Nigerian Journal of Technology

Solving lateral-torsional buckling problems in thin-walled bisymmetric beam using Stodola-Vianello iteration method

C. Ike — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Thin-walled beams are susceptible to lateral torsional buckling (LTB) and can fail by LTB even when their material strengths have not been attained. The safe designs of thin-walled beams thus require LTB analysis to determine minimum LTB load. This paper aims to develop LTB load solutions of thin-walled bisymmetric beams using Stodola-Vianello iteration method (SVIM). The equations of LTB are differential equations derived from equilibrium conditions, incorporating bending, torsion, and warping effects. These equations are then transformed to more amenable iteration equations using SVIM. The SVIM uses successive integrations of the LTB equations to derive a system of iteration equations which is expressed for the arbitrary buckling mode, n. This work illustrates the use of the developed iteration equations to derive LTB solutions for simply supported thin-walled beams under constant end moment. Exact sinusoidal shape functions for the nth buckling mode derived from the governing equation for buckling are used for the two buckling displacement functions u(x), (x) to derive the SVIM equations for the subsequent (n + 1)th iteration. Convergence at nth iteration is used for finding the stability equation that is solved for the eigenvalue which is used to find the buckling load. The method yielded closed form LTB solutions that were identical with previous solutions obtained using Ritz methods, finite Fourier sine transform method, least square weighted residual method and classical Navier series method.

Shear response of reinforced concrete deep beams utilizing waste fiber reinforced expanded polystyrene concrete under static loading

A.I. Quadri, M.K. Rufai, J.A. Ajayi — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Deep beams are favorable in resisting high load creating shear due to their reduced span to depth ratio; nonetheless, they are known to produce diagonal shear brittle failure under service load including its own weight. A lightweight structure is required to reduce the overall load. In this study, seven lightweight deep beams were constructed using expanded polystyrene (EPS) as a partial replacement of coarse aggregate in concrete at 20% and 30%. The density of the EPS beams is 10.5% lower than that of the control beams. To increase shear behavior and comprehend deep beam failure under monotonic loading, 0.4% waste tire steel fiber by volume of concrete was incorporated in the concrete mix. Although the compressive and tensile strengths of control beams were higher than those of the EPS beam, reducing the weight of the beam by 20% EPS with tire fiber can improve both deep beam capacity and ductility. The capacity and ductility were 1% and 57% higher, respectively, than the control beam. Beams with tire fiber were also found to have a rough large crack width due to strain hardening characteristic, which allows them to withstand more load. This phenomenon is critical for structures in service.

Properties enhancement and compositional optimization study of tailored Nanosilica reinforced bioplastic film composites

Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The harmful environmental impact of synthetic plastics has created an urgent need to develop biodegradable polymers for industrial and commercial applications. This study developed sustainable bioplastic film composites from renewable starch and SiO₂ nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) as alternatives to conventional plastics. The films were fabricated by varying the proportions of starch, glycerol, and SiO₂-NPs, and standard tests measured biodegradability, water absorption, and tensile strength. Surface plot analysis and regression models correlated composition with performance, enabling the identification of optimal formulations for applications such as food packaging and medical devices. Results showed that biodegradability and water absorption increase with higher starch and glycerol levels but decrease with more SiO₂-NPs, while tensile strength and modulus improve with increased SiO₂-NPs yet decline with higher starch and glycerol. Optimal performance was achieved at distinct compositions: maximum biodegradability (>70%) and highest tensile strength (1.6 MPa) were observed at 13–14% SiO₂-NPs and 1–2% starch, whereas minimum water absorption (20–60%) occurred at 0–1% SiO₂-NPs and 13–14% starch. These findings indicate that the total amounts of SiO₂-NPs and starch, rather than their ratio, predominantly control the film properties. For instance, films with 11 g starch, 9.15 g glycerol, and 2 g SiO₂-NPs exhibited 9.8% biodegradability, while those with 13 g starch, 9.15 g glycerol, and 1.2 g SiO₂- NPs showed 9.2%, suggesting that increased glycerol and SiO₂-NPs reduce biodegradability. Similarly, higher starch and glycerol elevate water absorption due to starch’s hydrophilicity, though added SiO₂-NPs lowered it, and tensile strength improves with more SiO₂-NPs while declined with increased starch and glycerol. Results also specified that the bioplastic films had an average thickness of 0.4 mm, their density increased linearly with the SiO₂-NPs additions, and they achieved V-1 and V-2 flammability ratings. Thus, adjusting these components tailored the bioplastic films for specific applications, supporting their development as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Corrosion resistance of mild steel welded joints: Electrochemical analysis in five different environmental media

