scholarly journals A Study of the Effects of Petroleum Production on Selected Soil Fertility Attributes in Ogoni Land, Rivers State Nigeria

The physical, chemical and biological properties of soil in Khana and Gokana LGAs of Rivers State Nigeria were investigated. The main aim was to determine to what extent the soil fertility attributes in Ogoni land had been negatively affected by petroleum production in the area. Soil samples were collected from scientifically delineated spots in the study area and analyzed in the laboratory at the Institute of pollution studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. All the data obtained from the laboratory were analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results show that soil characteristics show evidence of variation attributable to influence of petroleum production activities. It is hereby recommended that in the oil production business, government should supervise the operation of the oil companies strictly and with due regard to the welfare of the inhabitants of the communities. The oil companies should carry the host communities along in their activities. The host communities should forget the past, rely more on facts and show readiness to move forward. Oil production can still go forward to the benefit of all.

Author(s):  
P. C. Nnadi ◽  
B. B. Otene ◽  
Nwiisator David-Sarogoro

This study was carried out to examine the distribution of plant species in Rivers State University campus at different locations at the Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Port Harcourt Nigeria. The general objective of this study was to examine the Ecological distribution of plant species in Rivers State University campus at different locations. The specific objective was to determine the species abundance of various plants in the study area and also to examine the ecological diversity of tree species in the various groups. The study area was divided into three groups (stations) with the various plants species identified and recorded. Data gotten from the field was analyzed using descriptive statistic and some ecological indices such as Margalef, Mehinick, Shannon diversity, Shannon Wiener, Evenness/Equitability and Simpson dominance.  A total of one thousand Sixty-nine (1069) individual plant were identified with 16, 17 and 12 species in stations 1-3 respectively. The highest individual plants (561) were observed in station 1 while the least (87) were observed in station 3. The mean values of stations 1 and 2 were significantly and statistically different from site 3 at p<0.05. The results obtained showed some dominant species to include Elaeis guincensis, Polyaithia longifolia, Pinus spp, Gmelina arborea, Wodyetia bifareata, Citrus sinensis, Cocos nuciferia while others were the least dominant species found in the study area. The Margalef, Mehinicks and Shannon Wiener values were consistently highest in station 2 but lowest in station 3.  Human disturbances had negative impact on tree species abundance especially in site 3. It is therefore recommended that management interventions are necessary in other to stop indiscriminate felling of the various trees species that made up the different groups.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 01-21
Author(s):  
Alexander Hart ◽  
◽  
Oboh CA ◽  
Barimalaa IS ◽  
TG Sokari

Concentrations of the trace metals lead, iron, copper and zinc were estimated in crops harvested in some oil prospecting locations in Rivers State, Nigeria. The locations were; Agbada-Aluu (AA), Ebocha (EB), Idu Ekpeye (IE), Obagi (OB) and Trans Amadi Layout (TA), with the Teaching and Research Farm of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt as control. Crops investigated were cassava (Manihot esculenta), cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), okra (Hibiscus esculentus), pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) and waterleaf (Talinum traingulare). Results of the mean lead concentrations were from 1.1µg/g in cocoyam to 9.1 µg/g in okro, showing higher trends in the industrialized areas. While cocoyam had the lowest lead concentration, the concentration rest of the crops did not differ significantly from one another. Crops from locations TA, OB, IE and EB had significantly higher concentrations of lead, although IE, AA and TF were not significantly different from one another. Mean concentrations of iron were between 40 µg/g in cassava from TF, and 651 µg/g in pumpkin leaves from TA - the industrial base of Rivers State - reflecting a high level of pollution from the various industries in that location. Differences in concentration of iron in crops showed pumpkin leaves to have the highest level of iron, followed by the other green vegetables – waterleaf and okra - although no significant differences occurred between okra, cocoyam and cassava. Copper concentrations were between 4.4 µg/g in cocoyam from locations TF and 23 µg/g in pumpkin leaves from TA. Pumpkin leaves had the highest concentrations of copper, followed by okra, then waterleaf, with cocoyam and cassava having the least significant levels. Zinc concentrations in crops were between 29 µg/g in cocoyam from TF to 240 µg/g in pumpkin leaves from EB. Pumpkin leaves and okra contained the highest levels of the metal, followed by waterleaf, then cassava and finally cocoyam. In terms of location, TA, OB and EB had the highest concentrations in crops, the least occurring in TF and AA. These results reflect higher concentrations of metals in crops from the industrialized locations, with the green vegetables, particularly pumpkin leaves, having the highest uptake, while cocoyam invariably had the least. These findings give cause for concern, particularly as heavy metals are bio-accumulative in the system and portend a serious health risk to man and animals.


