Riverine Areas Research Articles

Habitat use of and threats to African large carnivores in a mixed-uselandscape.

Large carnivores increasingly inhabit human-affected landscapes, which exhibit heterogeneity in biotic resources, anthropogenic pressures, and management strategies. Understanding large carnivore habitat use in these systems is critical for their conservation, as is the evaluation of competing management approaches and the impacts of significant land-use changes. We used occupancy modeling to investigate habitat use of an intact eastern African large carnivore guild across the 45,000 km2 Ruaha-Rungwa landscape in south-central Tanzania. We determined the relative impact on five large carnivore species of biotic, anthropogenic, and management factors at the scales of home range selection and short-term use within home ranges. We also specifically tested the effect of abandonment of trophy hunting areas on large carnivore occurrence. Patterns of habitat use differed among species. Lions (Panthera leo) appeared affected by top-down limitation, as their occurrence was significantly negatively associated with illegal human activity (β = -0.63 [SE 0.28]). African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), instead, were limited by biotic features; the species was negatively associated with riverine areas of high sympatric predator density (β = -1.00 [SE 0.43]) and used less-productive habitats. Spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and leopard (Panthera pardus) persisted in more disturbed areas and across habitat types. Large carnivore occurrence was not affected by whether an area was used for photographic or trophy hunting tourism; regular law enforcement was instead a better predictor of occurrence. All species fared better in actively managed hunting areas than those that had been abandoned by operators. Overall, our findings highlight the divergent habitat requirements within large carnivore guilds and the importance of adopting an integrated approach to large carnivore conservation planning in modern systems. We also identified a novel threat to African conservation areas in the form of decreased management investments associated with the abandonment of trophy hunting areas.

Geophysical Well Logging Approach Towards Resolving Groundwater Problems of Kolo Community Niger Delta, Nigeria

The need to find suitable aquifers for underground water production for the use of Kolo Community in Niger Delta Southern Nigeria was identified. Four pilot boreholes were drilled to the depth of 100m each with Gamma Ray and Electric logs comprising of SP, SPR, Resistivity (N8, N16, N32, and N64) ran in the four wells to their total drilled depths. From the gamma ray log, five to six aquifers with average thickness varying from 2m to 19m were identified. Resistivity data obtained were generally low and resistivity values above 600 Ohm-m were recorded to be aquifers with higher groundwater quality and aquifers with resistivity values below 600 Ohm-M were considered to be highly contaminated. For Kolo community, fresh water exploitation should be done with boreholes drilled to a depth of approximately 60metres and the borehole screen properly placed between 48 to 57 meters. It is hereby concluded that the gamma ray and electric logs can effectively be utilized to characterize aquifers to solve underground water problems in riverine areas of the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

An investigative screening of heavy metal contamination of Amaranthus spp grown along Ibi river-bank,Taraba State, Nigeria

Agricultural activities around river bank are popular practice in most riverine areas in Nigeria. Vegetables are the commonest agricultural commodity that are grown around the river bank and are averagely the most consumed food product in Nigeria. An investigative screening of metallic contamination of Amaranthus spp grown in three farms around river Ibi bank showed a level of metallic deposition: Cadmium (Cd), (2.25±0.63, 3.28±0.55, 2.51±0.03) ppm; Lead (Pb), (1.83±0.51, 0.54±0.03, 1.06±0.13) ppm; Mercury (Hg), (0.53±0.01, 1.03±0.01, 0.66±0.01) ppm; Arsenic (As), (0.50±0.72, 0.51±0.06, 0.62±0.15) ppm and Chromium (Cr), (4.26±0.51, 2.66±0.22, 1.75±0.38) ppm. Descending order of the mean concentrations of the trace metals detected from analyzed sample of Amaranthus spp from the three locations are as follows; Farm A: Cr>Cd>As>Pb>Hg, Farm B: Cd>Cr>Hg>Pb>As, Farm C: Cd>Cr>Pb>Hg>As. Amaranthus spp cultivated along Ibi river bank has shown a reasonable amount of deposition of heavy metals, therefore, are not totally safe. The metallic content in Amaranthus spp sample collected in farms along Ibi river bank ranges; 0.50±0.72 to 4.26±0.51 in sample A, 0.51±0.06 to 3.28±0.55 in sample B and 0.62±0.15 to 2.51±0.03 in sample C. The metallic deposition detected from analyzed Amaranthus spp showed values that are above the World Health Organization set permissible limit (Pb-0.3ppm; Cd-0.2 ppm; As-0.5ppm; Hg-0.5ppm; Cr-0.5ppm). Bioaccumulation of these metallic substances in the human system as a result of long-term consumption of the vegetables poses a deleterious health effect. This study aimed at ascertaining the food safety of agricultural products cultivated around Ibi river bank.

