IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-9 ~ Issue-12 ~ December 2015

Abstract: Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The present threat of desertification in the sahel region of Nigeria has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive. The objectives of the research paper were to map out and analyse the land cover changes at a scale 1: 100,000 from the satellite images of 1986, 1999 and 2009; to establish and appraise the relationship between rainfall and temperature on desertification and to assess the role of human activities to desertification of the study area.

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Developing Countries Report R2: 1979, Stockholm, Sweden, 50 p.
[3]. FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization, United Nations) (1984).Definition and general approach to the problem. In: Sustainable
Development of Drylands and Combating Desertification. A Position Paper.FAO, Rome.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/V0265E/v0265e01.htm (viewed 23/7/2006).
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York. pp 129.
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UNESCO/UNEP. (mimeo) pp 16.
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a case study. Sys.Prac. 5:629-647.
[8]. Wessels, K. J. (2006). Monitoring Land Degradation in Southern Africa by Assessing Changes in Primary Productivity.Ph.D.
Thesis, University of Maryland, USA.pp 159.

Abstract: Numerous activities take place around jetties and some of these may impact negatively on the aquatic environment. There is thus the need for a study of the levels of the physico-chemical characteristics of the sediments around jetties from which aquatic invertebrates feed on. Sediment samples from two jetties (local and industrial) in Okirika, Rivers State, Nigeria were sampled for six months (February – July, 2014). Standard methods, including acid digestion, toluene extraction and spectrophotometric methods were employed in the determination of the levels of the parameters. Fe and Cr levels, in both jetties, were higher than national and international standards of (1.0 mgkg-1) and (0.05mgkg-1) respectively. On the other hand, Zn levels in both jetties were within the permissible limits (50 – 300mgkg-1).

[1]. Abagwa,O.E. and Okpokwasili,G.S.C. (2010).Pollution studies on harbours and Jetties in Nigeria. African journal of
Biotechnology 10(11),2058- 2065.
[2]. Abowei, J.F.N. and Sikoki, F.D. (2005). Water pollution Management and control. Double Trust Publication Company, Port
Harcourt, ISBN: 978-30380-2016, pp 236.
[3]. Adams, W.J., Kimerle, R.A., and Barnett, J.W. (1992). Sediment quality and oaquatic life assessment. Environmental science and
Technology 26,1865- 1875.
[4]. APHA (2005). Standard Methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 21st Edition.Washington D.C.
[5]. Burton, G.A. and Scott, K.J. (1992).Sediment Toxicity: Evaluating their niche in ecological assessments. Environmental Science
and Technology 26, 2068-2075.
[6]. Chindah, C.A., Braide, S.A. and Sibeudu, C.O. (2004). Distribution of Hydrocaborn and heavy metals in sediment and crustacean
(Shrimps-Penaeus notialis) from Bonny/New Calabar River Estuary ,Niger Delta. African Journal of Environmental Assessment
and Management 9,1-17.

Abstract: Textile wastewater generated from different stages of textile processing contains huge amount of pollutants that are very harmful to the environment if released without proper treatment. The present paper describes the application of rhizofiltration based wastewater and sludge technology with the primary objective of converting semisolid effluent into eco-friendly safe water. The research on the Helianthus annuu (L.) indicates the heavy metals uptake at different concentrations such as 25%, 50% and 75%. The growth
parameter of sunflower like root and shoot length (10.3 ± 0.2 and 38.5 ± 0.1 L), fresh and dry weight (2.85 ± 0.2 and 0.90 ± 0.1 g) recorded was prominently greater in 50%. Initial and final metal analysis was done in all the concentration. It was concluded that the absorption of lead was found to be the maximum in 75% (0.76 ± 0.02 ppm) on comparison with the initial level (1.78 ± 0.01 ppm).
Keywords: Rhizofiltration, Heavy Metal, Helianthus annuus, Textile Dye Wastewater Sludge (TDWS).

[1] K. Ranganathan, K. Karunagaran, and D.C. Sharma, Recycling of wastewaters of textile dyeing industries using advanced treatment
technology and cost analysis-case studies, Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 50, 2007, 306-318.
[2] V. Dushenkov, P.B.A.N. Kumar, H. Motto, and I. Raskin,. Rhizofiltration: the use of plants to remove heavy metals from aqueous
streams, Environ. Sci. Tech. 29, 1995, 1239-1245.
[3] S. Dushenkov, Y. Kapulnik, M. Blaylock, B. Sorochisky, I. Raskin, and B. Ensley, Phytoremediation: A novel approach to an old
problem, In: D.L. Wise (Ed), Global Envir. Biotech., (Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam, 1997), 563-572.
[4] N. Roongtanakiat, and P. Chairoj, Uptake potential of some heavy metals by vetiver grass, Kasetsart J. Nat. Sci, 35, 2001, 46-50.
[5] S. Tang, L. Xi, J. Zheng, and H. Li, Response to elevated CO2 of Indian Mustard and Sunflower growing on copper contaminated
soil, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 71, 2003, 988-997.
[6] E. Nehnevajova, R. Herzig, G. Federer, K.H. Erismann, and J.P. Schwitzguebel, Screening of sunflower cultivars for metal
phytoextraction in a contaminated field prior to mutagenesis, Inter. J. Phytorem., 7, 2005, 337-349.
[7] E.M. Herrero, A. Lopez-Gonzalvez, M.A. Ruiz, J.A. Lucas-Garcia, and C. Barbas, Uptake and distribution of zinc, cadmium, lead
and copper in Brassica napus var. oleifera and Helianthus annuus grown in contaminated soils, Inter. J. Phytorem., 5, 2003, 153-
167.

