Grain Size Analysis, Textural Characterisation and Depositional Environment of Turonian Amasiri Sandstone, Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria

Grain size analysis of Turonian Amasiri Sandstone in southern Benue Trough has been undertaken to determine the controversial depositional environment of the formation. The formation was first studied on outcrops and 26 representative samples were collected and subjected to particle size analysis in line with standard procedures for dry sieving. Various methods of environmental interpretation of grain size distribution data were applied to constrain the depositional of the sandstones. The result indicates that the sands are medium and coarse-grained with mean size ranging from 0.15 to 1.87φ and averaging 0.96 φ. The sandstones are moderately to poorly sorted with standard deviation values ranging from 0.72 to 1.38 φ and averaging 1.07 φ. They exhibit a wide range of distribution from strongly coarse skewed to strongly fine skewed with skewness values ranging from -2.31 to 1.52 φ and averaging -0.04 φ but indicate a narrow range of kurtosis from mesokurtic to leptokurtic distribution with values ranging from 0.99 to 3.49 φ and an average of 2.06 φ. The sediments have bimodal with minor polymodal and unimodal distribution with primary modal size of 1.2 φ. The bivariate plots of size statistical parameters indicate fluvial environment of deposition. However, linear discriminant function analysis and the interpretations of log-probability plots indicate deposition in a fluvial, beach, and shallow marine settings, and thus suggesting a possible deposition in high-energy transitional environment. The C-M pattern of the samples indicates that sediments were transported mainly by rolling and suspension with subordinate fractions moved by rolling as well as suspension. Thus, it is deduced that Amasiri Sandstone was deposited in fluvial, beach, and agitated shallow marine environments.

Defluoridation of Groundwater Using Formaldehyde-Treated Agricultural Waste - Wheat, Oats, And Pea Straw

The present study investigates the potential of acid-treated agricultural waste (Wheat, Oat, and Pea straw) for the defluoridation of groundwater following the chemical treatment using formaldehyde in 1:5 w/v ratio at 50℃. The effects of operational parameters (pH, dose, time, and initial fluoride concentration) were investigated in the batch mode. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to predicted and validated the experimental findings. The efficiency of developed adsorbents was compared with commercially available activated carbon (CAC) and found suitable for working at neutral pH conditions. The better applicability of Langmuir isotherm on adsorption data reflects monolayer adsorption over the homogeneous surface of adsorbents. Further, the experimental data can better be modeled by the pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.996). The simple synthesis technique and massive raw material availability made these adsorbents a promising and cost-effective tecnhiqe for removing the fluoride from groundwater.

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.

Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies of Arable Crop Farmers In Abia State, Nigeria

This study was set up to examine climate change and adaptation strategies of arable crop farmers in Abia State. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design with a sample population of 392 farmers across the seventeen Local Government Areas of Abia State. Chi Square statistics was used to test the study hypothesis. The study revealed that Climate change impact on arable crops is affecting farmer’s economy in Abia State. Evidences of climate change in the area, could be seen in the form of increase in temperature, change in rainfall pattern and intensity which has brought about a change in planting seasons, the study further revealed that The techniques/strategies adopted by arable crop famers in Abia State include cultivation of early maturing breeds of arable crop, crop diversification, changes in time of farm operation, change of farm location, rain water harvesting, diversification of income-generating activities and planting of drought-resistant varieties. The most predominant adaptation strategies practiced by arable crop farmers in Abia State are cultivation of early maturing breeds of arable crops, crop diversification and changes in time of farm operation and that there was seasonal variation in the choice of adaptation strategy adopted by farmers. The study however recommends that climate change impacts on arable crops as such agricultural activities that enhance climate change such as bush burning, total forest clearing should be discouraged. There is a need to adopt agro based environmental friendly techniques in crop production such as alley farming and that farmers should be encouraged to adopt the identified effective adaptation technique that are practicable for their location.

Strategy for The Transition Towards Conservation Agriculture Practices in Rice Cultivation Systems in Cuba

Cuban agriculture to achieve the sustainability of agricultural systems needs to initiate a transition process towards conservation agriculture practices, which implies a change in production systems and the technologies they use. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered a staple food for more than half of the world's population. However, the adverse effects of climate change, together with soil degradation and the scarcity of irrigation water threaten the sustainability of rice production under irrigated conditions [1, 2]. Intensive tillage practices have been shown to increase environmental pollution, deteriorate the soil and involve high water consumption [3, 4]. Therefore, conservation agriculture (CA) practices have been recommended to conserve resources and increase ecosystem services [2, 5]. The CA is an agricultural system that is characterized by the interrelation of three fundamental principles: to keep the soil permanently covered with crop residues or plant covers at least 30%, a minimum disturbance of the land and diversification of the species cultivated in rotation [6]. Some 140 thousand hectares of rice are planted in Cuba [7-9]. However, the low yields obtained require the importation of 400,000 tons of rice annually. A roadmap for the transition towards CA practices was recently adopted as the country's policy. But the current conditions of rice soils (characterized by low organic matter content, compaction and poor drainage), subjected to intensive (traditional) tillage practices for long periods of time (between 30 and 50 years), put at risk the implementation of the basic principles of CA and its adoption as an accepted practice by farmers.