Livelihood Pattern of Riverine Areas of Dibrugarh District and its Prospects of Livelihood Diversification

Background: Diversification is a continuous adaptive process whereby household add new ctivities maintain existing one or drop others, thereby maintaining diverse and changing make greater contribution to general livelihood portfolios. Livelihood in rural areas is very erratic and risk hidden. The land-based livelihood of small and marginal farmers is becoming unsustainable in recent times due to continuous flood and decrease in availability of arable land. Diversification activities make greater contribution ta key strategy by which people try to improve the generate cash incomes for poor households and it is a key strategy by which people try to improve their wellbeing. Methods: Based on the primary and secondary data, Barbarua Development Block is finally selected for the study. In the block itself three nos Missing community dominated villages and three nos Scheduled Caste dominated villages are selected for the study. Through random sampling, 10 households of each diverse socio economic background are selected from each village. Semi structured schedules are prepared for interviewing the villagers, local village head (Gaon Burah), school teacher, unemployed youth, agricultural labour, landless people and women. Result: As the entire survey area is inundated by flood water in every year, a part from farm activities various income generating activities carried out under livelihood diversification. Some households end upon multiple activities. A common pattern is for every poor and the comprehensive well-off households to have most diverse livelihood. Farm income accounts for 54.0 per cent of the total household income coming from off farm activities. It is also revealed that 44 per cent households prefer livelihood diversification due to limited agricultural income. About 22 per cent reported that the availability of non-farm activities encouraged them to adopt non farm activities. Managing livelihood has always been a critical factor or challenge among the poor in everywhere.

Rural livelihood risk to hydro-meteorological extreme events: Empirical evidence from Indian Sundarban applying IPCC-AR5 and DEMATEL methodology

The Sundarbans, located at the southern end of West Bengal (India), is a prominent climatic hotspot. For a long time, the delta has been facing major climatic and other socio-ecological adversities. The purpose of this study is to look at how vulnerable rural livelihoods are to climate-related catastrophic events in our study area. Many authors have tried to investigate micro-level livelihood vulnerability and climate risk among 15 villages of Sundarban using hazard, exposure, sensitivity and coping capacity, addressing IPCC-AR5 (2014) framework. In the quantitative phase, DEMATEL technique has been used. The overall risks calculated from the components of IPCC-AR5, show that households in Kakdwip Subdivision that rely on nature, are extremely vulnerable to climate change, with an index of 0.601 (in island villages) compared to 0.217 in inland villages. According to the IPCC-AR5 risk assessment, farming and fishing households in coastal communities were also more vulnerable, with an index of 0.427, compared to those in riverine areas, with an index of 0.345. The violin plot clearly indicates which quartile a household belongs to, as well as the risk level among residents in different geographic places. DEMATEL analysis has been used to assist policymakers in understanding climate-resilient pathways. Following the DEMATEL technique to the IPCC AR5 components, additional indicators of the specific components have been considered in order to determine the nature of causal influences between them. The paper reveals that despite the fact that climate change-related uncertainties are increasing, local people are accustomed to living with and managing with them.

Delineating the Crop-Land Dynamic due to Extreme Environment Using Landsat Datasets: A Case Study

Extreme climatic conditions and natural hazard-related phenomenon have been affecting coastal regions and riverine areas. Floods, cyclones, and climate change phenomena have hammered the natural environment and increased the land dynamic, socio-economic vulnerability, and food scarcity. Saltwater intrusion has also triggered cropland vulnerability and, therefore, increased the area of inland brackish water fishery. The cropland area has decreased due to low soil fertility; around 252.06 km2 of cropland area has been lost, and 326.58 km2 of water bodies or inland fishery area has been added in just thirty years in the selected blocks of the North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. After saltwater intrusion, soil fertility appears to have been decreased and crop production has been greatly reduced. The cropland areas were 586.52 km2 (1990), 419.92 km2 (2000), 361.67 km2 (2010) and 334.46 km2 (2020). Gradually the water body areas were increased 156.21 km2 (1990), 328.15 km2 (2000), 397.77 km2 (2010) and 482.78 km2 (2020). The vegetated land area also decreased due to it being converted into inland fishery areas, and around 79.15 km2 were degraded during the last thirty years. The super cyclone Aila, along with other super cyclones and other environmental stresses, like water-logging, soil salinity, and irrigation water scarcity were the reasons for the development of the new fishery areas in the selected blocks. There is a need for proper planning for sustainable development of this area.

