The impact of industrial effluent discharge on physico-chemical and microbial parameters of Orogodo River, Agbor, Nigeria

Aim: This research work aimed to determine the impact of industrial effluent discharge on the physicochemical properties of Aleto Stream, Eleme and Rivers State. Study Design: Random sampling technique was applied in this study. The study area was divided into three sites; upstream, downstream all of Aleto Stream and Agbonchia Stream which serves for the control experiment. Water samples for eleven physical and six chemical parameters were collected in a Completely Randomized Design. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out on Aleto and Agbonchia streams at Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria from 2017 to 2018. Methodology: Two samples were collected; one sample at the Aleto stream where the industrial effluent is being channelled into the stream and the other sample was collected from Agbonchia stream, which was used as a control. In the Aleto Stream, sampling was made at two points; point A (upstream) point B (downstream) and each of these points had their Physico-chemical properties tested while only one sample was collected from the Agbonchia Stream. Physico-chemical properties were analyzed in the samples using pH meter for pH, Turbidity meter for turbidity, Conductivity meter for electrical conductivity, phosphate by colourimetric method, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) by gravimetric method, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by standard method, chloride, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), calcium hardness, total hardness by titrimetric method, colour, odour and taste by sensory method. Results: Results obtained on the Physico-chemical properties had varying concentrations of Temperature, Total hardness, Chloride, Alkalinity, DO and Phosphate that were within world health organization (24) and Federal Ministry of Environment (1991) permissible limits on both upstream and downstream with values ranging from 29.0-23.7oC, 360-125 mg/l, 120-100 mg/l, 36-30 mg/l, 4.9-4.4 mg/l, 1.92-1.2 mg/l respectively while Electrical conductivity, Turbidity, TSS, TDS, Calcium hardness, COD, BOD, Colour, Taste and Odour were above permissible limits on both upstream and downstream with values ranging from 1660-1700 mg/l, 83-112NTU, 82-80 mg/l, 910-914 mg/l, 1590-1900 mg/l, 100-165 mg/l, 4.36-3.88 mg/l respectively. The pH values ranged from 9.0-6.3 mg/l showing a result on the upstream to be alkaline while the downstream was slightly acidic. The increase in the above parameters above their permissible limits is as a result of the impact of industrial effluent discharges drained into the stream. This indicates that the stream is unfit for both human and aquatic inmates. Conclusion: Therefore, proper management of this effluent should be ensured and an acute test with lethal concentration (LC50) as the endpoint is recommended to determine the degree of toxicity of the effluent waste.

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The Impacts of Industrial Effluent Discharge on Agricultural Fields

International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review ◽

10.15520/ijcrr/2018/9/06/532 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (06) ◽

pp. 20240-20245

Author(s):

Amusat Mudasiru Abiodun ◽

Taiwo Adewale Mathew ◽

Ogundele Olusegun Michael ◽

Ademiluyi Yinka Segun

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Human Health ◽

Industrial Effluent ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Agricultural Fields ◽

Microsoft Excel ◽

Standard Procedures ◽

Safe Limits ◽

Effluent Discharge ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of agricultural industrial effluent discharge on agricultural fields. Soil and crops samples from industrial effluent irrigated agricultural fields were collected from 5 locations in Ilorin, Kwara State between March and August, 2017. Soil and crop samples were analysed for heavy metals (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Cadmium, and Chromium) using the standard procedures. Data collected were analysed for simple descriptive statistics using the Microsoft Excel Package. Results showed Zn level concentration in agricultural produces from in Farms 3 - 5 were found to be in the range of 0.08-0.3 mgkg-1 `falling within the WHO/FAO safe limits of 0.60 mgkg-1. Crop samples collected from Farms 1 & 2 showed the Zn levels higher than the WHO/FAO permissible limit. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe and Cd in agricultural produces were found within the permissible limits of the WHO. The order of accumulation of heavy metals by the agricultural produces were Ewedu > Garden Egg > Flute Pumpkin > Maize > Okro. The consumption of agricultural produces study farms 1 and 2 may pose serious danger to human health. This study recommends treatment of industrial effluent before discharge into the agricultural lands.

