ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
SUKANTA MANDAL; Anagh Chatterjee
Abstract
The terrestrial surface of the earth constitutes a finite portion of the biosphere, referred to as "land," that encompasses a complex array of attributes immediately above or below the surface, including the near-surface climate, soil and terrain typology, surface hydrology (such as shallow lakes, rivers, ...
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The terrestrial surface of the earth constitutes a finite portion of the biosphere, referred to as "land," that encompasses a complex array of attributes immediately above or below the surface, including the near-surface climate, soil and terrain typology, surface hydrology (such as shallow lakes, rivers, marshes, and swamps), near-surface sedimentary formations and associated groundwater reserves, vegetation and faunal populations, human settlement patterns, and physical evidence of past and current human activities (FAO, 1995, p. 6). It is well acknowledged that land serves as the foundation upon which human civilization has been constructed and flourished, as it is the most elementary resource of human society. However, the quantifiable amount of land available is unalterable, thus necessitating the judicious and scientifically informed utilization of this precious resource for the preservation of human existence. In light of this, the examination of land use patterns assumes paramount importance for resource planning, cultural development, and regional or national economic growth. The present study endeavours to analyse the trend of land use and land cover changes in the Rampurhat CD Block -II from 2000 to 2020, a crucial task in view of the current global scenario of changing land use patterns.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Adaobi Ukamaka Akudu; Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere; Innocencia Chizoba Chidebelu; Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha; Cynthia Nkolika Ibeto
Abstract
The work determined the physicochemical properties and quality of groundwater samples from Industrial cluster areas of Anambra state, Nigeria using Quality Index method. The samples were collected monthly in rainy season (May–July, 2017) and dry season (November, 2017 to January, 2018). The ranges ...
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The work determined the physicochemical properties and quality of groundwater samples from Industrial cluster areas of Anambra state, Nigeria using Quality Index method. The samples were collected monthly in rainy season (May–July, 2017) and dry season (November, 2017 to January, 2018). The ranges of the physicochemical parameters in both seasons were temperature (27.0–30.4oC), pH (5.5 – 6.5), electrical conductivity (22.5–178 µS/cm), calcium (1.00–17.67 mg/L), magnesium (0.00–13.33mg/L),total hardness (1.00–27.00 mg/L),chlorides (0.83–16.67mg/L), sulphate (0.33–4.00 mg/L), total alkalinity (0.75–16.67 mg/L), total dissolved solids (13.50–106.67 mg/L), total suspended solids (1.03–9.67 mg/L), total solids (16.00–116.33 mg/L), turbidity (0.00–3.04 NTU), dissolved oxygen (5.67–9.07mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (0.10–1.27 mg/L) and chemical oxygen demand (5.67–18.33 mg/L). The values were compared with the standard values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO 2017) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ 2007). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was performed which showed significance variations between the parametric values of the borehole water samples. Levene’s t-test indicated significance variations between the rainy season and dry season parametric means. The water quality index (WQI) results in both seasons showed that the water quality status of the samples collected from Uruagu, Nnewichi, Okpoko and Awada were excellent while those collected from Otolo, Umudim, Fegge and Woliwo were good.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Bernard Moeketsi Hlalele
Abstract
A dry spell is defined as the consecutive number of days with precipitation less than a specified threshold value of a standardised precipitation index (SPI). A cumulative effect of these dry spells amount to drought events and thereby negatively affect socio-economic activities in the communities. The ...
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A dry spell is defined as the consecutive number of days with precipitation less than a specified threshold value of a standardised precipitation index (SPI). A cumulative effect of these dry spells amount to drought events and thereby negatively affect socio-economic activities in the communities. The current study aimed at determining the influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) aided by Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) in order to make easy prediction given clear SOI cyclicity of anything from 3 to 7 years. The study used SPI to define dry spells and was also used a conceptual framework to quantify dry spells. A spectral analysis was also applied to SPI-1 time series datasets to determine return levels to provide government and all relevant authorities with behavioural characteristics of dry spells in the area for proactive mitigation strategies. Main results of this study ENSO having no direct influence over all the selected station’s precipitation. All the stations showed an average of 12 months or 1 year return level. This implies that after every 1 year, the study area is highly likely to experience dry spells which could lead to detrimental effects of the most important amenities of the study area. This phenomenon provides authorities with relevant information to plan proactively as dry spells may amount or graduate to drought events and thereby adversely affect water consuming activities in the area.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Ebelechukwu Ayibuofu Erhuanga; Olurotimi Olakunle Fadairo
Abstract
Access to safe water is a significant challenge in many communities in developing countries like Nigeria. This study examines the bacteriological quality of a primary water source in the Aba-Oyo Community in Akure, Ondo State. The community relies on a poorly managed well as its main source of water ...