A Comprehensive Appraisal of the Farming Scenario in Riverine Areas of Lower Assam, India

The present investigation was undertaken to study the comprehensive appraisal of the farming scenario of Riverine (Char) areas of lower Assam based on prevailing climatic parameters, soil properties, present cropping patterns and farmers socio-economic conditions. Three Chars of the district, viz., Faujdar Char, Simlabari and Bamunpara Part IV were selected for the study. The study used a multistage purposive cum random sampling design. The average monthly temperature in the chars ranged from 18.9 to 28.6oC, which was usually suitable for most crops like sali paddy, maize, chilli etc. The analysis of physics-chemical parameters of the soil reveals a predominance of sand and sandy loam texture. The available N, P and K contents ranged from 84.2 to 108.5, 38.6 to 42.3 and 127.9 to 152.6 kg/ha, respectively. The average yield efficiency percentages were observed highest (320.21%) in potato. The per cent pest infestation was recorded as15-25% for almost all the crops studied.

Analyses of driving factors on the spatial variations in regional eco-environmental quality using two types of species distribution models: A case study of Minjiang River Basin, China

Understanding the spatial variations in regional eco-environmental quality and their driving factors is essential for environmental management and protection. However, the lack of quantitative analyses in relevant studies has often hindered the formulation and implementation of effective eco-environmental policies. Taking Minjiang River Basin as an example, we used the remote sensing ecological indices (RSEI) to objectively and quantitatively characterize the eco-environmental quality. We also introduced and compared the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) and the random forest models to identify the critical driving factors. Results showed that the eco-environmental quality of Minjiang River Basin in 2020 was good overall, and the areas with good or excellent eco-environmental quality accounted for 58%. The areas with poor eco-environmental quality were mainly distributed in the periphery of the basin and the riverine areas. Both the MaxEnt and the random forest models were applicable to identify the critical driving factors and indicated that the degrees of landscape fragmentation and drastic land use were the main factors causing spatial variation of eco-environmental quality in the Minjiang River Basin. This study provides a new perspective and method for quantitative analysis of the driving factors of the spatial variations in regional eco-environmental quality for future eco-environmental management and protection.

Measuring Perceived Psychological Stress in Urban Built Environments Using Google Street View and Deep Learning.

An urban built environment is an important part of the daily lives of urban residents. Correspondingly, a poor design can lead to psychological stress, which can be harmful to their psychological and physical well-being. The relationship between the urban built environment and the perceived psychological stress of residents is a significant in many disciplines. Further research is needed to determine the stress level experienced by residents in the built environment on a large scale and identify the relationship between the visual components of the built environment and perceived psychological stress. Recent developments in big data and deep learning technology mean that the technical support required to measure the perceived psychological stress of residents has now become available. In this context, this study explored a method for a rapid and large-scale determination of the perceived psychological stress among urban residents through a deep learning approach. An empirical study was conducted in Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea, and the SegNet deep learning algorithm was used to segment and classify the visual elements of street views. In addition, a human–machine adversarial model using random forest as a framework was employed to score the perception of the perceived psychological stress in the built environment. Consequently, we found a strong spatial autocorrelation in the perceived psychological stress in space, with more low-low clusters in the urban traffic arteries and riverine areas in Gangnam district and more high-high clusters in the commercial and residential areas. We also analyzed the street view images for three types of stress perception (i.e., low, medium and high) and obtained the percentage of each street view element combination under different stresses. Using multiple linear regression, we found that walls and buildings cause psychological stress, whereas sky, trees and roads relieve it. Our analytical study integrates street view big data with deep learning and proposes an innovative method for measuring the perceived psychological stress of residents in the built environment. The research methodology and results can be a reference for urban planning and design from a human centered perspective.