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Effect of industrial effluent discharge on physico-chemical characteristics of agricultural soil: An overview

International Journal of Chemical Studies ◽

10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i6ah.11127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 2368-2371

Author(s):

Nidhi Nagar ◽

Vipin Kumar ◽

Raksha Pal Singh ◽

Har Mohan Singh Yadav ◽

Devendra Pal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Soil ◽

Industrial Effluent ◽

Chemical Characteristics ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Effluent Discharge

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The Impact of Filler Geometry on Polylactic Acid-Based Sustainable Polymer Composites

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26010149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 149

Author(s):

Karol Leluk ◽

Stanisław Frąckowiak ◽

Joanna Ludwiczak ◽

Tomasz Rydzkowski ◽

Vijay Kumar Thakur

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Polylactic Acid ◽

Matrix Material ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽

Cellulose Fibres ◽

Shape Factors ◽

Pure Cellulose ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

Recently, biocomposites have emerged as materials of great interest to the scientists and industry around the globe. Among various polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular matrix material with high potential for advanced applications. Various particulate materials and nanoparticles have been used as the filler in PLA based matrix. One of the extensively studied filler is cellulose. However, cellulose fibres, due to their hydrophilic nature, are difficult to blend with a hydrophobic polymer matrix. This leads to agglomeration and creates voids, reducing the mechanical strength of the resulting composite. Moreover, the role of the various forms of pure cellulose and its particle shape factors has not been analyzed in most of the current literature. Therefore, in this work, materials of various shapes and shape factors were selected as fillers for the production of polymer composites using Polylactic acid as a matrix to fill this knowledge gap. In particular, pure cellulose fibres (three types with different elongation coefficient) and two mineral nanocomponents: precipitated calcium carbonate and montmorillonite were used. The composites were prepared by a melt blending process using two different levels of fillers: 5% and 30%. Then, the analysis of their thermomechanical and physico-chemical properties was carried out. The obtained results were presented graphically and discussed in terms of their shape and degree of filling.

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Impact of Preharvest and Postharvest on Color Changes during Convective Drying of Mangoes

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030490 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 490

Author(s):

Alioune Diop ◽

Jean–Michel Méot ◽

Mathieu Léchaudel ◽

Frédéric Chiroleu ◽

Nafissatou Diop Ndiaye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Models ◽

Convective Drying ◽

Color Changes ◽

Ripening Time ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

C 30 ◽

The Impact

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the harvest stage, ripening conditions and maturity on color changes of cv. ‘Cogshall’ and cv. ‘Kent’ variety mangoes during drying. A total of four harvests were undertaken, and the fruits were ripened at 20 and 35 °C for five different ripening times at each temperature. At each ripening time, mangoes were dried at 60 °C/30% RH/1.5 m/s for 5 h. A wide physico-chemical and color variability of fresh and dry pulp was created. The relationships according to the L*, H* and C* coordinates were established using mixed covariance regression models in relation to the above pre- and postharvest (preprocess) parameters. According to the L* coordinate results, browning during drying was not affected by the preprocess parameters. However, dried slices from mangoes ripened at 35 °C exhibited better retention of the initial chroma, and had a greater decrease in hue than dried slices from mangoes ripened at 20 °C. However, fresh mango color, successfully managed by the pre- and postharvest conditions, had more impact on dried mango color than the studied parameters. The preprocess parameters were effective levers for improving fresh mango color, and consequently dried mango color.

