scholarly journals A survey on environmental contamination of suburban parks and playgrounds in Harare, Zimbabwe, with canine helminths of zoonotic significance

1999 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mukaratirwa ◽  
M. Taruvinga
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Low Levels

In an attempt to assess the possible risk to humans of soil-transmitted canine helminths of of zoonotic significance, 161 faecal samples and 81 soil samples were collected from 6 public parks and playgrounds in Harare between March and June 1998 and examined for nematode ova. Of the 161 faecal samples collected, 17.4 % were positive for Ancylostoma sp. ova and 5.6 % were positive for T. canis ova. No other nematode species ova were found. Over 50 % of the faecal samples positive for Ancylostoma sp. ova were 'moist', and this suggests that the moisture content of faeces contributes to the development and survival of this parasite in the environment. Only 3 of the 81 soil samples collected were positive for T. canis. The low levels of contamination of public playgrounds and parks with T. canis ova suggests that environmental contamination might not be important in the aetiology of human toxocarosis in Harare.

High Parasitic Contamination of Soil Samples in the North of Iran: a Potential Risk of Parasitic Infection for Tourists

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beheshteh Haghparast-kenari ◽  
Tooran Nayeri ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Rahimi ◽  
Ehsan Ahmadpour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
The North ◽  
North Of Iran

Background: Soil-transmitted parasites (STPs) are significant intestinal parasites that infect humans and animals and impose considerable burdens on human society and animal husbandry industries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic elements of soil samples collected from the north of Iran. Methods: A total of 256 soil samples were collected from public parks, public places, vegetable gardens, sand heaps, and shadow areas near houses in the north of Iran and examined using the sucrose flotation method. Results: Out of 256 examined samples, 131 (51.2%) ones showed parasitic contamination including larvae (43%), oocysts (14.1%), and different eggs (6.6%). According to the results, the most and least common parasites observed in the samples were larvae (43%), as well as Toxascaris leonina, and Trichuris trichiura (0.4%), respectively. Moreover, the most and least contaminated locations were sand heaps (62.5%) and shadow areas near houses (45.6%), respectively. Regarding cities, Behshahr (68.3%) and Sari (67.5%) had the highest contaminated soil samples, whereas Chalus (37.5%) showed the lowest contamination. On the other hand, rural samples showed more contamination, compared to urban areas (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the overall prevalence of STPs in examined areas and highly contaminated soil samples can be considered as a potential source of human contamination particularly tourists with STPs.

scholarly journals Factorial design study of total petroleum contaminated soil treatment using land farming technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehizonomhen S. Okonofua ◽  
Kayode H. Lasisi ◽  
Eguakhide Atikpo
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Optimum Point ◽  
Input Parameters ◽  
Substrate Moisture ◽  
Land Farming

AbstractLand farming technique was used to treat hydrocarbon contaminated soil collected from a crude oil spill sites in Edo State, Nigeria. Calibrated standard auger was used to collect soil samples from the site at depth below 30 cm. The samples were characterized and classified. Cow dung and NPK fertilizer were added as additives to complement the nutriments of the soil samples before total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) quantification and remediation procedures. Factorial design was applied to vary the input parameters such as pH, mass of substrate, moisture content and turning times of land farming so to ascertain the optimal conditions for the procedure. The result revealed that the in-situ TPH value was 5000 mg kg− 1 on the average and after 90 d of treatment, TPH reduced to 646 mg kg− 1. The turning rate, pH, moisture content and mass of substrate hade 83, 4.36, 0.48 and 0.046% contribution, respectively, for the degradation process using land farming treatment. Numerical optimization techniques applied in the optimum point for land farming input parameters to achieve predicted maximum removal of 99% were evaluated as pH, mass of substrate, moisture content and turning rate to be 6.01, 1 kg, 10% and 5 times in a week, respectively. TPH removed at this optimum point was 98% reducing from 5000 to 636 mg kg− 1. The high coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.9865) as observed in the closeness of predicted and experimental values reflects the reliability of the model and hence, land farming practice with close attention on turning rate as revealed by this study, is recommended for TPH contaminated soil remediation.