T. Esabunor, S.C. Ikpeseni, M. Ekpu, S.O. Sada, H.O. Orugba — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the corrosion behavior of mild steel welded joints exposed to various environmental media to evaluate their performance and durability in diverse real-world settings. The chosen environments—1M H₂SO₄, 1M NaCl, 1M NaOH, soil, and freshwater—represent a range of corrosive conditions from highly acidic and saline to basic and neutral, simulating scenarios that mild steel structures may encounter in industrial, marine, and natural environments. Welded joints were fabricated using optimized welding parameters and subjected to corrosion evaluation through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The results revealed that 1M H₂SO₄ caused the highest corrosion rate at 11.31 mm/yr and a corrosion current (Icorr) of 972.42 μA/cm², while freshwater exhibited the lowest corrosion rate of 1.55 mm/yr and an Icorr of 132.87 μA/cm². These findings underscore the significant influence of environmental conditions on the corrosion behavior of welded steel joints. The study recommends the use of advanced protective coatings or alternative materials for structures in highly corrosive environments.

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the devolatilization of pumpkin pods (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) wastes

Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Waste accruing from Pumpkin pod (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) was exposed to pyrolysis at varying temperatures namely; 350^oC, 400^oC, 500^oC and 600^oC and the heating rates were monitored at 0.17, 0.33 and 0.5 ^oC/sec. The biochar were then characterized in terms of yield, proximate composition and the process kinetics evaluated using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-AkahiraSunose (KAS) and Starink models. The models also showed the behaviour of the biochar with respect to to change in temperature. Proximate analysis of the biochar shows that it contains 11.77% moisture, 2.64%ash 12.50% fixed carbon and 73.10% volatile matter with a heating value of 17.91 MJ/kg. Furthermore, at 10^oC/min, 20^oC/min and 30℃/min, the biochar yield (wt%) decreased from 63.1 to 42.13, 59.87 to 38.33 and 51.91 to 32.12 respectively as pyrolysis temperature increased from 350^oC to 600^oC. FWO, KAS and Starink models, show high R² squared values greater than 0.9400, which indicate a good fit of the models. The mean activation energy (EA) obtained for FWO, KAS and Starink models were 157.68kJ/mol, 157.23kJ/mol and 157.38kJ/mol. The thermodynamics results for FWO, KAS and Starink models show an average enthalpy of 152.30kJ/mol, 157.44kJ/mol and 155.14KJ/mol, average free energy of 112.89kJ/mol, 122.77kJ/mol and 116.73kJ/mol and low average entropy of 0.077kJ/mol, 0.075kJ/mol and 0.073kJ/mol. The optimization of the thermal conversion of pumpkin pod for energy and sequestration purposes is provided by the theoretical analysis of this study.

