Concentration Of Other Parameters Research Articles

Influence of Third Cemetery Location on the Quality of Domestic and Groundwater Resources in Benin City, Nigeria

The present study investigates impact of burial practices on water quality in Benin City, Nigeria by collecting groundwater samples from boreholes located by the peripheral area of Third Cemetery in Benin City and a reference site approximately 4 km away using standard methods. With the exception of SO4, CaCO3, Fe and DO, the concentrations of other parameters were higher in water samples obtained from the peripheral area of Third Cemetery than that from the reference site. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that pH, Fe, and CaCO3 were differentiating parameters related to reference site, similar condition was attributed to SO4 and Mg for site 2 and Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn and DO for sites 1 & 3. Cluster analysis (CA) placed the reference site as outlier to other sites. Higher concentrations of Cl, NO3, Na, K and BOD5 in samples obtained by cemetery peripheral when compared to reference site and positive correlations among these parameters are indications of impacts of decomposing activities in cemetery upon water quality in underlying aquifer. Limiting water quality index (WQI) computation to pH, EC, Cl, NO3, SO4,Na and BOD5 showed that quality of groundwater obtained from cemetery peripheral is not good for domestic uses.Keywords: Cemetery, Groundwater, Physicochemical, Multivariate, Water Quality Index

A comparative assessment of nutrients and anti-nutrients contents of varieties of fried yam (<i>Dioscorea specie</i>) commonly consumed in Nigeria

There is limited information on nutrients composition of Nigerian foods. As a result, nutrients intake from Nigerian foods is in most cases estimated using foreign food composition tables. This research determined and compared proximate composition, minerals and anti-nutrients in pre- boiled fried New and old White Yam ( Dioscorea rotundata ), Water Yam ( Dioscorea alata ) and Yellow Yam ( Dioscorea cayenensis ) purchased at Yankura market, Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. Samples were peeled, boiled and fried. Fried yam samples were analysed for moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, fiber and mineral contents using methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemist. Phytate and cyanide were estimated bytitration. Results were analyzed using ANOVA in GraphPad Instat software. New White Yam exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher content in moisture (52.5 ± 8.40 g/100g), fiber (2.0 ± 0.02 g/100g), calcium (13.7 ± 0.5 mg/100g); lower concentration of phytate (11.3 ± 0.08 mg/kg) and moderate concentrations of other parameters studied. Water yam contains significantly (P<0.05) higher protein (5.77 ± 0.2 %), potassium (683 ± 3.6 mg/100g) and moderate amount of other parameters studied. Yellow Yam contains significantly (P<0.05) higher magnesium (16.3 ± 1.52 mg/100g), phytate (31.2 ± 0.40 mg), lower fiber (0.9 ± 0.03 g/100g) and moderate amount of other parameters. Old White Yam contains significantly (P<0.05) higher carbohydrate (37.47 ± 0.5 g/100g), lower cyanide (3.2 ± 0.15 mg/kg) and moderate amount of other parameters studied. The fried yam samples studied have variable amount of nutrients and anti-nutrients. Apart from being excellent energy sources, all yam samples studied could contribute to intake of micronutrients. Keywords: Fried yam, proximate content, micronutrients, anti-nutrients

Assessment of Water Quality Status of Euphrates from Hindiya dam to Mishkab Regulator-Iraq

The present study focus on the assessment of monthly changes in water quality of the Euphrates River from Hindiya Dam to Mishkab regulator Physico-chemical properties of water in Euphrates River were studied throughout six months (January to June)of 2016. The current study included measurements of pH, EC, air and water temperature, total alkalinity, total hardness, Ca, Mg, turbidity, salinity, TDS, TSS, DO, BOD, Na, K, and Chloride in 14 Sites, the Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated. The results revealed that the averages of pH values of both Sites ranged between (7.39–8.24). Mean while, values of salinity and total hardness were high in Site (8) in which the highest was during January up to 1320 mg/l, whereas, concentrations of other parameters varied during the whole study period. The value of dissolved oxygen, on the other hand, recorded the highest value in Site4 during May reading 12.4 mg/, while the biological oxygen demand recorded the lowest value, 0.3 mg/l., in Site (6) during April. The WQI values obtained were high in February monthcompared to that of other months of the study period. The SAR values varied from 3.2 to 7.4 during study period. The results of percentage sodium in the water body that ranged between (28 to 55) %. Concludes the water quality assessment of Euphrates River shown that the physico-chemical quality of the water was recorded high values in Sites (6, 8, 10). The water quality index determined show that the water of Euphrates River is ‗Unfit‘for drinking and appropriate for irrigation relying on adsorption ratio of sodium and percentage of sodium.