Excess load on ships and its effects on stability performance in Nigerian waterways

This research has been carried out to examine the impact of excess shipload on ship performance and stability. The objectives are to analyse the trend of sinking ships in Nigeria occasioned to ship excess load. Secondly, to examine the relationship between load size and ship stability and identify the various factors responsible for ship instability. Data were gathered from operators in the maritime industry using structured questionnaires and interviews as data collection instruments. Four significant stakeholders that can provide information based on their involvement across three strata of management, operation and general cadre were sampled. Pearson Moment Correlation technique has been used to examine the relationship between load size and ship stability, and Analysis of Variance-one was used to identify the various factors responsible for ship instability. The Pearson Moment Correlation technique analysis shows a significant relationship between load size and stability. The analysis of variance revealed that "hogging and sagging" is the most crucial factor among the factors identified for ship instability. It has the highest value of F-ratio of 17.837 with a significance at p<0.05. The research concluded that resultant accidents from the instability of vessels are caused majorly by hogging and sagging of vessels, and notably, the occurrence is much in riverine areas in Nigeria. Loading the vessel has a relationship with the vessel's stability, as depicted from the analysis in this research. Recommendations on how to enhance stability through boat construction, shipbuilding, loading and passenger's use of life jackets, among others were made.

Spatiotemporal Variations and Driving Factors of Ecological Land during Urbanization—A Case Study in the Yangtze River’s Lower Reaches

Ecological land change is an important indicator of eco-environment quality when balancing urbanization and regional ecological safety. Nantong, located in the Yangtze River’s lower reaches, has experienced rapid urbanization since the reform and opening-up policy was implemented in China in 1978. To ensure the regional ecological conservation and restoration of the Yangtze River and the city’s sustainable development, we used remote sensing technology and statistical yearbook data as well as land use dynamic degree (LUDD) and Geodetector methods to determine the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological land in the Nantong riverine area from 1980 to 2020 and further discussed the potential driving factors. We found that (1) from 1980 to 2020, the major types of ecological land changed from cropland (82.08%), water (17.19%), and grassland (0.69%) to cropland (70.11%), water (26.98%), and forestland (2.25%), and the ecological land area decreased by 4091.36 km2 during the same period with a significantly increased dynamic degree of land use. (2) Spatial heterogeneity existed in the distribution and variation of ecological land. Water was the dominant ecological land use in the Yangtze River levee’s inner area, with transitions to cropland and impervious surfaces as the primary conversion types; cropland was the primary land use in the levee’s external area, with transitions from cropland and water to impervious surface as the primary conversion types. In addition, in cities with an early start and a high level of urbanization, most of the ecological land had been converted to impervious surfaces by urban development, whereas cities without those characteristics had retained more of their ecological land. (3) Ecological land change was influenced by a combination of natural and socio-economic factors, and there were enhanced-bi and enhanced-nonlinear interactions between them. (4) The dominant factors influencing ecological land changes during the three stages of urbanization (1980–2000, 2000–2010, and 2010–2020) were the distance to the Yangtze River, the population, and the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of secondary industry, respectively. The role of environmental policies has gradually increased in recent years, which has played a positive role in ecological land use restoration. The findings of this study can assist policymakers in optimizing land use and restoring ecological space to conserve biodiversity.

Determinants of severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6\u201336\xa0months in Kalafo district (riverine context) of Ethiopia

Malnutrition remains prevalent and existing health problem globally. Particularly Undernutrition is a major public health issue in developing countries. Globally the causes of severe acute undernutrition varies across context. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of severe acute malnutrition to uncover contextual factors based on UNICEF conceptual framework, as there was no study done in a similar context in Ethiopia. Health facility based (health post) un-matched case control study with Key informant interview was conducted to identify determinant factors of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children between 6 and 36 months. 246 children (82 cases and 164) with their mothers or care takers participated the study which was conducted between December 20, 2019 to January 20, 2020 in Kalafo district in Shebele River. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to identify the determinants of SAM among children aged 6–36 months using multivariate logistic regression. The odds of severe acute malnutrition was 2.28 (1.22, 4.26); 4.68 (2.29, 9.58); 2.85 (1.26, 6.45); 2.39 (1.16, 4.96) and 3.262 (1.46, 7.31) and 3.237 (1.45, 7.23); respectively for mothers with three or more under five children, Children with inadequate dietary diversity, experienced diarrhea in past 2 weeks, their mothers had not nutrition counselling during pregnancy and younger (6–11 and 12–17 months) children as compared to controls. The finding of this study reveals the main determinants of severe acute malnutrition in riverine context are multi-level. In addition to this, poor childcare and polygamy identified in qualitative finding. Decisive and multi-sectoral approach is required to addressing SAM in the riverine area.