Predictive modelling of tig welding process parameters: A comparative study of Taguchi, Fuzzy Logic, and response surface methodology

M.A. Afabor, E. Emozino, I.D. Friday, O.O. David, A.S. Abella — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The optimisation design approach has garnered significant attention in experimental design due to its ability to develop unique designs that align with specific experimental objectives. Welding has been a unique joining process applied across various engineering fields. Optimisation of the welding process can significantly affect the quality of the welded joint. However, the choice of which optimisation technique to deploy for an experimental process is often a random decision taken by researchers. The aim of this study, therefore, is to perform a comparative study of the Taguchi, fuzzy, and response surface methodology optimisation techniques in the optimisation of tungsten inert gas welding parameters of current, voltage, and gas flow rate of mild steel. Results obtained from the analytical and statistical analyses, with MATLAB used for fuzzy logic modelling, Minitab used for ANOVA and main effect analyses, and Design Expert used for chart analysis, revealed that all three optimisation techniques are effective, but fuzzy logic (with a % error range of 1.8–5.4) as against RSM (with a % error range of 0.72–12.3) and Taguchi (with a % error range of 0.79–33.54) was the more robust and effective model, as its results were closer to actual experimental results than the other two traditional techniques.

A comparative life cycle assessment of various product systems in a water production company

S.U. Achugwo, O.E. Ezeonu, P.U. Akpan — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It is no news that man’s activities usually have negative impacts on the environment. One major activity that man carries out that grossly affects the environment is the Production processes in general, especially those that are heavily industrialized. This paper presents a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted on four different product systems in the University of Nigeria’s LION water Company. The study makes use of the OpenLCA software to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the life cycle of four selected product systems, including 50cl PET bottle water, 75cl PET bottle water, 60cl sachet water and 18l dispensary water. The aim is to provide insights into the environmental implications of the different water packaging options and identify potential areas for sustainability improvements. The LCA methodology encompasses the use of the ‘ecoinvent_391_cutoff_upr_regionalized’ database and the impact assessment was done using the ‘openLCA - ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H)’ method to analyse resource use, emissions, and other environmental indicators. Summarized results show that the 60cl sachet water production system has the least environmental impact, while the 50cl PET bottled water production system exhibits the highest environmental impact. The study recommends a reduction in 50cl PET bottle water production and an increase in 60cl sachet water production within University of Nigeria (UNN) Lion Water to minimize negative environmental footprints and promote sustainability in water production operations.

Applicability of some calcined clay and calcium carbide waste in cement mixes for development of Pozzolanic binder

A.S. Ogunro, M.A. Usman, E.E. Ikponmwosa, R.U. Owolabi — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper presents findings of an investigation on the applicability of Imotoyewa (IM), Ifonyintedo (IF), and Owode-Ketu (OK) clay from Nigeria and calcium carbide waste (CCW) as a partial substitute for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in the development of a pozzolanic binder. The CEM II was partially replaced with calcined Ifonyintedo clay (C-IF), calcined Owode-ketu clay (C-OK), and calcined Imotoyewa clay (C-IM) at intervals of 10% up to 50%, and CCW was also used to replace C-IM, C-IF, and C-OK at the same interval in a separate mix. Physicochemical, mineralogical, microstructural, Zeta-sizer analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) methods were used for characterization. The Strength Activity Index (SAI) of the burnt clay (CC), setting times of CEMII-CC, CC-CCW, and compressive strength by partially replacing cement with CC and whole cement replacement using CC with CCW were investigated. Results from the SAI indicated a high pozzolanic effect. C-IF with about 40% kaolinite content gave the highest mortar strength than the control at a substitution level of 20%. Kaolinite on the XRD trace was 34-40 wt% in the clays, consistent with BET values. The BET and porosity of the CC were well above OPC, while C-IF clay, with the highest kaolin content, had the highest limit. ST tests revealed that in the CEMII-CC and CC-CCW pastes, CC and CCW inclusion have a linear relationship with the ST and water content of the paste, owing to the pozzolanic reaction and dilution impact. They inhibit cement hydration; thus, their ability to retard could be useful with concrete in hot weather. The C-IF’s reactivity with Ca(OH)2 from CCW and CEM: CIC mortar showed similar and noticeable trends on the FTIR. Results have demonstrated the development of pozzolanic binders from blended cement mortar, calcined clay, and CCW mortar.

