IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-8 ~ Issue-12 ~ December 2014

Abstract: The natural radioactivity due to Uranium, Thorium and Potassium in soil, and water contributes to the radiation dose received by human beings significantly. For assessing the environmental radiological impact to the public it is essential to evaluate the activity levels of these nuclides. Results of the gamma ray spectrometric measurements, carried out for natural radioactivity levels due to , 226Ra , 226Th , 40K and alpha, beta activity levels in sediment, water and fish collected from Rajakkamangalamestury were determined. The alpha and beta activities are found to be greater in sediment with 114.764 Bq/kg and 357.25 Bq/kg respectively. The K 40 potassium content is found to be higher in fish with 73.81 Bq/kg than in sediment and water. The results of these investigations are discussed detail in this paper.
Keywords: Radioactive nuclides, sediment, water, fish.

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Abstract: The ability of crab shell (Scylla serata) and cockle shell (Anadara granosa) to remove Pb, and Cr from industrial effluent was examined to determine its removal efficiency. This research was conducted under constant pH around 4 under room temperature and all samples were shacked to 150 rpm. Other factors like amount of adsorbent, types of adsorbent and time equilibrium was examined along this research. The highest uptake of heavy metals recorded is by crab shells compare to cockle shells. All heavy metals except chromium reached equilibrium after 60 minutes time. The most of heavy metals was adsorbed by amount of 1.0 g compare to other amount of adsorbent (0.5 g and 1.0 g). The amount of adsorbent and type of adsorbent were strongly correlated by amount of heavy metals adsorption. (p < 0.001). Chromium was the highest heavy metals that were removed in industrial effluent. The highest reading was recorded as 97.45%. CaCO3 and chitin play an important role to adsorb heavy metals in industrial effluent. Although, there are many other particles existed in industrial effluent but still crab shells and cockles can be used as biomass adsorbent to remove heavy metals in industrial effluent.
Keywords: Lead, chromium, crab shell, cockle shell, adsorbent, industrial effluent.

[1] M.Y. Lee, J.M Park, and J.W. Yang. Micro precipitation of lead on the surface of crab shell particles, Process Biochemistry, 32, 1997, 671–677.
[2] Kim, D.S., Pb2+ removal from aqueous solution using crab shell treated by acid and alkali. Bioresource Technology, 94 (3), 2004, 345-348.
[3] Kamsia, B., Abdullah, H., Siti Rohayu Mohd. Hashim dan Abdullah, N., Removal of lead(Pb) from aqueous solution using crab (Portunus pelagicus) and (Anadara granosa) shell waste. Proceedings of the 2nd SANREM Conference, 2006.
[4] Chu, K.H., Removal of Copper from aqueous solution by chitosan in prawn shell: Adsorption Equilibrium and Kinetics. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 90, 2002, 77-95.
[5] Vijayaraghavan, K. Palanivelu, K. Velan, M., Crab shell-based biosorption technology for treatment of nickel-bearing electroplating industrial effluents. Journal of Hazardous, 119, 2005, 251-254.

Abstract: The concentrations of mercury, lead, nickel, vanadium and cadmium of a brackish water system in the Niger Delta were assessed in order to determine seasonal diagenetic changes and how such changes affect their correlations with water quality parameters. Nine locations were sampled at two monthly intervals for a period of one year. Solvent extraction using ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was employed for the extraction of trace metals. Buck scientific model 200A Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and air-acetylene flame were used for their analyses, except for mercury, which was analyzed by cold vapour technique.

[1]. Abam, A. (1999) The Okrika Kingdom: An Analysis of the Dynamics of Historical Events. 1st Ed. Springfield Publishers, Owerri, Nigeria, pp. 2-12.
[2]. Akcay, H., Oguz, A. and Karapire, C. (2003) Study of heavy metal pollution and speciation in Buyak Menderes and Gediz river sediments, Water Res, 37, 813- 822.
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Abstract: Along with the increasing demand on exterior wall cladding as a protective cover for the interior elements and an indicator for modernity and architectural innovative, comes the need to develop new cladding materials that can replace the old ones and overcome their setbacks. This paper discuss the possibility of replacing stone by textured concrete as a cladding material in order to overcome the main challenges face stone cladding by comparing them together. The comparison was made based on the main requirements of the cladding materials namely; economic, environmental, social, functional and structural aspects.

