and downward trends in rainfall and temperature. Thus, the study revealed that the mean distribution of rainfall and temperature in the Niger Delta region for the past ninety-four (94) years showed a downward and upward trend with a mean of 2238.3mm and 26.7oC in rainfall and temperature respectively. While, the highest and lowest rainfall (2600.7mm and 1854mm), was recorded in 1955 and 1984 which indicates an increase of 746.7mm. The highest and lowest temperature (27.4oC and 25.9oC) was recorded in 2017, 1976 and 1977 respectively which indicate a rise of 1.5oC. Furthermore, the study revealed that there is a statistically significant variation in rainfall in the Niger


Author(s):  
Ngozi Rodney Nwaogu ◽  
Vincent Weli ◽  
Mbee Daniel Mbee

Background of Study: Cult related activities such as inter and intra cult clashes have been prevalent in communities in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The clashes which are violent in nature are carried out by youths who belong to one cult group or the other. The clashes occur when members of a cult group attack members of another or other cult groups or invade a community in order to take control of an area and the proceeds accruing from crude oil exploitation and exploration by multi- national oil companies. Among the major cult groups perpetrating the violent acts include Deybam, Deywell, Iceland and Greenland. Due to the violent clashes many lives have been lost, properties destroyed, women raped, residents displaced, houses burnt and residents kidnapped/abducted. These affected socio-economic activities and livelihood means of the people.  Materials and Methods: This research analyzes the effectiveness of amnesty program as a response tool in mitigating cult related activities in Niger Delta region. Specifically, the study examines the magnitude of cult impact, relationship between frequency of cult attacks and fatalities, and examines the impact of cult activities before and after the amnesty. Adopting Cross- sectional research resign and using data chiefly collected from Nigerian Police, a total of 36 communities were purposively selected from 2 States in Niger Delta where amnesty was offered in 2016. The data were subjected to Pearson’s correlation and T-test statistical analysis. Results: Pearson’s correlation showed that there was a positive significant relationship between cult attacks and fatalities over a ten year period, with r = 0.83 at 99% probability level. The Student’s t-test showed a statistically significant difference on cult attacks before and after amnesty with t-cal of 2.55> t-tab of 2.01 at 95% probability level. The t-test also showed a statistically significant difference on cult fatalities before and after amnesty with t-cal of 2.41> t- tab of 2.01 at 95% probability level. Findings further revealed that mean values of cult attacks (3.20) and fatalities (2.70) after the amnesty were greater than mean values of cult attacks (2.13) and fatalities (1.37) before the amnesty. Conclusion: This showed that despite the amnesty, cult impact was still high in the study area and it was concluded that administration of amnesty is not an effective response tool to mitigation and containment of cult related activities in Niger Delta region, owing to its poor implementation and the desire to join cult groups by many youths who felt that joining the cult group will accord them protection and power over others. It is recommended that government should involve the local communities in designing an intervention program for youths.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-196
Author(s):  
Augustine A Unimke ◽  
Anthony A Ibiene ◽  
Phillip O Okerentugba

The contamination of the aquatic systems with heavy metals has been on the increase since the last century due to industrial activities and this has contributed greatly to the variations in the microbial community structure and function in the ecosystem. The natural and anthropogenic variations in microbiological and heavy metals analysis in Iko River estuary was analyzed using standard methods. From the result, it was observes that anthropogenic variations influence greatly the microbial proliferation as significantly (p<0.05) higher microbial levels were observed across all microhabitats (tidal water, intertidal water and benthic sediment) as well as stations (upstream – Okoro, midstream – Kampa and downstream – Emeroke). It was observed that the sediment samples produced significantly (p<0.05) higher THB counts than tidal and intertidal water samples. Similar trends were observed for CUB, TF and CUF respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean values of upstream, midstream and downstream. In all microhabitats and stations, the densities of crude oil-utilizing microorganisms were significantly (p<0.05) low compared to total heterotrophic counts. The total fungal counts were significantly (p<0.05) low compared to total heterotrophic bacteria counts. The result showed relatively higher concentrations of heavy metals in sediment than in tidal and intertidal water samples. The results indicate that the water and sediment samples show a remarkable variation in heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbon as a result of the great human activities in the estuary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-433
Author(s):  
Kenneth Chisom Gbali ◽  
Vincent Ezikornwor Weli ◽  
Prince Chinedu Mmom