Author(s):  
A. I. Nwonuala ◽  
L. D. Gbaraneh

This study is aimed to evaluate the yield performance of 12 varieties of upland rice and to assess the agronomic traits that contribute to yield performance of these varieties. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The twelve varieties which made up the twelve treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The experimental site was loamy sand, medium acidic with the soil pH reduced in the second cropping season (pH 4.9 in 2012; and pH 4.8 in 2013). The varieties differed significantly amongst themselves in panicle weight, number of fertile spikelets, grain length/breath ratio, 1000 grain weight in 2012 and 2013 planting and grain yield in 2012 planting season. The ITA 321 had the highest yield of 10300.33 kg/ha in 2012 and 10533.33 kg/ha in 2013 followed by NERICA 1 having 9066.67 kg/ha (2012) and 9133.33 kg/ha (2013). The NERICA 2,3,4,5 and 6 also belonged to the high yielding group while APO, Vandana,  IR68 and ITA 150 recorded lower yields. Results of this evaluation have shown that ITA 321 and NERICA 1 can be grown in the tropical rainforest zone for paddy grain yield rather than ITA 150 which are already in use in this agro-ecological zone. They are recommended also for adoption and use in rice production instead of the popular ITA 150.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1593-1597
Author(s):  
P.C. Nnadi

The study was concerned with the comparative study of honey produced from forestry arboretum in Rivers State University and the local market. The objective of this research was to determine and compare the Mineral Content of Honey Obtained from Rivers State University, Forestry  Arboretum and the local market Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific 210 vp) after digestion. Five elements were analyzed which include Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium and Potassium. The results gotten from the forestry arboretum honey are as follows; Calcium 1.14 ± 0.062mg/100, Iron 0.32 ± 0.001 mg/100 Magnesium 5.4 ± 0.472 mg/100, Zinc 0.12 ± 0.062mg/100g and potassium 470 ± 47.450mg/100 while for the local market Calcium is 0.3 ± 0.0017mg/100g, Iron 0.4 ± 0.003mg/100g, Zinc 0.17 ± 0.0062mg/100, magnesium 7.2 ± 0.260mg/100, and potassium 12.3 ± 0.145mg/100 .However Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium were the most abundant samples in the forestry arboretum and this is very important for development of the bones general body formation. A total of fifteen panelist were used to evaluate the honey sensory on a four point scale for different parameters. It was observed that appearance and opagueness has the highest score for samples, 3.43 and 3.42 respectively in forestry arboretum and the local market while texture, viscosity, taste and aroma are not farfetched. The results indicate that qualities of both honey samples are acceptable and both Honey Samples are rich in minerals. Keywords: Honey, Plant Diversity, Mineral Content, Forestry arboretum


Author(s):  
U. Oparaodu ◽  
N. N. Odu ◽  
G. A. Uzah

Staphylococcus aureus is ubiquitous, and highly adaptive pathogen that colonizes the skin and mucous membrane of the anterior nares, MRSA most often causes skin infections. In some cases, it causes pneumonia (lung infection) and other infections. If left untreated, MRSA infections can become severe and cause sepsis—the body's extreme response to an infection.Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the antibiogram of Methicillin ResistantStaphylococcus aureus from nasal carriage of Students in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Fifty (50) Nasal swab samples were collected using standard method, from the anterior nares of 25 male and 25 female students of Rivers State University using sterile cotton swabs and examined for Staphylococcus aureus using standard bacteriological methods. Staphylococcus aureus isolated were screened for methicillin resistance and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus using 8 different antibiotics such as Augmentin (30 µg), Ceftriaxone (30 µg), Gentamicin (10 µg), Cefuroxime (5 µg, Ofloxacin (5 µg), Erythromycin (5 µg), Cloxacillin (30 µg), Ceptazidime (30 µg were carried out using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique, Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 20. The results of the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, among students showed that out the 50 samples 48 (96%) were positive of S. aureus, with male having the 25 (52%) while female had 23 (48%). The responses of Staphylococcus aureus isolated showed that methicillin susceptible S. aureus (75.44%) were significantly (p<0.05 higher than ethicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) which were14.03% and methicillin intermediate S. aureus (MISA) which were 10.53% The results of me a gene screening revealed that all the (8) methicillin resistant S. aureus isolated posses mec A gene. Five Out of the eight (8) oral antibiotics tested against the methicillin resistant S. aureus showed some degree of susceptibility in the range of Ceftriaxone (37.5%), Erythromycin (50%), Cefuroxime (50%) < Ofloxacin (62.5%). The high prevalence of S. aureus (96%) isolated from nose of students between the age of 17 to 30 in this study indicated serious public health risk among students and the percentage of resistance of Methicillin Resistance S aureus to commonly uses antibiotics calls for continuous surveillance, therefore screening of target population, and decolonization of carriers should be conducted to decrease the spread and burden of drug resistant S. aureus and MRSA in schools and the community at large.


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