Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences

Geochemical Analysis Of Petroleum Contamination In Selected Areas In The Calabar River Mudflats, Southeastern Nigeria

2025-05-30T03:48:38+00:00

This study investigates the contamination of sediments along the Calabar River mudflats in southeastern Nigeria, based on hydrocarbon pollution from anthropogenic activities, such as industrial waste, untreated sewage, oil spills, and agricultural runoff. The aim is to assess the extent of contamination by examining the levels of total hydrocarbon content (THC), soluble organic matter (SOM), and petroleum-derived biomarkers at three locations: Adiabo Beach, Esuk Utan, and Nsidung Beach. Sediment samples were collected from these sites and analyzed for THC, SOM, and specific biomarkers using gas chromatography. Results indicate high levels of THC, with Esuk Utan exhibiting the highest concentration of 512.8 mg/kg, followed by Nsidung Beach (365.4 mg/kg), and Adiabo Beach (278.9 mg/kg). SOM values were similarly elevated, especially at Esuk Utan (15.4%), and the analysis of biomarkers revealed significant petroleum contamination, particularly at Esuk Utan, with a pristane/phytane ratio of 4.5, indicative of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. The study shows that the sediment quality in the Calabar River mudflats is significantly impacted by various pollution sources, with Esuk Utan being the most affected. The results underscore the need for enhanced monitoring and management of industrial, sewage, and oil-related discharges in the region. A key recommendation is the need to implement strict regulations on industrial and sewage waste management in order to mitigate further ecological degradation and protect aquatic life.

Influence of simulated acid soil ph (4.0) on proximate and elemental composition of phaseolus lunatus (linn.) (lima bean), amended with agricultural lime and organic manure

2025-05-30T03:55:00+00:00

This study examines the impact of acidic soil conditions, specifically at pH 4.0, on the proximate and elemental composition of Phaseolus lunatus (Lima bean) and the effectiveness of agricultural lime and organic manure as soil amendments. The experiment was laid in a 1×1×4 factorial and data for all parameters were analyzed using analysis of variance. Growth on the simulated acid soil was achieved by irrigating soil with acidified water, simulated by mixing sulphuric and nitric acids in a 2:1 ratio. The simulated acid soil was subsequently treated with agricultural lime and organic manure prior to planting, with 50 g of each amendment mixed with 5 kg of each soil. Proximate such as moisture content, protein, fat, fiber, and ash, while macro and micronutrient contents in the harvested beans were carried out. Results of physico-chemical properties revealed that acidic soils amended with a combined treatment of agricultural lime and organic manure improved the soil pH towards neutrality (from 4.0 to 7.65). Mineral nutrients analysis revealed a significant (P<0.05) improvement in content for P. lunatus grown on soils amended with organic manure and a combination of agricultural lime and organic manure. The mineral composition was comparable, calcium was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Lima beans grown on unamended acidic soils (pH 4.0) with values ranging from 2022.3% to 5962.3% compared to amended soils values of 1326.3 % to 1381.3%. The application of agricultural lime effectively raised soil pH and improved the nutrient composition of the beans, while organic manure enhanced nutrient availability and improved overall plant health. The combined application of both amendments resulted in the highest nutritional values, indicating a synergistic effect in ameliorating the negative impacts of soil acidity. P. lunatus had higher carbohydrates and moisture content (p<0.05) under the different amended soils. The results of the elemental composition revealed that P. lunatus is rich in macro and micro nutrients. This study has shown the importance of appropriate soil management strategies for enhancing the nutritional quality of Phaseolus lunatus in acid induced soil. The study also revealed that these amendments not only enhanced the nutrients composition of Phaseolus lunatus but also positively impacted the soil physico-chemical properties and nutrients availability.