Cardioprotective effect of Malva sylvestris L. in myocardial ischemic/reprefused rats

PurposeThe present investigation evaluated the cardioprotective effect of Malva sylvestris L. (MS) on myocardial ischemic/reperfusion (MI/R) in rats. MethodsAll animals were divided into four groups: the sham operated group, ischemia/reperfusion group (MI/R), and the MS (250 and 500mg/kg) treated groups, who received MS 250 and 500mg/kg intragastrically for 15 consecutive days, respectively. At the end of the protocol, concentrations of aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase-MB fraction (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were estimated in serum and the concentrations of other parameters, such as C-reactive protein, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1α), and nitric oxide (NO) were also estimated in the blood. Tissue homogenate concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interlukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10 and IL-6 as well as oxidative stress parameters, such as lipid peroxidation, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were estimated in MI/R rats. ResultSignificant decreases (p<0.01) in AST, LDH, and CK-MB levels were observed in the MS-treated group compared with those in the MI/R group. C-reactive protein and MIP-1α levels decreased in the MS-treated group compared with those in the MI/R group. Plasma NO level was significantly enhanced in the MS-treated group than in the MI/R group. Moreover, treatment with MS significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels and increased IL-10 levels in the MS group compared with the MI/R group. Treatment with MS also attenuated the altered oxidative stress parameters in MI/R rats. ConclusionThe present results indicate the cardioprotective effects of MS of reducing oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in MI/R rats.

Contribution of non-carbonate inorganic and organic alkalinity to total measured alkalinity in pore waters in marine sediments (Gulf of Gdansk, S-E Baltic Sea)

Various microbiological, chemical and physical processes during early diagenesis in marine sediments make the chemical composition of pore water significantly different from that of the sea water. The aim of this study was (a) to compare concentrations of total alkalinity measured using titration method (TAmeas.) with carbonate alkalinity calculated (TAcalc.) from dissolved inorganic carbon and pH, and (b) to determine the proportion of non-carbonate inorganic bases (N-CIBs) and alkalinity from organic compounds (OA) in TAmeas. in pore water in the Gulf of Gdansk. In the study, TAmeas. as well as concentrations of dissolved inorganic and organic carbon (DIC and DOC), hydrogen sulphide, sulphate, ammonium, phosphates and borate in near-bottom and pore water were measured at three sampling sites in October 2013. At all the sites, TAmeas. was 1632–14,460μmolkg−1 and increased with depth into the sediment, as did the concentrations of other parameters (excluding sulphate). Inorganic and organic compounds produced during organic matter (OM) decomposition in sediments had a considerable contribution to TAmeas. in pore water. As a result TAmeas. was up to 38% higher than TAcalc. The observed excess alkalinity (TAexcess) was from 56 to 3972μmolkg−1 and increased gradually going deeper into the sediment. TAexcess was correlated with concentration of N-CIBs (mainly hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and phosphates) and DOC present in pore water. The main source of N-CIBs in pore water was bacterial sulphate reduction during OM mineralization. The concentration of N-CIBs in pore water ranged from 85 to 1053μmoll−1 and the percentage share of N-CIBs in TAmeas. was 4–35%. The highest proportion of N-CIBs in TAmeas. was observed in the upper (0–12cm) layers of the sediment. Anoxic decomposition of OM has led to the production of OA in pore water which constituted up to 26% of TAmeas. The concentration of OA varied from 2 to 2953μmoll−1and at all sites increased with depth into the sediment. This is due to the accumulation of products of decomposition of OM in pore water, i.e. organic acids and fulvic and humic acids.