Thermoacoustic cooling performance using nylon 6 stack material of varied geometry and blended helium-argon gas

K.S. Shelke, U.S. Wankhede, S. Shelare — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meeting the increased demand for energy-efficient, eco-friendly cooling technology requires innovative materials and gas combinations. Conventional cooling systems employ harmful refrigerants that cause global warming and ozone depletion. Thermal and acoustic nylon 6 is a potential stack material for thermoacoustic cooling systems. Despite the potential of Nylon 6 in thermoacoustic applications, its performance with different stack geometries and gas mixtures remains underexplored. Investigating the synergistic effects of these gas combinations has the potential to increase the efficiency and cooling capacity of the system. The thermoacoustic coefficient of performance (COP) and temperature differential of a helium-argon gas mixture at 1:1 proportion was evaluated using an experimental approach. Nylon 6 sheets of different arrangements were employed alongside various operating parameters such as cooling load (10W), frequency (λ/4, 3λ/4, and 5λ/4), and operating pressure (6 bar -10 bar). Reported research implies that adding helium-argon gas to thermoacoustic refrigeration (TAR) may improve their performance, expanding refrigeration and cooling applications. This mixture also reduced the onset temperature for thermoacoustic action, saving energy. According to experiments, the appropriate combination of these gases can outperform pure gas systems, making sustainable cooling possible. The study shows that the Honeycomb stack arrangement outperforms others in temperature regulation and cooling load capacity, especially at high pressures. Stack material gives significant results on the cooling performance of TAR, having the highest COP of 0.498. At 10 bar, the Honeycomb stack has the lowest cold-end temperature, while the Parallel stack has the highest at 6 bar. Linearity exists between cooling load and temperature differential, with Honeycomb stacks having the best cooling capacity at drive Pressure Ratio 10. The study reveals that Honeycomb stacks perform best in thermoacoustic refrigeration systems at more excellent pressure ratios.

Beyond saddle-node bifurcation point of ill-conditioned power systems: A case study of Nigerian national grid

J.N. Onah, N.O. Obi — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Estimating the margin for voltage collapse is a critical concern for power system utility companies and stakeholders in developing power systems. A common approach uses Euclidean distance in continuation power flow to address singularity-induced network constraints. However, this method fails to capture exact topological properties, leading to overly conservative stability margin predictions. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces the arc-length path to the existing model, leveraging numerical simulations with varying step sizes. The optimal step size value was determined through various simulations, including 19 incremental step size adjustments and 8-step size reductions. The results of these simulations validated the findings. Notably, combining arc length and Euclidean distance for margin estimation reveals that the latus rectum, corresponding to local parameterization, and the margin to voltage collapse are equidistant from the saddle-node bifurcation point.

Advanced mimo channel estimation techniques: A comprehensive review of methods, algorithms, and performance optimization

S.E. Eleje, C.L. Anioke, C.I. Ani — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The promising characteristic features of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems rely on the knowledge of the channel state information (CSI) for coherent signal data detection. The determination of channel state information is achieved using various conventional estimation techniques such as pilot-aided, blind, and semi-blind channel estimation techniques. Obtaining accurate channel state information in MIMO systems is significant tasks upon which system performance depends. This paper presents a comprehensive review of various MIMO channel estimation techniques presented in literature from conventional techniques to more recent deep neural network-based techniques. Various ways of pilot arrangement and complexity reduction techniques are discussed. Furthermore, the key performance indicators in MIMO channel estimation, various algorithms applied in channel estimation and the impact of outdated CSI with its causes are also presented. The recent improvements on the conventional techniques with its impact on the key performance indicators in communication systems such as 5G and beyond Networks, Millimeter-wave Communications, and Massive MIMO system were also reviewed. Accurately estimating wireless channel condition makes signal transmission adaptive leading to optimal performance in transmission and decoding of signals.