Analysis Of Clinical Cases Of Respiratory Tract Infections At Ikpe Annang General Hospital: Effect Of Time-Related Variables

2025-05-30T06:34:09+00:00

This work was particularly focused on the impact of time-related variables on the incidence of respiratory tract infections at Ikpe Annang General Hospital, Akwa Ibom State using monthly clinical cases of respiratory tract infections spanning from 2013 to 2022. The data were categorized into quarters/seasons of the year and presented on bar charts to assess the magnitude of respiratory tract infections. High prevalent of respiratory tract infections in the first quarter of the year was revealed. Moreover, common cold and bronchitis were the most frequently diagnosed respiratory infections. There were incidences of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in both dry and wet seasons, but LRTIs were very rampant during the wet season. Chi-square tests of independence and correlation matrices were used to determine the interaction between the time-related variables and incidence of respiratory tract infections. The results revealed that respiratory tract infections are associated with the quarters/seasons of the year and that epiglottitis is linked to pharyngitis, while bronchitis is related to tuberculosis.

Occurrence And Abundance Of Phytobenthos In The Intertidal Zone Of The Calabar River, Nigeria

2025-05-30T04:08:32+00:00

An investigation was conducted on the occurrence and abundance of phytobenthos in the intertidal mudflats and sandbars of the Calabar River, Nigeria, for three month (May – July 2021). Total of 12 samples (6 each from mudflats and sandbars) were collected on bi-weekly basis for the three months and used for this study. The Samples were collected during lowtides when the mudflats and sandbars were exposed, by scrapping about 1cm² of the surface layers of the mudflats and sandbars using a hand trowel at Nsidung beach located between Latitude 4⁰57^’0^”- 4⁰ 58’ 30” N and Longitiude 8⁰ 18” 0’ - 8⁰ 19” 30’ E. The collected samples were stored in 250ml amber glass bottles, preserved in 10% formaldehyde solution and transported to the Biological Oceanography Laboratory, University of Calabar Nigeria for analysis. In the laboratory samples were analysed by addition of 1-3mls of Lugols iodine solution and subjected to microscopy using x10 objectives. The present study is aimed at identifying i) the different species of the phytobenthos in the mudflats and sandbars, ii) the commonest and most abundant phytobenthos in the mudflats and sandbars, iii) the month of high abundance of the phytobenthos in the mudflats and sandbars, and iv) to assess which of the two ecotones has higher abundance of the phytobenthos in the Calabar River, Nigeria, during the period of study. Phytobenthos cells were identified using standard schemes and atlases and data analysed empirically and statistically. Phytobenthic cells abundance in each of the two ecotones were recorded during each month of sampling. The intertidal mudflats were richer in phytobenthos with 903 (86.91%) cells than the sandbars with 136 (13.09%) cells. The month of May was generally richer in phytobenthos in both ecotones with 344 cells (mudflats) and 58 (sandbars). This was followed by June with 317 cells in the mudflats and 46 cells in the sandbars and July with 242 cells in the mudflats and 32 cells in the sandbars. The Bacillariophyceae were the most abundant phytobenthos with 394 (43.63%) cells in the mudflats and 59 (43.38%) cells in the sandbars, with the least abundant being the Rhodophyceae with 52(5.76%) cells in the mudflats and 7 (5.15%) cells in the sandbars.

The present study strongly recommends further studies of the mudflats and sandbars of the Calabar River, particularly the rate of primary productivity, to enhance the ecological understanding of the primary productivity of these very important ecotones.