Percolation and Contaminant Transport in Road Embankments with and without Technical Safeguards to Reduce Percolation – Lysimeter Experiments

Alternative materials, like recycling materials, industrial by-products and soils already influenced by human activities (e.g. urban soils) are commonly accepted as building material in earthwork constructions. The risk of contaminant leaching from these materials can be limited by reducing the amount of percolating water. Technical safeguards are means to achieve this, but they must be adapted to the requirements of road construction. The research project aims to better knowledge of the percolation and leaching processes in road embankments constructed from alternative materials with different technical safeguards.The input and behavior of water and contaminants from re-used soils and road runoff is measured in eight field lysimeters at an urban road in an enterprise zone in Augsburg, southern Germany with about 9,700 vehicles per day. Each lysimeter contains the cut out of an embankment. The technical safeguards aim to decrease percolation and include a capillary barrier / drainage layer from geotextile and a second one from gravel, a bituminous film of 1kg/m2 and a modified mineral sealing of 10cm.A sandy gravel and a loamy soil were each used for construction of the embankment cut out in four lysimeters. The soils were spiked with a low contamination of Cd, Cu and CN- to test the efficiency of the technical safeguards. In the percolate water of the lysimeters as well as in the road runoff the pH value, electrical conductivity and the concentrations of sulphate, chloride, As, Pb, CN-, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Mo, Sb, Tl, V and Zn have been analyzed in two-week composite samples since July of 2010. The amount of road runoff, lysimeter runoff and percolating water with its electrical conductivity are measured continuously. It has to be noted that measures were taken during a testing period in order to solve imperfections in the test set-up. These measures will have affected the observations presented.Results show that the unfiltered road runoff shows considerable concentrations of Zn and also elevated concentrations of Pb, as expected from former experience and literature. Up to now, all embankment types lead to a strong retention of these two substances. However, elevated Zn and Pb concentrations can be found in the percolating water during times of high chloride concentrations originating from deicing salt. Furthermore it was shown that the average contaminant leaching of each lysimeter was relatively small during the measurement period.Changes in concentrations of other parameters seem to be induced mainly by high chloride content of the infiltrating road runoff, but the time of occurrence of the changes in the effluent as well as the temporal variations depend also on the soil type, soil pH and the technical safeguards. Additionally, it seems that the soil type has a stronger influence on the percolation process compared to the different technical safeguards. Possible reasons will be discussed.

Influence of subsurface drainage systems on nitrate pollution of water supply aquifer (Tursko well-field, Poland)

This study presents the behavior of nitrate in the recharge zone of Tursko well-field (south Wielkopolska, Poland). The presence of a contaminant plume derived from land drainage systems was documented. The contamination is reflected mainly by the high concentration of nitrate (>80 mg/l). It was documented that the contaminant plume migrates in the aquifer along a flow path from the contamination source to the well-field. The factor that retards nitrate migration is bacterial denitrification. As a result of the denitrification, the nitrate concentration decreases systematically along flow lines, but the concentration of other parameters—products of denitrification (sulfate and total hardness)—increases. The occurrence of denitrification was confirmed by measuring the gaseous excess of N2 (the product of denitrification) and by using the isotopes of 15N and 18O dissolved in nitrate. These methods also enable the intensity of denitrification to be assessed.

In vivo assessment of an industrial waste product as a feed additive in dairy cows: Effects of larch (Larix decidua L.) sawdust on blood parameters and milk composition

When larch (Larix spp.) is processed in the wood industry, the sawdust is currently disposed of as waste or used as combustible material, even though it is rich in biologically active compounds. In this study the effect of larch sawdust supplementation on blood parameters as well as milk composition was examined in healthy mid-lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Italian Friesian dairy cows were assigned to groups receiving either 300 g/day/cow of larch sawdust or a control diet, and treatments were continued for a 20 day period.Milk parameters were unaffected by treatment. A lower plasma total protein concentration was observed and can be attributed to a decrease in globulin concentration. A lower plasma urea concentration was also detected in the larch group. Moreover, biomarkers of liver function were influenced by the treatment. Total bilirubin was lower in larch-treated animals, and cholesterol tended to be lower. In addition, an interaction between day and treatment was observed for very low density lipoprotein. The concentration of other parameters, including reactive oxygen metabolites, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and nitrotyrosine, did not differ between treatments. The observed benefits, together with the good palatability, make larch sawdust a promising candidate for the development of beneficial feed supplements for livestock. Further studies will be useful, particularly to evaluate its efficacy in different health conditions.