scholarly journals Parasitic contamination of urban and rural environments in the Slovak Republic: dog’s excrements as a source

2014 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Papajová ◽  
J. Pipiková ◽  
J. Papaj ◽  
A. Čižmár
Keyword(s):  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Rural Environments ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
One Year ◽  
Trichuris Vulpis ◽  
Toxascaris Leonina

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the possibility of soil contamination with propagative stages of intestinal endoparasites at different public places (public parks, playgrounds, sandpits, sidewalks, road sides). In a one-year-study, totally 578 dog’s faecal samples from 8 towns (Košice, Trebišov, Veľké Kapušany, Prešov, Snina, Levoča, Zvolen and Trenčín) and 3 villages (Dlhé Stráže, Dravce, Valaliky) were examined for the presence of parasitic germs. 29.9 % of faecal samples were positive. Eight different species of intestinal parasites with following incidence were detected: Toxocara canis (11.9 %), Trichuris vulpis (8.5 %), Ancylostomatidae (8.1 %), Taenia spp. (4.0 %), Toxascaris leonina (3.1 %), Capillaria spp. (1.0 %), Dipylidium caninum (0.2 %) and Coccidia oocysts (0.2 %). Additionally 285 sandpits were examined. Sand samples were collected from Košice (136), Zvolen (38), Trenčín (36), Prešov (30), Veľké Kapušany (24), Snina (15), and village Valaliky (6). The parasitic eggs occurence in the sandpits was as follows: Toxocara spp. (11.8 %), Ancylostomatidae (1.1 %), Taenia type (0.7 %) and Trichuris spp. (0.4 %). The occurrence of Toxocara spp. varied between the urban and rural environments. The highest number of Toxocara spp. was found in village Valaliky (33.3 %) whereas cities showed lesser prevalence (Prešov — 10 %, Košice — 7.4 %, Trenčín — 5.6 %, Zvolen — 5.3 %, Veľké Kapušany — 4.2 %). The epidemiological aspects and health risk factors are also discussed.

scholarly journals Environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. Eggs in a rural settlement in Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 279-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vamilton Alvares Santarém ◽  
Elisabeth da Cunha Franco ◽  
Fernanda Torres Kozuki ◽  
Danila Fini ◽  
Luiz Euribel Prestes-Carneiro
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Larva Migrans ◽  
Visceral Larva Migrans ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Flotation Technique

In order to study the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in a rural community from the Pontal do Paranapanema region, São Paulo State, Brazil, soil samples from 31 out of 121 plots were collected in eight different places on each house. The samples were submitted to flotation technique in sodium nitrate (d = 1.20g/cm³). Eggs of Toxocara spp. were recovered in nine (29.03%) out of the 31 plots. At least one dog was registered in 27 of the 31 plots examined (87.1%) and at least one cat in 17 (54.84%). The number of pets per plot ranged from one to six (mean of 2.3) for dogs and one to 14 (mean of 1.29) for cats. In 16 plots (51.61%), the presence of both dogs and cats was observed. There was no relation between the presence of pets in the plots and soil contamination (p > 0.05). However, the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs associated to the poor conditions of the inhabitants may be an important risk factor for the human population to ocular or visceral larva migrans.

scholarly journals Parasitology and urban livestock farming in Nigeria : prevalence of ova in faecal and soil samples and animal ectoparasites in Makurdi