Keywords:Textured concrete; stone; cladding

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[5]. da Costa, M., (2011). Quality Control Manual for Stone Cladding Facades. M.Sc. Thesis Extended Abstract [6]. de Camposinhos , R., (2014). Stone Cladding Engineering. springer, 2014 Edition [7]. Donaldson, B., (1991). Exterior Wall Systems: Glass and Concrete Technology, Design, and Construction. ASTM International, 1991 Edition

Abstract: Occupational Health Hazard which is different from Occupational Safety Hazard is prevalently on the rise as industrialization increases in the global world. And identifying them in order to prevent and control them is very imperative to the health and well-being of the workers. The health and well-being of the workforce of a Company which is their most valuable asset should not be toyed with by the Management. Health Hazards which could result in the development of diseases and sicknesses is categorized into Physical Health Hazard, Chemical Health Hazard, Biological Health Hazard, Mechanical/Ergonomic Health Hazard and Psychosocial Health Hazard. These Health Hazards, usually, could be associated with most industrialized Organization and the Oil and Gas Refinery is not left out.

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[2]. Aliyu A.A and Saidu S. (2011). Pattern of Occupational Health Services and Safety among Workers Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Kaduna, Nigeria: Continental J. Tropical Medicine 5 (1), pp. 1 – 5.
[3]. Aliyu A. A and Shehu A.U. Occupational Hazards and Safety Measures among Stone Quarry Workers in Northern Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Practitioner. 2006: vol. 50: No.2: 42-47.
[4]. Allender, A. & Spradley, B.W. (1996) Community Health Nursing Concepts and Practice.
[5]. Alli B.O (2008). Fundamental Principles of Occupational Health and Safety. International Labour Organization (Geneva) 1(2), pp 51 – 88.
[6]. Asogwa, S.E. (2007). A Guide to Occupational Health Practice in Developing Countries. 3 rd Edition. Enugu Snaap Press Ltd.
[7]. Asuzu M.C. Social Awareness of Nigerian Workers concerning occupational health and compensation regulations. Nigerian Medical Journal. 1992:23(3) 120-123.

Abstract: An investigation was carried on species of microorganisms associated with decayed tubers of Irish potatoes in storage in Plateau State, Nigeria. Three batches of decayed potatoes were collected from three different storage depots: Bokkos, Bukuru and Jos. The decayed portions of potatoes from each of the three experimental batches were aseptically cut out from the non-decayed areas of the potatoes with the aid of sterile blades. It was mixed up and further divided into two 2 halves. Each half of the experimental samples was plated out on Nutrient Agar (NA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) using serial dilution and soil plate methods. The resultant culture plates were incubated at 25±2oC and examined after 24-48 hours for the development bacteria and yeast colonies and after 4-7 days for the presence of fungal colonies. A total of thirty-nine (39) species of microorganisms made up of eight (8) species of bacteria, three (3) species of yeast and twenty-eight (28) species of fungi were isolated from the decayed potato tubers. The genera that had the highest microbial species included Aspergillus, Lactobacillus and Fusarium. The isolates also contained mesophilic, thermotolerant and thermophilic species. The implications of the results obtained in terms of potato production in Nigeria have been discussed.

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Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the possible effect of Chromium (Cr6+) stress on the rate of germination, growth, total chlorophyll, protein, and proline content in the seedling of Macrotyloma unifloroum Lam. and Cucumis sativus L. Upon exposure to graded levels of Cr+6 toxicity by using liquid culture medium. Seedling of both plants exhibited a gradual decline in the growth, total chlorophyll content, protein content along with enhanced proline content with increasing levels of Cr+6. Rate of germination was 68% in case of Macrotyloma unifloroum Lam.

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[2] Y. Rouphael, M. Cardarelli, E. Reab, and G. Colla. Grafting of cucumber as a means to minimize copper toxicity, Environment And Experimental Botany, 63, 2008, 49-58.