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Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Toxicological Properties of Commercial 2D Boron Nitride Nanopowder and Nanoplatelets

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22020567 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 567

Author(s):

Brixhilda Domi ◽

Kapil Bhorkar ◽

Carlos Rumbo ◽

Labrini Sygellou ◽

Spyros N. Yannopoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Boron Nitride ◽

A549 Cells ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Slight Reduction ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Potential Toxicity ◽

Cellular Models ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

Boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials have been increasingly explored for potential applications in chemistry and biology fields (e.g., biomedical, pharmaceutical, and energy industries) due to their unique physico-chemical properties. However, their safe utilization requires a profound knowledge on their potential toxicological and environmental impact. To date, BN nanoparticles have been considered to have a high biocompatibility degree, but in some cases, contradictory results on their potential toxicity have been reported. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed two commercial 2D BN samples, namely BN-nanopowder (BN-PW) and BN-nanoplatelet (BN-PL), with the objective to identify whether distinct physico-chemical features may have an influence on the biological responses of exposed cellular models. Morphological, structural, and composition analyses showed that the most remarkable difference between both commercial samples was the diameter of their disk-like shape, which was of 200–300 nm for BN-PL and 100–150 nm for BN-PW. Their potential toxicity was investigated using adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549 cells) and the unicellular fungus Saccharomycescerevisiae, as human and environmental eukaryotic models respectively, employing in vitro assays. In both cases, cellular viability assays and reactive oxygen species (ROS) determinations where performed. The impact of the selected nanomaterials in the viability of both unicellular models was very low, with only a slight reduction of S. cerevisiae colony forming units being observed after a long exposure period (24 h) to high concentrations (800 mg/L) of both nanomaterials. Similarly, BN-PW and BN-PL showed a low capacity to induce the formation of reactive oxygen species in the studied conditions. Even at the highest concentration and exposure times, no major cytotoxicity indicators were observed in human cells and yeast. The results obtained in the present study provide novel insights into the safety of 2D BN nanomaterials, indicating no significant differences in the toxicological potential of similar commercial products with a distinct lateral size, which showed to be safe products in the concentrations and exposure conditions tested.

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Assessment of the Impact of Small Hydropower Plants on the Ecological Status Indicators of Water Bodies: A Case Study in Lithuania

Water ◽

10.3390/w13040433 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 433

Author(s):

Laima Česonienė ◽

Midona Dapkienė ◽

Petras Punys

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽

Suspended Solids ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Fish Abundance ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Small Hydropower ◽

Hydropower Plants ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

Hydropower plants produce renewable and sustainable energy but affect the river’s physico-chemical characteristics and change the abundance and composition of the aquatic organisms. The impact of large HPPs on the ecological conditions of surface water bodies have been extensively studied, but less attention has been paid to environmental impact studies of small hydropower plants (SHPs). The impact of hydropeaking on both the river flow regime and ecosystems has been well-studied for peaking mode plants, mainly medium to large-sized ones. However, for small hydroelectric power plants, and especially for those in lowland rivers, the available information on water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates communities and fish abundance, and biomass is not sufficient. Ten small hydropower plants were selected, and the ecological status of water bodies was assessed in different parts of Lithuania. The studies were performed at the riverbed upstream from the SHPs, where the hydrological regime has not changed, and downstream from the SHPs. It was found that the small hydropower plants do not affect the physico-chemical values of the water quality indicators. This study demonstrated that the total number of benthic macroinvertebrates taxa (TS) is influenced by the concentration of nitrogen and suspended solids, the water flow, the river area, and the current speed; the number of EPT (Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies)) taxa is influenced by the concentration of nitrogen and suspended solids. The studied indicators do not have a significant impact on biomass. The SHPs affect the fish abundance and biomass. The Lithuanian fish index (LFI) is influenced by the average depth and area of the river. Some SHPs operating in lowland areas may yield somewhat significant hydrograph ramping but more detailed investigation is needed to support the significance of this impact on the biological indices.

