scholarly journals On the Potential of the RST-FLARE Algorithm for Gas Flaring Characterization from Space

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 2466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariapia Faruolo ◽  
Teodosio Lacava ◽  
Nicola Pergola ◽  
Valerio Tramutoli

An effective characterization of gas flaring is hampered by the lack of systematic, complete and reliable data on its magnitude and spatial distribution. In the last years, a few satellite methods have been developed to provide independent information on gas flaring activity at global, national and local scale. Among these, a MODIS-based method, aimed at the computation of gas flared volumes by an Italian plant, was proposed. In this work, a more general version of this approach, named RST-FLARE, has been developed to provide reliable information on flaring sites localization and gas emitted volumes over a long time period for the Niger Delta region, one of the top five gas flaring areas in the world. Achieved results showed a good level of accuracy, in terms of flaring sites localization (95% of spatial match) and volume estimates (mean bias between in 16% and 20%, at annual scale and 2–9% in the long period) when compared to independent data, provided both by other satellite techniques and national/international organizations. Outcomes of this work seem to indicate that RST-FLARE can be used to provide, at different geographic scales, quite accurate data on gas flaring, suitable for monitoring purposes for governments and local authorities.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne Brochot ◽  
Vianney Souplet ◽  
Pauline Follet ◽  
Pauline Ponthieu ◽  
Christophe Olivier ◽  
...  

Background: In the fight against SARS-COV-2, the development of serological assays based on different antigenic domains represent a versatile tool to get a comprehensive picture of the immune response or differentiate infection from vaccination beyond simple diagnosis. Objectives: Here we use a combination of the Nucleoprotein (NP), the Spike 1 (S1) and Spike 2 (S2) subunits, and the receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain (NTD) of the Spike antigens from the Syrius-CoViDiag multiplex IgG assay, to follow the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection over a long time period and depending on disease severity. Results: Using a panel of 209 sera collected from 61 patients up to eight months after infection, we observed that most patients develop an immune response against multiple viral epitope, but anti-S2 antibodies seemed to last longer. For all the tested IgGs, we have found higher titers for hospitalized patients than for non-hospitalized ones. Moreover the combination of the five different IgG titers increased the correlation to the neutralizing antibody titers than if considered individually. Conclusion: Multiplex immunoassays have the potential to improve diagnostic performances, especially for ancient infection or mild form of the disease presenting weaker antibody titers. Also the combined detection of anti-NP and anti-Spike-derived domains can be useful to differentiate vaccination from viral infection and accurately assess the antibody potential to neutralize the virus.


2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.M. Adedokun ◽  
◽  
M. Kyalo ◽  
B. Gnonlonfin ◽  
J. Wainaina ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 749-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeoye O Akinola

Nigeria remains Africa’s largest energy producer and at the same time possesses one of the highest gas flaring rates in the continent. Gas flaring in the Niger Delta region, estimated at 75% of the entire gas produced in Nigeria, highlights the environmental abuse posed by resource extraction, and exposes the failure of successive governments to eliminate the threat it portends to human survival in the oil region. The federal government formally declared gas flaring illegal since 1984, but multinational oil companies continue to treat compliance as a matter of convenience and not of necessity. Despite persistent protests against environmental degradation by the oil-producing communities, the refusal of the oil companies to end gas flaring and complicity of the government remained sources of concern. In the light of these, the study examines the crux of the gas flaring imbroglio, assesses the cost–benefits of gas flaring, and explores how gas emissions to the atmosphere have threatened human existence and ecological sustainability in the Niger Delta oil region. The study reiterates the urgency to enforce a zero-gas-flaring policy in Nigerian oil communities.


Author(s):  
C. E. Ezeokoro ◽  
Y. Momoh ◽  
T. Leton

There is no Black Carbon emission inventory for Nigeria and no standard Emission factor with which to measure the volume of emissions. This study aims at providing baseline emission inventory for the volume of Black Carbon released into the environment from gas flaring activities in the National Data Repository (NDR) between 1965 to 2016 (52 years) using Nigeria's associated petroleum gas-related emission factors; modelling of the estimated Black Carbon emissions using logistic growth model. The volume of gas produced and flared within this period was sourced from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) annual bulletins and other literature. The work shows that: for the period under review, 1.8 trillion cubic meters of gas was produced and 0.91 trillion cubic meters was flared, only 11% of gas produced was flared in 2016. Estimated cumulative Black Carbon emission shows that Black Carbon emission from gas flare is decreasing as the volume of gas flared is decreasing. The model shows that 487050 tons, 1116157 tons; 19438 tons, 44544 tons and 0.10 are the respective carrying capacities, initial Black Carbon volumes and growth rate for the upper and lower Black Carbon emissions.  Re-injection and Utilization of flared gas for cooking purposes and placing a heavy penalty on gas flaring activities are among solutions given to reduce gas flaring.


Author(s):  
Adeoye Ademola Elijah

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is of great socio-economic importance due to its huge crude oil reserves. However, the process of exploration has been of great detrimental effect on the physiochemical properties of the soil, water and air quality in the region and has caused several public health issues. This review article is focused on readdressing the extent of the impact of one of the processes, gas flaring on the environment, using some physiochemical parameters of rain water, soil and air quality in some selected communities in the Niger Delta region based on series of previous researches. The results show that gas flaring has negatively impacted the physical and chemical properties soil, water and air components of the environment, most especially impacting areas very close to the flaring site. Also, recommendations were made as to how the flaring of gas can be reduced to a very minimal level as well as how these gases can be utilized making it more economical than the flaring process which is a very good case for further research.


Author(s):  
Chioma C Ojianwuna ◽  
Ahmed I Omotayo ◽  
Victor N Enwemiwe ◽  
Fouad A Adetoro ◽  
Destiny N Eyeboka ◽  
...  

Abstract The development of insecticide resistance in different species of mosquitoes to Pyrethroids is a major challenge for vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Failure of Pyrethroids in control of mosquitoes would impact negatively on the gains recorded in control of mosquito-borne diseases in previous years. In anticipation of a country-wide deployment of Pyrethroid-treated nets for control of mosquito-borne diseases in Nigeria, this study assessed susceptibility of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. (Diptera: Culicidae) to Pyrethroids in Owhelogbo, Ejeme and Oria-Abraka communities in Delta State, Niger-Delta, Nigeria. Three to five day old Cx. quinquefasciatus were exposed to Deltamethrin (0.05%), Permethrin (0.75%), and Alphacypermethrin (0.05%) using World Health Organization bioassay method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed in characterization of species and knockdown mutation. Results revealed that Cx. quinquefasciatus were generally susceptible (98-100%) to Deltamethrin, Permethrin, and Alphacypermethrin in the three communities with the exception of Owhelogbo where resistance to Deltamethrin (97%) was suspected. Knockdown time to Deltamethrin (11.51, 11.23, and 12.68 min), Permethrin (28.75, 13.26, and 14.49 min), and Alphacypermethrin (15.07, 12.50, and 13.03 min) were considerably low for Owhelogbo, Ejeme, and Oria-Abraka Cx. quinquefasciatus populations, respectively. Species identification result showed that all amplified samples were Cx. quinquefasciatus; however, no kdr allele was found in the three populations. Deployment of pyrethroid-treated nets for control of mosquito-borne diseases in Niger-Delta region of Nigeria is capable of reducing burden of diseases transmitted by Cx. quinquefasciatus as well as addressing nuisance value of the vector; however, caution must be entertained so as not to increase selection pressure thereby aiding resistance development.


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