The study sought to examine the Corporate Social (CSR) and management of oil related conflicts in Host Communities of the Southern States. Corporate Social Responsibility is the commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable economic development by working with employees, the local community and the society at large to improve their lives in ways that are good for business and for development. The study was guided by three research objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses. The design adopted for this study is exploratory and descriptive research design and was conducted in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State in Nigeria. The population of this study comprised of 15,245,247 residents in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State in Nigeria. The instrument for data collection was a set of structured questionnaire. Data derived from the field were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. And statistical tools such as mean and standard deviation were used to respond to the research questions, while inferential statistical tool of independent sample T-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study showed that there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of male and female respondents on the level of relationship between IOC’s and hosts Communities in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria ((P=0.738>0.05), df (400) =. -0.49273, p=0.738); there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of male and female respondents on the on CSR programs carried out by IOCs in hosts Communities in Southern Nigeria (P=.117>0.05), df (400) = -401.618, p=.117); further findings showed that there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of male and female respondents on the Factors causing conflict between oil companies and host communities in Southern, Nigeria (P=0.775>0.05), df (400) =382.256 p=0.775). Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that host communities should be integrated into the planning process, a paradigm shift from planning for to planning with the host Communities, amongst others.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-11
Author(s):  
Fábio Barbosa Souza ◽  
Fernanda Pimentel Malta ◽  
Manoela Valadares De Souza Brandão ◽  
Anna Cecília Farias Silva ◽  
Beatriz Ribeiro Ribas ◽  
...  

Introduction and objective: Contamination of the water used in health care units can induce adverse individual and collective consequences. The objective of this study was to evaluate the water quality in dental clinics of a dentistry program of a university in Brazil, calculating the total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria and pH. Materials and methods: In each clinic, water samples were collected for analysis at different points: external cistern, clinic faucet, dental chair tank and triple syringe. After sample collection, analysis was performed: the presence of total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms was determined by chromogenic substrate technique, the presence or absence of Escherichia coli by fluorescence in ultraviolet light, the count of heterotrophic bacteria through the number of colonies and the determination of pH. Results: In all studied sites, the presence of total coliforms, Escherichia coli and thermotolerant coliforms was observed in at least 26% of the samples. In relation to CFU / ml, all mean values were much higher than the maximum established by legislation (500 CFU / ml). It was verified a statistically significant difference was found in the external cistern and tap when compared to the chair tank and triple syringe (p < 0.05). All pH samples were within the standards. Conclusion: The global analysis showed that 100% of the samples were inadequate, which classified the water potability as nonstandard in regard to the current Brazilian legislation.


1966 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Lund-Johansen ◽  
T. Thorsen ◽  
K. F. Støa

ABSTRACT A comparison has been made between (A), a relatively simple method for the measurement of aldosterone secretion rate, based on paper chromatography and direct densitometry of the aldosterone spot and (B) a more elaborate isotope derivative method. The mean secretion rate in 9 normal subjects was 112 ± 26 μg per 24 hours (method A) and 135 ± 35 μg per 24 hours (method B). The »secretion rate« in one adrenalectomized subject after the intravenous injection of 250 μg of aldosterone was 230 μg per 24 hours (method A) and 294 μg per 24 hours (method B). There was no significant difference in the mean values, and correlation between the two methods was good (r = 0.80). It is concluded that the densitometric method is suitable for clinical purposes as well as research, being more rapid and less expensive than the isotope derivative method. Method A also measures the urinary excretion of the aldosterone 3-oxo-conjugate, which is of interest in many pathological conditions. The densitometric method is obviously the less sensitive and a prerequisite for its use is an aldosterone secretion of 20—30 μg per 24 hours. Lower values are, however, rare in adults.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabel Aparecida Soares ◽  
Mauro Sérgio Téo ◽  
Carlise DEBASTIANI ◽  
Suzymeire BARONI ◽  
Vanessa Silva RETUCI