Variations in the physicochemical characteristics of the Buffalo River in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

The physicochemical characteristics of the Buffalo River in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were evaluated using standard methods. The assessment was carried out with total of 72 water samples collected from six sites over a 12-month period, from August 2010 to July 2011. Water temperature ranged from 11 to 28°C, while pH varied from 6.6 to 10.7 and turbidity from 1.7 to 133 NTU. Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity showed drastic variations (42.3-46,693μS/cm, 20.3-23,350mg/l and 0.02-33.8PSU, respectively) and the significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean values of these parameters recorded at Parkside reflect the influence of seawater at the Buffalo River estuary. The concentrations of other parameters ranged as follows: chloride (3.7-168mg/l), DO (6.9-11.1), BOD (0.6-9.4), COD (3.7-45.9), nitrite-nitrogen (0.02-0.21), nitrate-nitrogen (1-4.47) and orthophosphate (0.01-1.72). There was a significant positive correlation between water temperature and DO (r = 0.200; P < 0.01). Significant (P < 0.01) positive correlations also existed between TDS and salinity (r = 0.921), COD and each of salinity (r = 0.398), TDS (r = 0.375) and chloride (r = 0.330), nitrate and phosphate (r = 0.323) and BOD and turbidity (r = 0.290). Significant (p < 0.01) inverse relationships existed between DO and each of phosphate (r = -0.295) and nitrate (r = -0.168). We conclude that the Buffalo River water quality deteriorated in the plains, compared with the upper reaches. Urgent measures are needed to safeguard the river in view of the potential health concerns as many households rely solely on the untreated river water.

Effects of Solid Waste and Industrial Effluents on Water Quality of Turag River at Konabari Industrial Area, Gazipur, Bangladesh

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of solid waste and industrial effluents on the water quality of Turag River. Both the upstream and downstream sampled water from the selected points were analyzed for color, odor, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) concentrations. Results of the study showed that the color of water was light to dark black and emitted noxious smell due to the industrial effluents. The upstream water was slightly alkaline with comparatively high DO content while low concentration of other parameters. The water after the solid waste and effluents received points as well as middle and downstream points was slightly alkaline with higher levels of other parameters when compared with upstream point. The minimum and maximum values of pH, EC, TDS, DO and BOD were 7.24-7.61, 425-2277 ?S/cm, 239-1349 ppm, 1.22-3.66 ppm and -2.44-0.86 ppm, respectively. The continuous dumping of waste materials resulted in a marked increase in the concentration of metals in the river water varied in the order of Fe &gt; Zn &gt; Pb &gt; Cu &gt; Cd. The study concluded that the downstream water in the river was almost polluted and unsuitable for human consumption and aquaculture purposes.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14817 J. Environ. Sci. &amp; Natural Resources, 5(2): 213-218 2012

Water quality trends in the last decade for ten watersheds dominated by diffuse pollution in Québec (Canada)

The aim of this work is to evaluate and discuss river water quality trends over the last decade in ten watersheds where diffuse pollution represents more than half of the annual load of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Trend analyses taking into account flow data indicate a significant reduction of total P in eight rivers, of ammonia N in five rivers, of nitrate + nitrite in four rivers, of total filtered N in three rivers and of suspended solids in two rivers. An increase of turbidity was observed in four rivers and, for fecal coliforms, no trends. P decrease can be explained by reduced mineral P inputs on cropped lands related to means such as agro-environmental fertilization plans and addition of phytase in pig and poultry feed. However, for seven of them, median P concentrations remain at least two times greater than the Québec water quality guideline for protection of rivers against eutrophication. Concentrations of other parameters remain problematic in some rivers too. These results indicate the need to continue the efforts for further diffuse pollution reduction. Future work should better quantify actions taken at the watershed scale to reduce diffuse pollution.

Biodegradation of wastewater containing cyanide, acetonitrile, and acrylonitrile using RBC and shock loading study

AbstractA laboratory scale rotating biological contactor (RBC) was used to study the biodegradation of synthetic wastewater similar to the one from the petrochemical industry producing acrylonitrile (ACR). The study was carried out at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 30 h for simultaneous removal of cyanide (CN), acetonitrile (ACN), and ACR in petrochemical wastewater stream. The attached biomass was acclimatised by gradually increasing CN, ACN, and ACR concentration from 5 to 40, 41 to 113, and 45 to 142 mg L−1, respectively, with simultaneous increase in the concentration of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium nitrogen at HRT of 30 h. During acclimatisation the percent removal of COD, CN, ACN, and ACR were 90–95, &gt;99, 80–94, and 80–88, respectively. The performance of RBC was monitored for various parameters like COD, 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand at 20°C (BOD5), CN, ACN, ACR, ammonium nitrogen, etc. The removals obtained in terms of percentage, for CN, ACN, ACR, and COD were 97, 81, 89, and 95, respectively, at HRT 30 h. The quantitative shocks consisting of increase in influent substrate concentration with subsequent increase in concentration of other parameters proportionally were studied. The variation of biomass concentration within the system was also studied.