[3] Z. Shi, S. Tao, B. Pan, W. Fan, X.C. He, Q. Zuo, S.P. Wu, B.G. Li, J. Cao, W.X. Liu, F.L. Xu, X.J. Wang, W.R. Shen, and P.K. Wong, Contamination of rivers in Tianjin, China by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Environmental Pollution, 134, 2005, 97-111.

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[5] Fu. Jianjie, Z. Qunfang, L. Jiemin, L. Wei, W. Thanh, Z. Qinghua and J. Guibin, High levels of heavy metals in rice from a typical E-waste recycling area in southeast China and its potential risk to human health, Chemosphere, 71, 2008, 1269-1275.

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Abstract: Biomass technology is a technology which has great potentials in helping mankind surmounts some of the challenges of the 21st century. These challenges include; waste management, inadequate energy and food security. However, it is facing a number of teething roadblocks, which include the fact that it is slow. A number of researchers in the field have observed that organic loading rate (OLR) affects biogas generation under anaerobic conditions. Hence, this study seeks to identify the optimum OLR for biogas generation. Six (6) fifty (50) kilogramme capacity prototypes of Chinese fixed dome bioreactor (CFDB), labelled 1 through 6, were used to investigate the effect of OLR on biogas generation. The physicochemical properties of the cow dung sample were determined.

[1]. D.S. Chianese, C.A. Rotz, and T.L. Richard, Simulating Methane Emissions from Dairy Farms, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), St. Joseph, MI. 2008, Paper No. 084098.
[2]. T. Al Seadi, D. Rutz, H. Prassl, M. Köttner, T. Finsterwalder, S. Volk, and R. Janssen, Biogas Handbook (University of Southern Denmark: Esbjerg, Niels Bohrs Vej 9 – 10, DK – 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark, 2008)
[3]. L.T. Angenent, K. Karim, M.H. Al-Dahhan, B.A. Wrenn, and R. Domiguez-Espinosa, Production of bioenergy and biochemicals from industrial and agricultural wastewater. Trends in Biotechnology, 22, 2004, 477-485.
[4]. E. Salminen, and J. Rintala, Anaerobic digestion of organic solid poultry slaughterhouse waste – A review. Bioresource Technology, 83, 2002, 13-26.
[5]. R. Alvarez, S. Villca, and G. Lidén, Biogas production from llama and cow manure at high altitude. Biomass and Bioenergy, 30, 2006, 66-75.
[6]. H.M. El-Mashad, G. Zeeman, W.K.P. van Loon, G.P.A. Bot and G. Lettinga, Effect of temperat

Abstract: Oil and gas plant is a chaotic web of equipment, piping, buildings e.t.c. The costing of this plant means costing of the processing machines, equipment, pipes etc and other electro-mechanical components including buildings and civil works infrastructure which form the basis of procurement and management of the fluid process. This study reviews the basic considerations, activities and appropriate steps for estimating oil and gas projects. It identified the aloofness of the oil industry and inadequate cost management practices for the sector which controls the commanding height of the Nigerian economy. It recommends among others that Quantity surveyors as the country's construction cost 'watchdog' should in liaison with other professionals exercise effective cost management of process projects as is done by cost engineers abroad to ensure sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy.

Keywords: Cost Estimate, cost management, sustainability.

[1]. NEEDS, National economic empowerment and development strategy, National Planning Commission, Abuja, 2004.
[2]. U.O. Ajator, Financial engineering and Project Risk Management Imperatives for Professional quantity Surveyors: Invited paper presented at the Annual Conference of NIQS Enugu State chapter held at the Sunshine Quest House 8-9th Aug. 2013.
[3]. U.O. Ajator, Total cost management of infrastructural projects (Ezu Books Ltd, Enugu-Nigeria, 2012).
[4]. U.O. Ajator, Development projects appraisal–practical feasibility/viability studies guide (Ezu Books Ltd. Nigeria, 2012)
[5]. U.O. Ajator, Project cost control fundamentals (Rojoint Communication Services, 2012).