Deployment of smart contracts on Blockchain technology in early mitigation of distributed denial of service in software defined networks

Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid growth of smart and mobile devices that have resulted in content proliferation, server virtualization, and the emergence of cloud services have compelled the communication network industry to re-examine its network topologies. In this work, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are conducted by flooding target systems with traffic, designed to disrupt or suspend internet services for use by legitimate users. These attacks deplete network resources, thereby disabling those services and in turn decreasing the availability of the network. Blockchain technology has emerged as a viable option for DDoS mitigation. This technology has blockchain's core and promising inherent features to combat fatal cyber threats. These features include but are not limited to decentralization, immutability, integrity, anonymity, and verifiability. This work models a Software Defined Network (SDN) that is capable of mitigating DDoS attacks by integrating smart contracts. This offers a security technique that combines SDN and Blockchain to mitigate DDoS attacks at early stage. Intrusion detection and prevention are essential components of a comprehensive network protection strategy and are employed to detect and mitigate DDoS attacks in the SDN. In this paper, a secure network architecture capable of mitigating DDoS attacks in less than a second through the use of Blockchain technology has been presented after deployment. With a maximum of 25 requests per second for a single user and 8,000 compromised nodes, the software defined network successfully mitigated the DDoS at 0.68 seconds.

Application of random forest and hierarchical clustering models for crop and fertilizer recommendation to farmers

S.S. Nandom, G.T. Abe, I.P. Gambo — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Specific recommendations of crop and fertilizer are two critical parts of developing effective agricultural and food policies in Nigeria and other parts of the world. One of the main problems that has negatively affected crop production is the depletion of soil nutrients. Hence maintaining soil nutrients has become a significant concern for farmers. Although fertilizers can be applied manually to increase crop production, it is not optimal since different crops in different fields require different amounts of fertilizer due to soil types, soil fertility levels, and nutrient needs. To effectively and efficiently improve and maintain soil fertility, it is necessary to replace the traditional trial and error method of Nitrogen (N) Potassium (P) and Phosphorus (K) variation at different ratios on untested soils (which most times leads to poor crop yield) with soil testing and fertilizer recommendation using data mining algorithms. This study developed a model to recommend crop and fertilizer using two machine learning algorithms. The RF algorithm, which has shown high level of accuracy in many different agricultural applications, is used for recommending crops, while the hierarchical Clustering algorithm is used for fertilizer recommendation. The models used Crop nutrient requirement and soil sample data for training and testing. The RF and hierarchical algorithm were trained to recommend crop and fertilizer on the basis of multiple biophysical variables and soil nutrients. The system was found effective in recommending crop and fertilizer with an accuracy of 99.70%. The results showed that the model performed effectively and it is versatile machine-learning model for recommending crop and fertilizer due to the high accuracy and precision values. This research pointed out various steps in which a crop and fertilizer recommendation system was achieved using a random forest and hierarchical Clustering algorithms.

Effect of zinc oxide, manganese dioxide nanoparticles and their blends on yield and quality of bioethanol produced from co-fermentation of banana and potato peels

Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), manganese dioxide (MnO₂) NPs and their blends on the yield and quality of bioethanol produced from cofermentation of banana and potato wastes has been investigated. Thus, in this study, ZnO, MnO₂ NPs and their novel blend were synthesized, characterized and employed as additives to the fermentation processes, and their effects on the yield and quality of bioethanol produced from various blends of the organic wastes were evaluated. Potato peels (PP) and banana peels (BP) were collected and prepared for sample characterization. Prepared samples were then pretreated using acid pretreatment method before enzymatic hydrolysis, cofermentation and products analyses were carried out. Series of experiments were carried out using the feedstock blends: 100 wt.%BP: 0 wt.%PP, 30 wt. %BP: 70 wt.%PP, 70wt.%BP: 30 wt.%PP, 50 wt. %BP: 50 wt.%PP and 0 wt. %BP: 100 wt.%PP. The ZnO, MnO₂ and ZnO+MnO₂ NPs were added to the feedstock blends, and the blends without nanoparticles served as control samples. Study results unveiled that the highest yield of bioethanol (29.72g/l) was obtained from the sample blend, 100wt%BP + 0wt.%PP treated with ZnO NPs, and this was followed by 28.52g/l of bioethanol obtained from 50wt.%BP + 50wt.%PP sample blend treated with ZnO and ZnO +MnO₂ NPs. It was also observed that the amount of bioethanol produced from addition of ZnO NPs to samples is higher than those produced from control samples as well as from samples treated with MnO₂ and ZnO +MnO₂ NPs. This may be because ZnO acts as a better catalyst, positively enhancing the enzymatic activity which accelerates the conversion of sugars into ethanol than MnO₂ NPs. Product analysis results further unveiled the effect of the nanoparticles on the quality of bioethanol produced. Results of this study could enhance sustainability and economic viability of bioethanol production from organic wastes using nanoparticles.

Determination of basin-specific frequency factor for estimating probable maximum precipitation in Hadejia Jamare River Basin Nigeria

A.O. Ahmed, S. Dan’azumi, A. Umar, S.J. Mohammad — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Extreme rainfall events pose significant challenges to the design of flood control infrastructure, especially spillways. This study evaluates three scenarios for estimating the frequency factor, a vital component of the Hershfield method of determining probable maximum precipitation (PMP). The study examines the impact of multiple outliers on frequency factor estimation through three scenarios. The study employed the Hershfield procedure in the derivation. Daily annual maximum rainfall data was collected from three stations (Kano, Bauchi and Dutse). The data was subjected to outlier checks using the box and whisker plot for simplicity and easy visualization. The results were analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The ANOVA results clearly showed the number of outliers and the selection of the highest observed daily rainfall depth (X_max) have a significant effect on the frequency factor. The frequency factor obtained ranges from 2.1 to 4.88. Among the three Scenarios, Scenario 2 provided a more reliable estimate due to its ability to account for extreme outliers effectively. The results underscore the importance of considering outliers in hydrologic analysis to avoid underestimating risks in flood-prone areas. This ensures that infrastructure is better equipped to withstand rare, high-magnitude rainfall events, reducing the risk of catastrophic failures.

Antimicrobial activity of guava leaf on chicken meatballs and chicken chips and comparative studies of their water activity and monolayer moisture

N.O. Alamuoye, O.F. Alamuoye — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The antimicrobial activity of guava leaves on chicken meatballs and chicken chips and the comparative analysis of their water activity and monolayer moisture content were investigated. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of guava leaf slurry and essential oils on the microbial load of chicken meatballs and chicken chips and to evaluate the products' water activity and monolayer moisture content. Five kilograms of boneless breast muscle from broiler chickens were ground, mixed with nonmeat ingredients manually for 5 minutes, and rolled into meatballs. Each meatball was rolled in succession in an already whisked raw whole egg and coated with wheat flour inside a round mixing bowl. The frozen breast muscle was slightly thawed and cut into thin slices of approximately 2 mm in thickness via a very sharp knife. Slices of chicken breast muscle were coated with a mixture of the prepared marinade. The coated chicken flat chips and chicken meatballs were chilled for 2 hours for the marinade to penetrate the muscles before they were fried in vegetable oil (canola oil) to produce chicken meatballs and chicken chips. Guava leaf slurry and essential oils were used for the antimicrobial tests. The results revealed that chicken chips and meatballs had 0.466 and 0.764 for water activity and 17.50 and 15.80 for monolayer moisture respectively, whereas the microbial load of chicken meatballs coated with guava leaf slurry was minimal to quantify until day 10, whereas from day 15, a microbial load of 3.3x10⁵ CFU/ml was enumerated and increased to 4.9x10⁵ on day 25. Chicken chips coated with guava leaf slurry were also found to be too small to quantify until day 25. In conclusion, the slurry and essential oil of guava leaves inhibited microbial growth in chicken meatballs and chicken chips.

