Original Article
Uwadiegwu Ibeabuchi
Abstract
Soil erosion is one of the major environmental issues which has caused considerable economic damage and still remains an intractable problem in many parts of Abia state. InVEST model was used to map the environmental and economic cost of soil loss by studying: (1.) sediment exported and retained from ...
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Soil erosion is one of the major environmental issues which has caused considerable economic damage and still remains an intractable problem in many parts of Abia state. InVEST model was used to map the environmental and economic cost of soil loss by studying: (1.) sediment exported and retained from soil loss, (2.) nutrient exported and retained from soil loss, and (3.) the resiliency of the hydrological basin to withstand changes from soil and nutrient loss using GIS (Geographic Information System)technique. Estimated total soil loss from sediment export was found to have a higher significant impact on the hydrological basin of Abia state than sediment retained. The model estimated nutrient (Phosphorous and Nitrogen) exported and retained against the economic benefit of nutrient exported and retained as well as the economic value of the basin for retaining nutrient over the specified time span. This found nutrient and economic value lost from sediment export higher than sediment retained. A resilient check was performed on the Abia state basin to ascertain the strength, ability of the basin to spring back into shape and withstand the pressure from on/off-site damage accumulated from soil loss, nutrient loss, and nutrient economic value lost. Abia state basin was found to have a resilient level of 69.20% low and 30.80% high in 1972, 19.63% of very low and 88.88% of low resilient in 1986 and 2003, while in 2015 very low resilient of 39.30% and 60.70% of low resilient. The result reveals a drastic reduction in the resilient level between 1972 and 2015 as well as its agro-productivity, socio economic equalities and overall well-being of Abia sate. This research highlights the fact that proper conservation measures needs to be applied to improve agro productivity, water quality standard and the general well-being of Abia state.
Original Article
Margaret Macherera; Vusumuzi Maphosa; David Zezai
Abstract
Rapid industrialisation has seen the integration of electronic devices for process automation to support increased consumer demand and remain competitive.The rapid adoption of these devices has raised the production of e-waste.E-waste poses environmental and public health hazards.Proper management of ...
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Rapid industrialisation has seen the integration of electronic devices for process automation to support increased consumer demand and remain competitive.The rapid adoption of these devices has raised the production of e-waste.E-waste poses environmental and public health hazards.Proper management of this waste by relevant institutions may reduce the problem.This paper aims to determine the implications of the practices of selected institutions on e-waste management.The study was conducted in four purposively selected provinces of Zimbabwe.Participants included: ICT producers (4), regulators (3), government ministries (private sector civil society organisations (3), and municipalities (4).An interview guide with thirteen questions addressing each stakeholder sector's roles, perceptions, and experiences was used to conduct the in-depth interviews. Data were reduced by transcription and coding of the various data sources. The findings of the study show that there was no legislation directly talking to e-waste management in the country. E-waste was disposed of together with general waste at landfill sites. The importation of e-waste is not monitored since no legislation controls this activity. Telecommunication companies auction obsolete electronic gadgets to the public and other companies. The regulatory institutions did not consider e-waste a major problem in the country. There is no control over the importation of e-waste at ports of entry, resulting in non-compliance with the Basil and Bamako Conventions. E-waste was not regarded as a major problem in the country. This misconception results in a lack of control over the management of e-waste in the country resulting in environmental and Public Health problems.
Original Article
Bashkim Thaçi; Salih Gashi
Abstract
Wheat bran without any chemical treatment was used as biosorbent for sorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. The structure of biosorbent was characterized by ATR-IR spectra and pH of the point zero charge (pHPZC). The effect of initial metal concentration, biosorbent dose, contact time, temperature, ...
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Wheat bran without any chemical treatment was used as biosorbent for sorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. The structure of biosorbent was characterized by ATR-IR spectra and pH of the point zero charge (pHPZC). The effect of initial metal concentration, biosorbent dose, contact time, temperature, initial solution, pH, on biosorption of Cd(II) ion from aqueous solution into wheat bran were determined. The best results were achieved at contact time 30 min at pH 5.5 and temperature 25oC. We used Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms to characterize the adsorption equilibrium. The biosorption of cadmium ions fits well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, according to experimental data (R2 0.996 and R2 0.995, respectively). The maximum biosorption capacity of cadmium ions with the Langmuir model for wheat bran is qmax= 6.25 mg/g, at optimal conditions. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔHo, ΔSo and ΔGo) showed that the exothermic, spontaneous and favourable biosorption process. These results predict that wheat bran can be used for uptake of cadmium ions from aqueous solution.