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Fire Resistance Behaviour of Geopolymer Concrete:An Overview

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings11030082 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 82

Author(s):

Salmabanu Luhar ◽

Demetris Nicolaides ◽

Ismail Luhar

Keyword(s):

Compressive Strength ◽

Thermal Resistance ◽

Building Materials ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Flexural Behavior ◽

Thermal Shrinkage ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact ◽

Loss Of Strength

Even though, an innovative inorganic family of geopolymer concretes are eye-catching potential building materials, it is quite essential to comprehend the fire and thermal resistance of these structural materials at a very high temperature and also when experiencing fire with a view to make certain not only the safety and security of lives and properties but also to establish them as more sustainable edifice materials for future. The experimental and field observations of degree of cracking, spalling and loss of strength within the geopolymer concretes subsequent to exposure at elevated temperature and incidences of occurrences of disastrous fires extend an indication of their resistance against such severely catastrophic conditions. The impact of heat and fire on mechanical attributes viz., mechanical-compressive strength, flexural behavior, elastic modulus; durability—thermal shrinkage; chemical stability; the impact of thermal creep on compressive strength; and microstructure properties—XRD, FTIR, NMR, SEM as well as physico-chemical modifications of geopolymer composites subsequent to their exposures at elevated temperatures is reviewed in depth. The present scientific state-of-the-art review manuscript aimed to assess the fire and thermal resistance of geopolymer concrete along with its thermo-chemistry at a towering temperature in order to introduce this novel, most modern, user and eco-benign construction materials as potentially promising, sustainable, durable, thermal and fire-resistant building materials promoting their optimal and apposite applications for construction and infrastructure industries.

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Optimal Solutions for the Use of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Lands

Water ◽

10.3390/w13050585 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 585

Author(s):

Catalina Iticescu ◽

Puiu-Lucian Georgescu ◽

Maxim Arseni ◽

Adrian Rosu ◽

Mihaela Timofti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Chemical Characteristics ◽

Optimal Solutions ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

The Impact ◽

Made In

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture decreases the pressure on landfills. In Romania, massive investments have been made in wastewater treatment stations, which have resulted in the accumulation of important quantities of sewage sludge. The presence of these sewage sludges coincides with large areas of degraded agricultural land. The aim of the present article is to identify the best technological combinations meant to solve these problems simultaneously. Adapting the quality and parameters of the sludge to the specificity of the land solves the possible compatibility problems, thus reducing the impact on the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented sludge were monitored and optimal solutions for their treatment were suggested so as to allow that the sludge could be used in agriculture according to the characteristics of the soils. The content of heavy metals in the sewage sludge was closely monitored because the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer does not allow for any increases in the concentrations of these in soils. The article identifies those agricultural areas which are suitable for the use of sludge, as well as ways of correcting some parameters (e.g., pH), which allow the improvement of soil quality and obtained higher agricultural production.

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Monoclinic and Orthorhombic NaMnO2 for Secondary Batteries: A Comparative Study

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14051230 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 1230

Author(s):

Jessica Manzi ◽

Annalisa Paolone ◽

Oriele Palumbo ◽

Domenico Corona ◽

Arianna Massaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Parameters ◽

Reversible Capacity ◽

Beta Phase ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Positive Electrodes ◽

Detailed Structural Analysis ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Sodium Batteries ◽

The Impact ◽

First Time

In this manuscript, we report a detailed physico-chemical comparison between the α- and β-polymorphs of the NaMnO2 compound, a promising material for application in positive electrodes for secondary aprotic sodium batteries. In particular, the structure and vibrational properties, as well as electrochemical performance in sodium batteries, are compared to highlight differences and similarities. We exploit both laboratory techniques (Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical methods) and synchrotron radiation experiments (Fast-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction). Notably the vibrational spectra of these phases are here reported for the first time in the literature as well as the detailed structural analysis from diffraction data. DFT+U calculations predict both phases to have similar electronic features, with structural parameters consistent with the experimental counterparts. The experimental evidence of antisite defects in the beta-phase between sodium and manganese ions is noticeable. Both polymorphs have been also tested in aprotic batteries by comparing the impact of different liquid electrolytes on the ability to de-intercalated/intercalate sodium ions. Overall, the monoclinic α-NaMnO2 shows larger reversible capacity exceeding 175 mAhg−1 at 10 mAg−1.

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