June 2014
Bahir Dar tannery effluent characterization and its impact on the head of Blue Nile River
A study was conducted to characterize Bahir Dar tannery effluent and determine its impact on the head of Blue Nile River using selected physicochemical parameters. Samples were taken from the direct effluent stream and four sampling sites (one upstream and three downstream) were selected along the river to determine its impact on the river. Samples were collected from October to March, 2010/11. Temperature, pH,...
June 2014
Recovery and characterization of poly(3-Hydroxybutyric acid) synthesized in Staphylococcus epidermidis
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are biodegradable polyesters accumulated intracellularly as energy resources by bacterial species. In this study, fermentation process for production of PHA is carried out using sesame oil as carbon source. We studied recovery of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) from Staphylococcus epidermidis by sodium hypochlorite digestion method. Recovered PHB sample was estimated by UV...
June 2014
Air quality assessment of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide levels in Blantyre, Malawi: A statistical approach to a stationary environmental monitoring station
Air quality in urban areas is a cause of concern because of increased industrial activities that contribute to large quantities of emissions. The study assess levels and variations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in Blantyre, Malawi using a stationary environmental monitoring station (EMS). Results show that CO level (2.47 ± 1.23 mg m-3) were below the Malawian...
June 2014
Determination of optimum growth conditions and biodiesel production from filamentous algae
Petroleum diesel combustion is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG). It is also a major source of other air contaminants including NOx, SOx, CO and volatile organic compounds. Algae have emerged as one of the most promising sources for biodiesel production. In this study, a higher algae growth rate was observed in the experiments with excess Na2SiO4, trace metals, Na2EDTA and excess vitamin solution, the increase was...
June 2014
Marine biotoxins and its detection
The incidences of intoxication due to the consumption of marine foods have been increasing in recent years. This is due to the presence of biotoxins in foods of marine origin. The biotoxins will be accumulated in the marine foods due to the consumption of toxic biota of marine origin. When this contaminated food is taken by the humans or animals, those toxins will be transferred to them causing intoxication and...
June 2014
A precision nutrient variability study of an experimental plot in Mukono Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Mukono, Uganda
The spatial soil fertility status of a 2.5 ha experimental plot was generated by mapping the soil nutrient concentration and fertility status using GIS kriging technique. The research was conducted in Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Mukono, Uganda in October 2013. Soil samples across the experimental plot were randomly taken for laboratory analysis of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium...
June 2014
Effect of heat build-up on carbon emissions in chimato compost piles
A study was conducted to determine impacts of heat build-up of chimato compost piles TD0, TD20, TD40, TD50, TD60, TD80 and TD100, made by blending maize stalks with 0, 20, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100% Tithonia diversifolia, respectively, on carbon losses and emissions during composting. Compost piles temperatures that determined heat built-up were obtained from previous studies. Organic carbon and total carbon of chimato...
June 2014
Assessment of environmental degradation of soil and groundwater: A case study of waste disposal in Benin West Moat - Ekenwan gully Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
The ancient Benin moat of 2.00 to 5.00 m width, and 10 to 30 m depth almost concentrically dug round the City, is supposed to be an important socio-cultural artifact if well preserved. It has served its good purpose of defense and protection of the ancient Bini civilization. Now, modern urbanization pressure has defaced and is degrading the moat and its environs through house development, soil quarrying, gullying, flood...
June 2014
Impacts of climate change on invasive Lantana camara L. distribution in South Africa
Climate change and invasive species are now seen as two major contributors to global biodiversity change. The combined effects of these two factors have serious implications for biodiversity and agriculture. Lantana camara L. (sensu lato) (lantana) is a woody shrub that is highly invasive in many countries of the world including South Africa where it has a profound impact on biodiversity, water resources and...
June 2014
Culture-dependent characterization of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria in selected crude oil-impacted sites in Bodo, Ogoniland, Nigeria
This investigation was carried out to characterize microbial communities in selected crude oil polluted sites in Bodo community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 0.7 to 1.37x107 cfu/g and 0.2 to 5.9x106 cfu/ml while counts of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria ranged from 0.1 to 8.0 x 106 and 0.2 to 7.5 x 105 cfu/ml for soil, sediment and water,...
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