O trabalho teve por objetivo verificar diferenças entre rendimento do concentrado proteico e proteína bruta da folha da mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), obtidos a partir de três variedades comerciais: branca, cascuda e vermelha. As manivas foram plantadas seguindo o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Nas comparações entre as variedades, considerou coletas escalonadas pós-plantio, realizadas aos 12, 14 e 16 meses. O concentrado proteico foi obtido a partir da farinha das folhas inteiras e submetido ao método de termo - coagulação ácido e a proteína bruta pelo método padrão AOAC. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância e comparados pelo teste de Tukey - 5% de probabilidade. Os resultados não indicaram diferença significativa entre as médias obtidas para rendimento de concentrado proteico. Para a variável porcentagem de proteína bruta a variedade Branca foi a que apresentou maior valor, com média de 46,25%, seguida pela Cascuda e Vermelha, 44,52% e 37,30%, sucessivamente. Conclui-se que outros estudos devem avaliar condições que possam influenciar no teor de proteína foliar, como clima e solo, e, avaliar os níveis de ácido cianídrico de cada variedade, indicando qual das três é a melhor para a extração do concentrado proteico das folhas. Palavras chaves: Manihot esculenta Crantz, variedades comerciais, concentrado proteico, proteína bruta. ABSTRACT: The study aimed to assess the differences between income protein concentrate, crude protein of cassava leaf (Manihot esculenta Crantz), obtained from three commercial varieties: white, red and cascuda. The cuttings were planted following the completely randomized design with three replications. Comparisons between the varieties considered after planting staggered collections, held on 12, 14 and 16 months. The protein concentrate was obtained from flour of whole sheets and subjected to the term method - acid coagulation and crude protein by AOAC standard method. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test - 5% probability. The results indicated no significant difference between the mean values obtained for protein concentrate income. For the variable percentage of crude protein White variety showed the highest, with an average of 46.25%, followed by cascuda and Red, 44.52% and 37.30%, successively. We conclude that further studies should evaluate conditions that may affect the leaf protein content, such as climate and soil, and evaluate the hydrocyanic acid levels of each variety, indicating which of the three is the best for the extraction of protein concentrate from leaves Key words: Manihot esculenta Crantz, commercial varieties, protein concentrate, crude protein.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1078.1-1079
Author(s):  
I. Yoshii

Background:Patient’s global assessment (PGA) is one important component of Boolean composite criteria for remission in treat with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, PGA no more than 10mm is sometimes obstacle to attain clinical remission. In recent few years, one opinion that PGA no more than 20mm may be comparable as no more than 10mm.Objectives:The aim of this study is to analyze how difference of these PGA level affect disease activity and daily activities in living, and evaluate which is optimal for the remission with Boolean remission criteria from real world setting.Methods:RA patients who were followed up for more than three years in the institute were picked up in the study. Each patient was monitored with tenderness joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), PGA, evaluator’s global assessment (EGA), serum C-reactive protein level (CRP), calculated disease activity score with simplified disease activity index(SDAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and pain score using visual analog scale (PS-VAS) every consulted time from the first encounter (Baseline). Patients were classified according to achievement of Boolean remission criteria. Group 1: a patient group who attained Boolean remission wih TJC≦1, SJC≦1, CRP≦1mg/dl, and PGA≦1 (G-1), Group 2: a patient group who could not attained the Boolean remission used in the G-1 evaluation, but could attained another Boolean remission with TJC≦1, SJC≦1, CRP≦1mg/dl, and PGA≦2 (G-2), and Group 3: a patient group who could not attain Boolean remission for neither criterion.Mean values of measured parameters at Baseline and after the Baseline were compared statistically with Student T-test. Mean values of the same parameters in the G-1 and G-2 at the time of attain Boolean remission for each criteria, mean values of each of these parameters thereafter, and changes of these parameters were compared statistically with Student T-test.Results:A total of 438 patients 385 in the G-1 group, 16 in the G-2 group, and 37 in the G-3 group, were recruited. In parameters at Baseline, level of TJC, SJC, PGA, EGA, SDAI, and HAQ-DI in the G-1 was significantly lower than in the G-3, whereas no significant differences in any parameters demonstrated between in the G-2 and G-3. Level of HAQ-DI, and PS-VAS after Baseline in the G-1 was lower than in the G-3, whereas no significant difference of these parameters after Baseline demonstrated between in the G-2 and G-3. TJC, SJC, PGA, and EGA demonstrated significant less level in the G-1 than in the other two groups. The mean SDAI score at the time of first achievement of Boolean remission in the G-1 and G-2 were 1.08 and 2.57, respectively. The mean value of SDAI score after remission in the G-1 and G-2 were 3.35 and 6.44, respectively. These values and PS-VAS including change of the SDAI score demonstrated significant difference between the two groups (p<0.01), whereas HAQ-DI in the two groups demonstrated no significant difference.Conclusion:These results suggested that setting PGA as no more than 10mm should be reasonable for the evaluation of clinical remission with the Boolean criteria.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Author(s):  
Yuko Komuro ◽  
Yuji Ohta