Gut Content and Viscerosomatic Index Analysis of Family Clariidae in the Riverine Area of South Western Nigeria

Fish gut content analyses refer to methods of analyzing fish diet through assessment of materials found in dissected fish stomach. This work was conducted to determine the gut content, most frequently consumed prey and viscerosomatic index of the Clariidae species found in riverine area in south western Nigeria. The study spanned for six months (December, 2020 to May, 2021). Fish samples were examined fresh using frequency of occurrence, number and degree of fullness to examine the guts. Out of the 99 specimens collected in total, 45.83% and 54.17% of Clarias gariepinus, had ¼ full stomachs and half full stomachs respectively; 60%, 36.67%, 3.33% of Clarias jaensis had ¼ full, half full and ¾ full stomachs stomachs respectively, 63.33% and 36.67% of Clarias anguillaris had ¼ full and half full stomachs respectively while Clarias agboyiensis and Clarias pachynema species had similar stomach fullness of 33.33% for ¼ fullness and 66.67% for half fullness with none of the species having empty nor 100% full stomachs. Result also showed that the examined species are indiscriminate feeders; feeding on both plants and animals. The viscerosomatic index showed that the species had more flesh than carcass, giving an inference that the species have reasonable nutritional value and FCR. In conclusion, the Clariidae species were found to be omnivores and as such are to be provided with more natural materials in their environment for proper growth.

Pesticide residues in juvenile Chinook salmon and prey items of the Sacramento River watershed, California – A comparison of riverine and floodplain habitats

Juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of the Sacramento River system encounter many anthropogenically-induced stressors while rearing and migrating to the Pacific Ocean. Located in a prominent agricultural region, the watershed serves as a source of notable contaminants including pesticides. Salmon rearing in riverine and floodplain areas are potentially exposed to these compounds via dietary exposure, which can vary based on selected food webs. Previous studies have suggested that juvenile Chinook salmon rearing in riverine and floodplain environments of the Sacramento River watershed are characterized by different dietary preferences, with potential for contrasting pesticide exposure between habitats. To examine the potential for pesticide exposure, juvenile Chinook salmon and known dietary items were collected in the mainstem Sacramento River and an adjacent floodplain, the Yolo Bypass, in 2019 and 2020, and analyzed for 33 pesticides, including degradates and isomers. Organochlorine pesticides including the DDX group (p,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDD and p,p’-DDE) were prevalent in all examined biota. There was a significantly greater number of total pesticide detections across all classes in zooplankton compared to macroinvertebrates, coupled with higher bifenthrin concentrations in zooplankton across regions and years, which may indicate different exposure potential depending on fish dietary preferences. Detection frequencies and concentrations of organochlorines were higher in prey items during flooding than in drought conditions, suggesting resuspension of legacy compounds. Significantly higher concentrations of organochlorines were recorded in floodplain rearing fish compared to the Sacramento River. These findings suggest that within these habitats, juvenile Chinook salmon feeding primarily on zooplankton within the water column may be exposed to a greater range of pesticides than those feeding on benthic macroinvertebrates, and that the benefits of floodplain rearing may come at a cost of increased organochlorine exposure.

Channel planform changes on the lower Peiros River (Patras, Greece): 1945-2018 comparison

Changes between the active channel planform features of the lower Peiros River in 1945 and 2018 were examined through a multitemporal analysis performed in a GIS environment. The active channel experienced a consistent and rather generalized narrowing process (overall 71.6%, up to 84.3% at the reach-scale) along with localized increases of sinuosity and channel pattern variations associated with the disappearance of secondary channels and bars. Negligible changes in length occurred but the river mouth retreated by approximately 160 m. Large riverine areas disconnected from the active channel were involved in a peri-urbanization process and, thus, occupied by human activities and infrastructures; this resulted in anthropogenic landform modelling and increase in vulnerable elements exposed to hydrogeomorphic hazards. The observed active-channel planform changes could be, at least partly, human-induced. Further research is needed to define the Peiros River geomorphological evolution. The outcomes from this study represent an essential preliminary knowledge base under a river management perspective.

Mercury Contamination: A Growing Threat to Riverine and Urban Communities in the Brazilian Amazon.