2007 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Omudu ◽  
E.U. Amuta
Keyword(s):  
Test Tube ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Flotation Technique ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Domestic environmental pollution resulting from urban livestock farming was investigated in Makurdi using parasitological techniques. The test tube flotation technique was used for the parasitological analysis of animal faecal matter and soil samples collected from residential premises. Ectoparasitic fauna of dogs, goats, sheep and cattle cohabiting with humans within the same residential compound were also collected and identified. The hand-picking and body brushing methods were employed to search for ticks, fleas, lice and mites. Of the 150 soil samples examined, 55 (36.7 %) were positive for 1 or more eggs of helminth parasites. There was no significant difference in the distribution of eggs in the soil samples from the 3 areas sampled (c2=0.046, df=2, P>0.05). Ascaris species were the dominant parasite eggs found. Of the 180 faecal samples examined, 107 (59.4 %) were positive for 1 or more eggs of helminth parasites. Chi-square analysis showed no significant difference in the level of infection of different animal faeces sampled (c2=5.74, df=4, P>0.05). Ascaris species were again the dominating helminth parasite eggs found. There was also no significant difference in the prevalence of helminth eggs in the animal faecal samples from the 3 areas sampled (c2=5.99, df=4, P>0.05). A total of 1908 ectoparasites was recovered (ticks: 32.80 %; lice: 22.43 %; fleas: 22.06% and mite: 22.69 %). There was no significant difference in infestation animals between sexes (c2=0.10, df=4, P>0.05). The predominant genus encountered for ticks were Amblyomma, while Linognathus (43.90%), Ctenocephalides (97.38%) and Sarcoptes (58.89 %) were most predominant for lice, fleas and mites respectively. The public health implications of the findings, especially as these relate to the increasing incidence and prevalence of zoonotic infections, are discussed.

scholarly journals Draft Requirement of Two Animal - Drawn Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Weeders

2020 ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
Y. A. Unguwanrimi ◽  
A. M. Sada ◽  
G. N. Ugama ◽  
H. S. Garuba ◽  
A. Ugoani
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Experimental Plot ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
Loam Soil

Draft requirements of two animal – drawn (IAR) weeders operating on loam soil were determined in the study. The implements include a straddle row weeder and an emcot attached rotary weeder evaluated under the same soil conditions, using a pair of white Fulani breed of oxen. The animal draft requirement was first estimated from the animal ergonomics measurements. Using area of 0.054 hectare as experimental plot for each implement the draft requirement of each implement was investigated after taking soil samples for soil moisture content and bulk density determinations. The implements tested showed variation in their average draft requirement. The straddle row weeder had the highest value of 338.15 N respectively while the emcot attached rotary weeder had the lowest value of 188.12 N with 47.03%, respectively. The average soil moisture contents and bulk density were 13.0% and 1.46%/cm3, respectively.

scholarly journals Nutritional qualities assessment of locally processed spaghetti

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Bitrus Tukura ◽  
Joseph Daniel Gbubele ◽  
Swaiba Mamman
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Zinc Content ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Crude Fiber ◽  
Nutritional Properties ◽  
Mineral Contents ◽  
Standard Methods ◽  
Nutritional Qualities ◽  
Low Levels

The quest for cheap and quality food is on the increase, especially during economy crises. Some nutritional properties of the raw and cooked local and industrial spaghetti were determined using standard methods. Concentrations of mineral elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Total ash (0.98±007 %), crude protein (14.28±0.15 %) and carbohydrate (77.95±0.11 %) levels in the raw industrial spaghetti were higher compared to the locally processed raw spaghetti. Carbohydrate and moisture levels for both processed spaghetti increased on cooking, while total ash and protein contents decreased. Crude fiber (0.009±0.00 %), carbohydrate (77.52±0.21 %) and moisture levels in the cooked local spaghetti were higher than in the cooked industrial spaghetti. Proximate contents of the local and industrial raw spaghetti were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different. Concentrations of mineral elements in the raw locally processed spaghetti were lower than in the industrial spaghetti. Low levels of functional properties were recorded in the local spaghetti. Cooking decreased zinc content in the spaghetti, but significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the moisture content, crude fiber, carbohydrate and mineral contents. The spaghetti processed locally may serve as an alternative to the industrial spaghetti.

scholarly journals Engineering behaviour of stabilized laterite and kaolin using lignin

2018 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 01008
Author(s):  
Tuan Noor Hasanah Tuan Ismail ◽  
Siti Aimi Nadia Mohd Yusoff ◽  
Ismail Bakar ◽  
Devapriya Chitral Wijeyesekera ◽  
Adnan Zainorabidin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Unconfined Compressive Strength ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Optimum Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Laterite Soil ◽  
Maximum Dry Density ◽  
Steady Rate