Physico-Chemical Studies Of A Tropical Urban Stream In Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria

2025-05-30T04:16:05+00:00

Essiere-Ebom stream is a tropical urban stream in Calabar South Local Government Area, approximately 155m from Nsidung Beach area of the Calabar River, Nigeria. The stream water is used majorly by the inhabitants of the area for recreational activities, domestic purposes and support of aquatic life. The stream water was therefore analysed for physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and nutrient (Phosphate and nitrate) to ascertain its suitability for the purpose it is being used for when compared with permissible limits of WHO and FEPA. From the results of the study, surface water temperature ranged between 26.22 – 29.46⁰C, with a mean of 27.38±1.41⁰C. Dissolved oxygen was observed to range between 4.24–5.26mg/l, with a mean of 4.87±0.37mg/l, pH ranged between 7.24– 7.52, with a mean of 7.39±0.12, conductivity ranged between 144.32 – 146.43 µs/cm, with a mean of 145.02 ±1.02 µs/cm while phosphate concentration ranged between 0.028–0.048mg/l, with a mean of 0.041± 0.008mg/l and nitrate ranged between 0.044–0.049mg/l, with a mean of 0.0448 ± 0.002mg/l. All parameters analysed were within the WHO and FEPA permissible limits for unpolluted tropical freshwater bodies meant for domestic use and recreational activities in addition to suitability for the sustenance of aquatic life.

Cloud Security Using Crypto-Shredding For Secure Data Deletion: A Reduction In Cyber Security Risks

2025-05-30T04:23:53+00:00

Cloud computing has revolutionized data management, offering scalability and efficiency. However, it also presents significant security challenges, particularly in data deletion. Traditional deletion methods often leave residual data that can be recovered, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. Ensuring complete and irreversible data disposal is critical for maintaining data security and regulatory compliance. This research investigates crypto-shredding, a technique that enhances data security by destroying encryption keys, rendering the associated data permanently inaccessible. The study focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of crypto-shredding techniques within cloud environments, comparing their effectiveness to conventional deletion methods. A structured framework for integrating crypto-shredding into cloud architectures is proposed, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The study also explores the role of user authentication mechanisms and content discovery techniques in verifying that deleted files leave no recoverable traces in active storage or archives. Extensive testing and performance analysis will assess the feasibility and reliability of crypto-shredding as a secure data disposal method. The findings of this research aim to strengthen cloud security frameworks, mitigate the risks of data breaches, and contribute to the advancement of secure data management practices in cloud computing.

Impact Of Physico-Chemical Parameters On The Biodiversity And Distribution Of Macro-Invertebrates At Selected Areas Along The Shore Calabar River, Nigeria

2025-05-30T04:29:53+00:00

Spatio-temporal studies were conducted on the impact of physico-chemical parameters on the biodiversity and distribution of macro-invertebrates at selected areas along the shores of Calabar River, Nigeria. Results revealed the distribution of 3601 macro-invertebrates fauna, which consisted of 13 species, belonging to 3 phyla which were represented by Arthropoda, Mollusca and Annelida. Tympanotonus fuscatus was the most abundant macro-invertebrate species, having a numerical abundance of 1564 (43.43%) while the least abundant species was Potadoma moerchii, which had a total abundance of 3 (0.08%). Macro-invertebrates were more abundant at Adiabo beach. Phylum Mollusca was the most abundant, having a numerical abundance of 2810 (78.03%), while phylum Annelida was least represented, having a numerical abundance of 19 (0.52%). Mean temperature, salinity, pH, DO, BOD and conductivity were 27.064 ± 1.222^oC, 0.032 ± 0.014^oC, 6.315 ± 0.120, 4.583 ± 0.982 mg/L, 3.071 ± 1.831 mg/L and 32.055 ± 11.753 µs/cm, respectively. Mean water temperature, salinity, pH, DO, and conductivity varied insignificantly between the three sampling stations (p>0.05), while the BOD varied significantly across the sampling stations (p<0.05). Calabar River is unpolluted and healthy. The abundance of macro-invertebrates was influenced by water quality parameters, as shown by their strength of the various relationships. Although the study revealed that Calabar River is not polluted, it is mandatory that the Government enforces policies and laws regarding the anthropogenic discharges of energies and waste into the river system, in order to sustain its current healthy status. Government should set-up a monitoring team to continually monitor the ecological status of the River so as to ensure sustenance of fishery resources within the River system.