Bioremediation of the Heliopolis-guelma gravel quarry: A proposal for enhancing vegetation cover and environmental benefits

F. Djedid, M. Bounouala — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Our research aims to assess the feasibility of restoring the Heliopolis quarry in Guelma, Algeria. The site has suffered degradation due to overexploitation and a lack of preventive measures. The project idea aims to enhance local environmental benefits and promote vegetation growth by introducing seeds of native plant species or seedlings. Modern techniques were employed to analyze the study area and assess soil characteristics. Technical maps and topographical representations generated through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were created to depict the various elevation levels of the site and the degree of structural damage. Moreover, soil samples from the Heliopolis quarry and a rehabilitated quarry in Oued El Aneb, Annaba province, were analyzed using SEM-EDX. This fascinating device employs a highly focused scanning (primary) electron beam to produce high-resolution, depth-of-field images of surface topography. We applied this method to identify key elements that should be incorporated into the soil composition to improve soil fertility and facilitate effective site bioremediation. The SEM-EDX analysis results revealed varying compositions of the Heliopolis gravel quarry soil, including calcium oxide (CaO), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), magnesium (Mg), and other elements in different proportions. In contrast, the soil analysis from the Oued El Aneb gravel quarry, which underwent rehabilitation in Annaba, indicated that it was enriched with all essential elements for olive tree cultivation, such as Silicon, Iron, and Magnesium. Concerning the GIS cards, the results have indicated that the quarry floor has experienced huge topographical changes, posing a substantial challenge for bioremediation due to depths exceeding 12 meters at the bottom and reaching 15 meters in some areas. The bioremediation project of the Heliopolis gravel quarry will serve the environment, provide social and economic advantages, create jobs, and enhance the overall appearance of the quarry site and the Heliopolis town.

Suitability investigation of surface water quality for agricultural irrigation in Ekosodin community of Ovia-North East LGA, Benin City, Nigeria

A. Rawlings, C.E. Daudu — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Crop sustainability and production depend on the attributes of the irrigating water. Ensuring that appropriate attributes and amounts of available water are used for irrigation is necessary to maximise crop yields. Consequently, the Ikpoba River, which flows through the Ekosodin community in the Ovia-North East LGA of Benin City, was assessed for suitability for irrigation in this investigation. A physicochemical analysis was conducted on samples of water obtained from three distinct places along the river, namely A-upstream, Bmidstream, and C-downstream. With some results of the physicochemical test, irrigating water quality indicators, including the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), potential salinity (PS), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), kelly ratio (KR), percentage sodium (%Na), as well as the irrigating water quality index (IWQI), were all assessed for those samples of water. Regarding all physicochemical analysis findings, every sample of surface water met the FAO permitted thresholds regarding irrigation water, except for a few heavy metals such as Mn2+, Cu2+, Cr2+, and Cd2+ that were slightly over the allowable values. These heavy metals are less of a concern in water used for irrigation since they are essential plant micronutrients and are unlikely to directly harm plants. SAR, %Na, PI, PS, and KR, the irrigating water quality indicators, indicated that every river water sample tested was okay for irrigating but not for IWQI, which restricted irrigation water use to high-tolerance crops. For all water samples, the indices are A = 0.04, B = 0.05, and then C = 0.06; A = 21.31%, B = 22.01%, and then C = 21.84%; A = 3148.15%, B = 2384.29%, with C = 1928.58%; A = 2.60 meq/L, B = 1.04 meq/L, as well as C = 1.11 meq/L; A = 0.19, B = 0.20, while C = 0.20 for the SAR, %Na, PI, PS, and KR indices, respectively. As such, surface water within the research region is appropriate for irrigation.