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Categories Concentration in Soils Within the Vicinity Housing Heavy-Duty Diesel Generators in Three Universities in Port Harcourt South-South Nigeria

Total petroleum hydrocarbons pollution of soil samples randomly collected from three Nigeria Universities in Port Harcourt due to the use of heavy-duty diesel generators was studied to ascertains the level of concentration of the different hydrocarbons’ categories. The soil samples were collected at two different depths of 0.00-0.50m and 0.50-1.00m. The Universities were Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State University (RSU) and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). The different total petroleum hydrocarbons categories were Gasoline Range Organics (GRO), Diesel Range Organics (DRO) and Lube Oil Range. Soxhlet extraction method was used in extracting the samples and due column clean-up was performed for chromatographic analysis. Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector was used to determine the level of concentrations of the different categories of total petroleum hydrocarbons. The results showed that at 0.00-0.50m depth, IAUE was 4.42145, 945.4784, and 525.66919 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively, RSU was not detected, 494.44799 and 458.6715 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively and UNIPORT was 4.40920, 501.2246 and 467.71426 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively. At 0.50-1.00m depth IAUE was 2.75132, 596.35126, and 311.84451 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively, RSU was not detected, 298.06899 and 270.61619 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively and UNIPORT was 2.77780, 301.74701 and 276.88684 mg/Kg for GRO, DRO and lube oil range respectively. The level of soil contamination Showed that GRO > DRO > lube oil range. The observation showed that hydrocarbon pollution decreased with increase in depth. The level of DRO and lube oil range in the studied areas exceeded the limit acceptable and therefore adequate steps should be taken to remedy the situation so that it will not pose any health hazard to the workers operating the heavy-duty generators.

Characteristics of Mudbanks along the Southwest Coast of India

Mudbank is a unique phenomenon observed along the south-west coast of India among all the Indian coastal regions during the Southwest Monsoon Season. The scientific reasons behind the formation and its persistence are vague. Mudbank is considered as a boon to the fishermen of Kerala, as they are getting reasonable catches during the occurrence of mudbanks using indigenous boats from the calm sea, which otherwise is in a fury during the rough Southwest Monsoon Season. Since the region, the Arabian Sea, is significant as a carbon sink due to its very high productivity because of different coastal ocean features, variations in the smaller and highly restricted coastal processes due to climate change can have a significant impact on the rates of global warming. Here, we consolidate the previous publications on various aspects of mudbanks with the reports of the occurrence of mudbanks on the south-west coast of India. A model for the prediction of the formation and location of mudbanks, inclusive of all the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters involved, through an extensive study is much relevant as far as the socio-economic and food security significance is concerned. Here, we discuss the most conducive factors for the formation of mudbank and its characteristics with special reference to Alappuzha, where the frequency of occurrence of mudbanks is maximum among the Indian coastal regions.

Flood Risk Assessment of Communities to Flood Hazards in Central Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study examined the risk assessment of communities in the Central Niger Delta, Nigeria with a view to employing analytical hierarchical ranking process technique. The study considered the landuse, elevation, soil texture and proximity to active river channels as factors determining flood vulnerability (FV) while factors such as accessibility, social infrastructure, water supply, agriculture, commercial activities and disaster preparedness of communities were used for flood exposure (FE) using purposive sampling technique. Both FV and FE were combined together using UNION Module of ArcGIS 10.5 to produce flood risk map of the Central Niger Delta. Descriptive statistics using frequency and percentages were used for the data analysis. Findings revealed that 20.25%, 51.66% and 28.09% of the entire study area were lowly vulnerable, moderately vulnerable and highly vulnerable to flood. Similarly, 0.3%, 45.7% and 54.8% were lowly exposed, moderately exposed and highly exposed to flood. However, 14.3%, 28.3% and 57.4% of the study area had low flood risk, moderate flood risk and high flood risk respectively. The study concluded that majority of the area in the Central Niger Delta is risky to flood. It is recommended among others that channelization and dredging of River Niger Creeks in the study area are important in order for the river to accommodate more volume of water whenever there is excessive rainfall.

Influence of BaO on the catalytic properties and durability of Pd-CZLA for automobile exhaust

Co-precipitation was used to prepare CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3 (CZL) support, and impregnation was employed to load nano-aluminum sol and Pd to prepare a Pd-CZLA catalyst that can be directly used in car exhaust pipe for the secondary purification of exhaust gas. The specific surface area of the catalyst can reach 143.2 m2/g. At 400 0 C, the catalytic efficiency of the catalyst was 76.47%, 70.59%, and 75.41% for C3H8, CO, and NOx, respectively. After modification through doping with 8% BaO in nano-alumina, the catalyst has enhanced high-temperature stability and maintained its high catalytic activity after aging at 1100 0 C. Scanning electron micrograph showed that the high-temperature sintering of the catalyst is slowed down when modified by BaO addition. Combined barium oxide and nano-alumina acts as a stabilizer that prevents the crystalline phase transition of alumina at high temperature and further stabilizes its structure. This material also stabilizes Pd dispersion and improves CZA supportive protection at high temperature.

Maps, Earth Apps and Land Images: Different Tools for Different Skills

An analysis carried out on first (11-14) and second grade (14-18) Italian secondary school students and an in-depth analysis carried out in recent years, during the in the different stages of regional and national selections of the Earth Sciences Olympics, and particularly with the students participating in the learning week organized for who will make up the Italian team of the IESO -International Olympiad of Earth Science, highlighted widespread difficulties in the analysis of topographic maps. The decreasing diffusion of geography teaching in Italian schools, the increasing use of digital tools, apps and software, such as Google Earth and navigators, free and easy to use, has made the use of the topographic maps, and of the various thematic ones, among the students, substantially obsolete. If the use of digital tools has promoted digital skills, ease of orientation, even greater security in discovering new places, it is leading meanwhile to the loss of skills of observation, analysis and understanding of the context, that only the view of a large area included in a map and not in a few inches of a screen, can give. In reality, both resources constitute a formidable tool, not only for the discovery and knowledge of the territory, but for the growth of specific skills, which are crucial for the knowledge of a territory, but also indispensable in scientific research. In this research we analyse tools, models and pathways, which foresee the integration of the two resources, and which skills their integrated use can implement.