Soils at many sites do not always have enough strength to bear the structures constructed over them and some of the soil may need to be stabilized in order to improve their geotechnical properties. In this paper, routine laboratory tests were critically carried out to investigate the efficacy of lignin in improving the strength behaviour of the soils. Two different soil samples (laterite and kaolin) were studied and mixed with different proportions of lignin (2% and 5% of dry weight of soil), respectively. Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) characteristics evaluated in this study were done on samples at their maximum dry density and optimum moisture content (obtained from compaction tests). The UCS tests on all the specimens were carried out after 0, 7, 15, 21 and 30 days of controlled curing. The research results showed that the addition of lignin into kaolin reduced its maximum dry density while giving progressively higher optimum moisture content. Contrarily, with the laterite soil, both maximum dry density and optimum moisture content simultaneously increased when lignin was added into the soils. The UCS results showed that the the stabilized laterite with 2% lignin continued to gain strength significantly at a fairly steady rate after 7 days. Unfortunately, lignin did not show a significant effect in kaolin.

scholarly journals Factors of soil diversity in the Batumi delta (Georgia)

Solid Earth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bülent Turgut ◽  
Merve Ateş
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Sand Content ◽  
Soil Diversity ◽  
Delta Plain ◽  
Mean Weight Diameter

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine certain basic properties of soils in the Batumi delta (southwestern Georgia) to determine the relationships of studied properties and to identify differences with regards to these properties between different sampling sites in the delta that were selected based on the delta morphology. In this context, a total of 125 soil samples were collected from five different sampling sites, and the clay, silt and sand content of the samples were determined along with their mean weight diameter (MWD) values, aggregate stability (AS) values, amount of water retained under −33 (FC) and −1500 kPa (WP) pressure and organic matter (OM) content. Correlation analysis indicated that clay content and OM were positively correlated with MWD, and OM was positively correlated with AS. However, the sand content was found to be negatively correlated with MWD. In addition, clay, silt and OM content were positive correlated with FC and WP. Variance analysis results determined statistically significant differences between the sampling sites with respect to all of the evaluated properties. The active delta section of the study area was characterized by high sand content, while the lower delta plain was characterized by high OM and AS values, and the upper delta plain was characterized by high MWD values, high FC and WP moisture content levels and high clay and silt content. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the examined properties were significantly affected by the different morphological positions and usages of these different areas. These results may help with the management of agricultural lands in the Batumi delta, which has never been studied before.

Evaluation of Various Soil Moisture Sensors in Four Different Soil Types

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 963-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonny José Araújo da Silva ◽  
Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva ◽  
Adriano Bicioni Pacheco ◽  
Thiago Franco Duarte ◽  
Helon Hébano de Freitas Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Drying Method ◽  
Soil Moisture Sensors ◽  
Calibration Equations

Abstract.Accurate measurements of soil moisture content can contribute to resource conservation in irrigated systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate various soil moisture sensors (a porous cup tensiometer, Diviner 2000, PR2, XH300, PM100, and ML3; the mention of model names does not constitute an implied endorsement) used in four different soil types. The experiment was conducted inside a greenhouse using a specially constructed box that contained the soil samples. The soil samples were first saturated and subsequently drained before starting the measurements. The soil moisture content was determined by the oven-drying method. Using the standard deviation of the sensor readings, regression analyses were performed, resulting in calibration equations and coefficient of determination (R2) values for each sensor and soil type combination. The porous cup tensiometer, Diviner 2000, PR2, and ML3 measurements resulted in excellent R2 values that exceeded 0.95 for the four soils. However, measurements with the XH300 and PM100 sensors resulted in R2 values of 0.37 to 0.86 and 0.61 to 0.94, respectively, limiting their scientific applicability for the studied soils. Therefore, the porous cup tensiometer, Diviner 2000, PR2, and ML3 estimated the soil moisture content with greater confidence than did the other sensors and with an error of less than 5%. Keywords: Calibration, Tensiometer, Volumetric water content.

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