Abstract: Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) juice was produced and pasteurized at 85oC in a hot water bath; 10% sugar syrup was added to the juice samples to study the influence of drying methods (oven and sun drying) on the sensory, physical, chemical properties and mineral composition of beetroot juice. The sensory properties analysed included taste, aroma, colour, mouth feel and overall acceptability. Drying methods showed no significant effect (p<0.05) in all the sensory attributes of sun and oven dried juice samples compared to fresh juice except sun dried sample with significantly lower taste value. Total solids, pH, viscosity and sugar content were the physical properties studied with values which ranged between 8 – 10%, 6.9 – 7.4, 0.1 – 0.3pa.S and 29.3 – 34.2%, respectively with showed no significant effect. In terms of the chemical properties such as moisture, ash, protein and carbohydrate studied, a significant influence (p<0.05) was not also recorded as a result of the drying methods. Mineral composition of the juice ranged from 228.4 – 874.7mg for potassium, 14.4 – 19.0mg iron, 3.3 – 4.2mg and 33.2 – 99.2mg for calcium and magnesium, respectively and all were significantly affected by drying method. Nitrate had the same value of 0.005mg in all the juice samples.
Keywords: Beetroot, juice, drying methods, sensory, physical, chemical, mineral properties

[1] Grubben G.J.H & Denton O.A (2004). Plant resource of tropical Africa 2. Vegetable PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Buckhuy
Leiden CTA Wageningen.
[2] Thompson J.K (2001). Yield evaluation of beetroot varieties. Journal of Agricultural Technology, 4, 5-9.
[3] Rehman H & Ali J.O (2000). Domestication of plants in the old world in the origin and spread of cultivated plants in West Asi a,
Europe and the Nile valley. Oxford (Oxford shrine), Oxford University Press, 200.
[4] Maheswari R.K, Parmar V & Joseph L (2013). Latent therapeutic gains of beetroot juice. World Journal of Pharmacentical
Research, 2(4), 820-840.
[5] Kenjale A.A & Ham K.L.T (2011). Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances exercise performance in peripheral arterial disease.
Journal of Applied Physiology, 110(5), 1125-1131.
[6] Webb A.J, Patel N, Loukogeorgakiss S, Okorie M, Aboudz, Misra S, Rashid R, Miall P, Deanfield J, Benjamin N, MacAkister R,
Hobbs A.J & Ahluwalia A (2008). Acute blood pressure lowery, vasoprotective and antiplatelet of dietary nitrate via bioconversion
to nitrate, Hypertension, 51(3), 784-790.

Abstract: The concentrations and toxicological effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) in some creeks of Niger Delta (Nigeria) were assessed taking into cognizance the industrial concentrations of the Delta and the toxic effects of these pollutants believed to be discharged into the creeks from industrial operations. The Eleme and Okrika creeks were sampled out for the analyses. Water sample from these creeks were collected and extracted for PAHs using liquid-liquid partition with dichloromethane. The purified hydrocarbons extract were analyzed for hydrocarbon concentrations using Gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detection. Results obtained from the studies showed that the concentrations of PAHs ranged between 0.008 and 0.249mg/l. From the results, it was observed that the concentrations of the pollutants were higher than the USEPA recommended limits of between 0.20 and 400ppb for drinking water. Some of the PAHs recorded were those that are toxic even at low concentrations and they were prominent near the point source.

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[2]. Baran, S., Olesczuk, P. &Baranowska, E. (2003). Degradation of soil environment in the post flooding area: Content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and S-Triazine herbicides. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Health 38B (6): 799-812.
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Abstract: In Indian urban set up, mobile phone towers are a major source of electromagnetic radiations, which can be mutagenic. India's permissible limit for radiation levels from mobile phone towers is 900 times higher than the safe limit. High environmental concentration of radio frequency radiations may place biological systems under high risk of hazardous radiation effects. The present study focuses on determination of effect of electromagnetic radiations emitted by mobile towers on E. coli. Different locations in a Residential complex with three mobile towers installed in vicinity were selected as sites for exposure. Log phase culture of laboratory strain of E. coli (OD. = 0.1) was prepared and exposed at the selected sites for maximum period of 30 hours and checked for viability and phenotypic mutations at different time intervals.