Original Article
CHEN Yanuo; TIAN Tian; ZHANG Xinxiang; WANG Yuanyuan; TANG Jianfei; LI Weidong; CAO Yong
Abstract
Stains are extremely utilized in various industrial dying aims like materials, food, cosmetics, paper print, Leather, etc. Among those stains, Methylene blue is the most typical one that is utilized in different industries. Furthermore, Tea is one of the most popular beverages and about 3.5 million tons ...
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Stains are extremely utilized in various industrial dying aims like materials, food, cosmetics, paper print, Leather, etc. Among those stains, Methylene blue is the most typical one that is utilized in different industries. Furthermore, Tea is one of the most popular beverages and about 3.5 million tons tea has been used yearly in the world (Kumar and al., 2005). In this investigation, Tea Wastage has been employed as an adsorbent for the deduction of Methylene blue. Differing empirical situations have experimented in various rang like absorbent dose, PH, and contact time. Absorbent tea waste balance aimed in two hours for methylene blue concentrations of thirty ppm and pH amount of four. The performance of stain exploitation improved by raising time and the diminishing PH amount of absorption. The highest reduction performance has been found in the expansion of 0.7gm dose. It dismissed the highest stain at PH 4 the removal performance has been 97.87percent. Furthermore, the percent of reduction performance is highest while the test time is 120 minutes. The outcomes demonstrated that tea wastage appears as a so low-cost absorbent for the methylene blue reduction.
Original Article
Uwadiegwu Ibeabuchi
Abstract
Flooding has become a major environmental hazard in Lagos metropolis in recent years due to its topography, population growth, rapid urbanization and extreme weather events such as rainfall. Seasonal flood inundation simulation was modeled and an early warning system was developed for Lagos metropolis ...
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Flooding has become a major environmental hazard in Lagos metropolis in recent years due to its topography, population growth, rapid urbanization and extreme weather events such as rainfall. Seasonal flood inundation simulation was modeled and an early warning system was developed for Lagos metropolis using DEM (Digital Elevation Model) from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) and monthly flood stage between 1990 and 2011 using GIS (Geographic Information System) technique. Annual rainfall trend was studied between 1971and 2013 using time series statistic as well as seasonal rainfall distribution between 1971 to 1999 and 1999 to 2013. Seasonal flood stages were studied and used as input in flood simulation. Flood inundation simulation was modeled using HEC-RAS program for 1-in-20 year return period. While the flood hazard map was prepared based on flood inundation level. Risk assessment was performed to produce a flood risk map for Lagos metropolis. Flood velocity, runoff time, depth, duration, location and spatial dimension were captured, studied and used to develop a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) as well as flood discharge for Lagos metropolis. Affected Local Government Areas and streets were selected to study the impact of flooding on Lagos residents. Finally, research findings and recommendations were highlighted for Lagos metropolis.
Original Article
Shaimaa M. Abdulrahman; Ahmed S.A. Al- Gharbawi; Ammar A. Al-Sultan
Abstract
Soft clay soil is one of the problematic soil which is widespread in Iraq especially in middle and south of Iraq and has a low bearing capacity. This study investigates some of the mechanical properties of soft clay soil after adding the environmental waste material, egg shells. This study compares eggshell ...
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Soft clay soil is one of the problematic soil which is widespread in Iraq especially in middle and south of Iraq and has a low bearing capacity. This study investigates some of the mechanical properties of soft clay soil after adding the environmental waste material, egg shells. This study compares eggshell ash (ESA), eggshell powder (ESP), and limestone (L), which can be used as a stabilizer for soft clay while preserving natural limestone from consumption. ESP can be used as a replacement for limestone due to some similarities in chemical composition between it and limestone components. Soft clay soil brought from southern Iraq, which is used for this study and mixed with different percentages of ESA (2 - 6%), ESP (4 - 20%), and L (4 - 24%) by dry weight of soil. Lab tests such as specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, and triaxial tests were used to evaluate the amendment samples and compare them with the reference one. The experimental results indicated that ESA increased the qualities of consistency, strength, and plasticity. It was found that the activity of the natural soil without any additives was decreased from 0.60 to 0.20 at 6% of ESA, while the activity dropped to 0.23 at 20% of ESP and 0.25 at 30% of L. Thus, it can be concluded that ESA was an effective stabilizer for improving the mechanical properties of soft soil samples.