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Access to safe water is a significant challenge in many communities in developing countries like Nigeria. This study examines the bacteriological quality of a primary water source in the Aba-Oyo Community in Akure, Ondo State. The community relies on a poorly managed well as its main source of water supply. The objective was to evaluate bacterial contamination and assess the water quality to determine its suitability for drinking. The research follows a cross-sectional design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Water samples were collected and analyzed using microbiological testing techniques to estimate bacteria concentration and dominant species. Key Informant Interviews were employed to provide insights into the water practices and prevalent diseases in the community. Results show high bacterial contamination, exceeding permissible limits, including coliform bacteria. Notably, Escherichia coli is absent. Various health-significant bacterial and fungal species were identified in the water samples. The Findings inform interventions for safe drinking water in Aba-Oyo and similar communities, contributing to the existing knowledge on water quality and public health in Nigeria. The study highlights the urgent need for improved water supply infrastructure, promotion of household water treatment options and safe sanitation practices in peri-urban areas of Nigeria.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Hashmatullah Yousufi; Hafiza 0799253506 Hamid; Khadija Habibi khishki; Najla Haidari; Sahar Mohammadi
Abstract
The study’s objective was to assess the bacterial quality of some domestic brands of bottled water sold in Kabul, Afghanistan. A total of 60 bottled water samples from 20 different domestic brands were collected from the stores in Kabul and analyzed for TPC, TCC, and FCC. The inoculated plates ...
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The study’s objective was to assess the bacterial quality of some domestic brands of bottled water sold in Kabul, Afghanistan. A total of 60 bottled water samples from 20 different domestic brands were collected from the stores in Kabul and analyzed for TPC, TCC, and FCC. The inoculated plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 – 48 hours. The antibiotic susceptibility tests for bacterial isolates were then performed. The result of the current study revealed that 55% of bottled water had bacterial contamination; 25% had total plate counts that were within an acceptable range, and 30% had counts that were higher than the acceptable range. 15% of the samples from three brands had coliform bacteria. All the samples were free of fecal coliforms. Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from contaminated samples. Serratia marcescens was ESBL-positive. The result of this study suggests that some of the bottled water brands sold in Kabul, Afghanistan, exceeded the limits set by the WHO. We recommend that MoPH/AFDA strictly monitor bottled water. The government authorities should visit and check these companies for QA and QC regulations on a regular basis.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
David Mugendi Kariuki
Abstract
Underground water baseline studies are very instrumental in the provision of data for inventories that would play a critical role in conservation assessments and for future development project monitoring.This study was conducted in Turkana County.The main objectives of this study were to enhance the ...
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Underground water baseline studies are very instrumental in the provision of data for inventories that would play a critical role in conservation assessments and for future development project monitoring.This study was conducted in Turkana County.The main objectives of this study were to enhance the current knowledge and understanding of the water quality of the community boreholes,establish its portability, and provide baseline data that will be very useful to the water quality monitoring agencies. Water samples were collected from randomly selected boreholes in Turkana South Sub-county using fixed volume purge and sample technique and both field measurement and laboratory analysis by use of an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer were used in analysis of selected heavy metals. The sampled boreholes were Sale-yard, Nakukulus, ACS and Lokichanda boreholes. The study established that the levels of heavy metals such as Copper, Magnesium, Barium and Lead were all below the recommended levels by WHO. However, the levels of Iron and Nickel which were above the World Health Organization of 0.3mg/L and 0.2mg/L in the four community boreholes with recordings of (1.17ppm,1.5ppm,0.39ppm,0.3ppm) and (0.27ppm,0.63ppm,0.58ppm,0.37ppm) respectively. In addition, the Turbidity and TDS levels were also above the WHO-recommended levels of 5 NTU and <1000 ppm respectively. The Turbidity readings for the four boreholes were (6,6.3,5.5,4.9) NTUs respectively. The TDS levels for the four boreholes respectively were (1060,1020,1473,1025) ppm which were all above the WHO standard levels. There is a need to treat this water before consumption and perpetually monitor its quality to ensure the safety of the locals.