[1]. Sujoy Guha, Sudarshan Neogi, Girish Kumar (2011) Report on cell tower radiation Hazard.
[2]. S Sivani*, D Sudarsanam (2012), Impacts of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) from cell phone towers and wireless devices on biosystem and ecosystem – a review. Review Article Biology and Medicine, 4 (4): 202–216
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[5]. B. Segatore, D. Setacci,, and R. Iorio Evaluations of the Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Growth and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, NLM PubReader view

Abstract: This study examined impact of coal mining in Enugu on the surrounding water quality. Mine tunnels empty their discharged water into Nyaba and Ekulu Rivers within the Enugu coal mined area. Twenty five (25) water samples from the tunnels and the two Rivers were analyzed in an attempt to reflect the impact of coal mining on the surrounding water quality. Various physico-chemical characteristics of mine water as analyzed include, pH, alkalinity, acidity, hardness, total solids, sulphate, chloride, magnesium, calcium and iron. Trace metals analyzed include, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, As, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe.

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Abstract: Refuse is one of the recent environmental problems facing developing countries. The capabilities of GIS technology can be deployed to overcome the issues pertaining to dump sites management. In this paper the emphasis is to develop a system using GIS database to monitor the activities of man toward generation and waste disposal. The ability to take care of urban esthetic is concerned urban planners to fully apply geographic information system in designing, planning, and management of geodatabase.

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Abstract: India, a growing economy and world's largest democracy, has population exceeding 1.2 billion. Out of this huge number, 63.6% form working age group. More than 90% work in the informal economy, mainly agriculture and services. Less than 10% work in the organized sector; mainly industry, mining and some services. The occupational safety and health (OSH) scenario in India is complex. Unprecedented growth and progress go hand in hand with challenges such as huge workforce in unorganized sector, availability of cheap labor, meager public spending on health, inadequate implementation of existing legislation, lack of reliable OSH data, shortage of OSH professionals, multiplicity of statutory controls, apathy of stakeholders and infrastructure problems.

[1]. Wilburn SQ. Needle sticks and sharps injury prevention. Online J Issues Nursing 2004; 9 : Manuscript 4.
[2]. Makary MA, Al-Attar A, Holzmueller CG, Sexton JB, Syin D, Gilson MM, et al. Needlestick injuries among surgeons in training. N Engl J Med 2007; 356 : 2693-9.
[3]. Au E, Gossage JA, Bailey SR. The reporting of needlestick injuries sustained in theatre by surgeons: are we under-reporting? J Hosp Infect 2008; 70 : 66-70.
[4]. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert: Preventing needlestick injuries in healthcare settings. Washington DC: NIOSH 1999.
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Abstract: Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) are a major problem and Iraq is considered one of the affected countries in the Middle East, facing an increment in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, especially SDS. The BSC-DREAM8b v2.0 model was used to simulate dust outbreak for West Asia centered over Iraq for the period (1-6) June 2012 which was intense and considered as natural hazard. To evaluate the performance of the model, quantitative and qualitative evaluations were done to verify the performance of the BSC-DREAM8b model as weather and dust forecasting tool by using ERA-I reanalysis, Ground-based and space-borne observations data. Also the source mask was used to cover the region below 35º N latitude (SM35) and then it was extended to cover the region below 45º N latitude(SM45).

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[2] P. Knippertz and J. W. Stuut, Mineral Dust A Key Player in the Earth System (Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg New York London, 2014).
[3] J. E. Penner, M. Andreae, H. Annegarn, L. Barrie, J. Feichter, D. Hegg, A. Jayaraman, R. Leaitch, D. Murphy, J. Nganga and G. Pitari, Aerosols, Their Direct and Indirect Effects. Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (C. A. Johnson. Cambridge, New York, Cambridge University Press, 2001) 289-348.

Abstract: 235 endemic plant taxa located in the province of Kastamonu in the Euro-Siberian phytogeographic region were classified according to the IUCN categories. Respectively, three familes; Astraceae, Fabaceae, and Scrophulariaceous have the most endemic taxons (species, subspecies, and variety) within. In addition, Astragalus is the leading genus followed by Verbascum and Hieracium in terms of richness in endemic taxa. When taxa evaluated according to the IUCN categories; 2 taxa in CR, 21 taxa in FR, 24 taxa in VI, 142 taxa in LC, 28 taxa in NT, and 9 taxa in DD category were identified. Furthermore, six taxa are protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Keywords: CITES, Endemic, Flora, IUCN, Kastamonu.

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