QUALITY OF RUNOFF FROM PLOTS TREATED WITH MUNICIPAL SLUDGE AND HORSE BEDDING

Land application of horse stall bedding and municipal sludge can increase runoff concentrations of nutrients,organic matter, and bacteria as well as steroidal hormones such as estrogen. Concentrations of materials in runoff fromsites treated with animal manure can be reduced by aluminum sulfate, or alum [Al2(SO4)314H2O] treatment. Theobjectives of this study were to assess plots treated with horse stall bedding or municipal sludge for: (a) runoff quality[concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), orthophosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P), fecalcoliform (FC), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 17- estradiol (17 -E, a form of estrogen)]; (b) changes in runoffquality caused by alum treatment; and (c) time variations in concentrations of the analysis parameters. Horse beddingand municipal sludge were applied to twelve 2.4 6.1 m fescue plots (six each for the bedding and sludge). Three of thebedding-treated and three of the sludge-treated plots were also treated with alum. Simulated rainfall (64 mm/h) wasapplied to the 12 treated plots and to three control (no treatment) plots. The data were analyzed as originating fromseparate completely randomized, one-way designs with three replications of each treatment. The first design had treatmentlevels of bedding, bedding and sludge, and control, while the second design had treatment levels of sludge, sludge andalum, and control. The control data were common to both designs. The first 0.5 h runoff was sampled and analyzed for theparameters described above. Analysis parameter concentrations for the waste treated plots were generally lower thanthose previously reported for runoff after organic treatments. In some cases, concentrations were no different from thecontrols. Mass losses of all parameters were low and agronomically insignificant. Alum addition decreased runoff PO4-Pconcentrations and increased NO3-N concentrations but had no effect on concentrations of other parameters. Asignificant effect of alum addition on 17 -E and COD concentrations was anticipated on the basis of previous studies; itsabsence might have been due to inadequate mixing or interval between addition and simulated rainfall. Relationshipsbetween concentration and collection time followed two patterns: (a) highest concentrations occurring during the firstsample (two minutes following runoff initiation; NO3-N, COD, FC and 17 -E) and (b) delay in peak concentration untilfour minutes following runoff initiation (NH3-N and PO4-P). The detection of different general relationships betweenconcentration and time suggests that different mechanisms are dominant in transport of the parameters analyzed.

STREAM QUALITY IMPACTS OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN A NORTHWESTERN ARKANSAS BASIN1

ABSTRACT: A variety of management options are used to minimize losses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and other potential pollutants from agricultural source areas. There is little information available, however, to indicate the effectiveness of these options (sometimes referred to as Best Management Practices, or BMPs) on basin scales. The objective of this study was to assess the water quality effectiveness of BMPs implemented in the 3240 ha Lincoln Lake basin in Northwest Arkansas. Land use in the basin was primarily forest (34 percent) and pasture (56 percent), with much of the pasture being regularly treated with animal manures. The BMPs were oriented toward minimizing the impact of confined animal operations in the basin and included nutrient management, dead bird composter construction, and other practices. Stream flow samples (representing primarily base flow conditions) were collected bi‐weekly from five sites within the basin from September 1991 through April 1994 and analyzed for nitrate N (NO3‐N), ammonia N (NH3‐N), total Kjeldahl N (TKN), ortho‐P (PO4‐P), total P (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solids (TSS). Mean concentrations of PO4‐P, TP, and TSS were highest for subbasins with the highest proportions of pasture land use. Concentrations of NH3‐N, TKN, and COD decreased significantly with time (35–75 percent/year) for all sub‐basins, while concentrations of other parameters were generally stable. The declines in analysis parameter concentrations are attributed to the implementation of BMPs in the basin since (a) the results are consistent with what would be expected for the particular BMPs implemented and (b) no other known activities in the basin would have caused the declines in analysis parameter concentrations.