Conventionally, the strength of toe plantar flexion (STPF) is measured in a seated position, in which not only the target toe joints but also the knee and particularly ankle joints, are usually restrained. We have developed an approach for the measurement of STPF which does not involve restraint and considers the interactions of adjacent joints of the lower extremities. This study aimed to evaluate this new approach and comparing with the seated approach. A thin, light-weight, rigid plate was attached to the sole of the foot in order to immobilize the toe area. Participants were 13 healthy young women (mean age: 24 ± 4 years). For measurement of STPF with the new approach, participants were instructed to stand, raise the device-wearing leg slightly, plantar flex the ankle, and push the sensor sheet with the toes to exert STPF. The sensor sheet of the F-scan II system was inserted between the foot sole and the plate. For measurement with the seated approach, participants were instructed to sit and push the sensor with the toes. They were required to maintain the hip, knee, and ankle joints at 90°. The mean values of maximum STPF of the 13 participants obtained with each approach were compared. There was no significant difference in mean value of maximum STPF when the two approaches were compared (new: 59 ± 23 N, seated: 47 ± 33 N). The coefficient of variation of maximum STPF was smaller for data obtained with the new approach (new: 39%, seated: 70%). Our simple approach enables measurement of STPF without the need for the restraints that are required for the conventional seated approach. These results suggest that the new approach is a valid method for measurement of STPF.


2001 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Kaneko ◽  
Kazuyoshi Sakamoto

Visual fatigue caused by prolonged work viewing a Visual Display Terminals (VDT) and of work reading a hard-copy were assessed by electromyogram (EMG) waveform and electrooculogram (EOG) waveform in spontaneous blinks as objective criteria, and by questionnaire of subjective feeling, and by task performance. The duration and the amplitude of the EMG of the orbicularis ocular muscle on the right side and the EOG of the vertical direction to the eyelid were measured for 10 subjects who participated in a figure task consisting of the addition of single-digit numbers on a VDT work or a work with a hard-copy. The mean values of the duration and the amplitude of the EMG and the EOG were evaluated by the averaging of 10 waveforms of the spontaneous blinks for all subjects. The time lag from the EMG to the EOG in the process of the generation of spontaneous blinks was also analyzed. These five parameters were evaluated during the work time. The mean values for the duration of the EMG increased gradually during the work time, but the amplitude did not show significant difference between the prework and a work time. There was no significant change of the duration of the EOG, but the mean amplitude of the EOG decreased as the work time progressed, and the time lag significantly extended. The blinks frequency increased relatively when using a VDT. The rate of fluctuation for these parameters was higher during use of a VDT than use of a hard-copy. The time lag at five hours of VDT work was extended by 90% based on the value at the prework. The symptoms of general fatigue and fatigue of the eyes increased linearly during the VDT work for six hours. The results indicated a significant correlation between the objective parameters for the activity of the spontaneous blinks, i.e., duration and amplitude of EMG and EOG, and the time lag between EMG and EOG, and the subjective feeling was recognized in the time course of the task. These experimental results suggested that the parameters regarding the EMG and the EOG for the spontaneous blinks were effective indices for assessing visual fatigue during prolonged VDT work.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document