In recent decades, widespread and uncontrolled use of mercury (Hg) in artisanal small-scale gold mining has released thousands of tons of mercury-contaminated waste in the Amazon biome, endangering the largest tropical rainforest worldwide. In this study, we assessed and compared blood Hg levels in individuals living in urban and riverine areas in the lower Tapajós basin and examined the association between Hg exposure and specific biochemical parameters. In total, 462 adults from eight riverine communities and one urban area were assessed. Overall, 75.6% of the participants exhibited Hg concentrations exceeding the safe limit (10 µg/L). Hg exposure was higher in the riverine population (90%) than in urban areas (57.1%). Mean Hg levels were 21.8 ± 30.9 µg/L and 50.6 µg/L in urban and riverine residents, respectively. The mean Hg level was higher in those aged 41–60 years in both urban and riparian areas, with riparian residents exhibiting a mean double that of urban residents. The highest glucose and hepatic biomarker levels were detected in the urban area, whereas the highest levels of renal biomarker occurred in the riverine population. Our results indicate that Hg contamination remains a persistent challenge for the urban population of Santarém, a major city in the Brazilian Amazon.

Use of 1D Unsteady HEC-RAS in a Coupled System for Compound Flood Modeling: North Carolina Case Study

The research presented herein develops and compares an ADCIRC and ADCIRC/HEC-RAS (1D) paired model for the purpose of compound flood modeling within the Tar River and Pamlico Sound basins of North Carolina. Both the ADCIRC and 1D HEC-RAS models are capable of simulating river systems but differ in their underlying numerical formulations. A case-study comparison of each model’s ability to simulate flooding accurately and quickly in a riverine/estuarine system is investigated herein; results may serve as a valuable reference to forecasters and model developers. Individual models of the Tar River and Pamlico Sound area in North Carolina were used, and pairings of these models were devised to determine the benefits and drawbacks of using ADCIRC alone, or ADCIRC + 1D HEC-RAS, to simulate the response of the Tar River and Pamlico Sound during three test events: Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Floyd, and an unnamed April 2003 event. With increased emphasis on predicting total water levels, the results of this study can provide information for the possible development of similarly paired models for coastal river systems across the US and improve the body of knowledge about each model’s relative performance in riverine and estuarine areas.

Effects of land use on the heavy metal pollution in mangrove sediments: Study on a whole island scale in Hainan, China

In recent decades, mangrove ecosystems at coastal zone are experiencing rapid land-use conversion, however effects of land use on the heavy metal pollution in mangrove sediments still are not clear. This study investigated the concentration and distribution of heavy metals (including chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd)) in different mangrove sediments with different land-use patterns along seashore of the whole Hainan island (with the third largest mangrove area of China). The effects of land use on the accumulation of heavy metals in these mangrove sediments are also analyzed. The results showed contaminations of ∑6Metals in this study following the order of arable lands (ARAB) > aquaculture ponds (AQUA) > riverine area (RIVER) > ecological area (ECOL) > construction area (CONS). Accumulation degree of As and Cd were high in the AQUA, ARAB, and RIVER area. As metal hotspots, ARAB, RIVER and AQUA area showed the deteriorated sediment quality with high pollution load index (>1). Redundancy discriminate analysis revealed that mangrove, paddy lands and aquaculture ponds related activities correlated well with the metal pollution. The results clearly revealed that different land uses would not only change the accumulation capacity of mangrove soil for heavy metals, but also contribute different sources of heavy metal pollution. These findings do help to facilitate land-use planning and contribute to guide a better mangrove wetland management at coastal zone.

Assessment of gross alpha and beta radioactivity in some vegetable species of Komadugu Yobe riverine areas of Yobe State, Nigeria

Vegetables constitute an important part of human diet since they contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. However, resulting from human and animal activities, it is usually contaminated with solid and human waste, effluents from chemical industries and radionuclides. This study investigated the gross alpha and beta activities (GABAs) in Vegetables of Komadugu-Yobe riverine areas of Yobe state, Nigeria. Vegetable (onion, pepper and tomato) samples were collected and analyzed using MPC-2000DP Low Background proportional counter. The GABA result indicated that all the alpha concentrations in all the three samples (onion,pepper and tomato) has alpha concentrations above the WHO benchmark except in location B (Azbak) for pepper sample which have value 0.09670±0.00260 Bq/kg. Beta activity concentrations in the samples analyzed across the study area were below the WHO 1.0 Bq/kg benchmark. This is in agreement with previous study which revealed that beta concentrations of study area in river water samples along Komadugu-Yobe River were within the typical world average values. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that all the vegetable samples analyzed have significant radiological health burden on the environment and the populace except locations B pepper. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be intensified to identify further sources of contaminations with a view to addressing the long standing renal and kidney failure experienced by people in the study area.

THE INFLUENCE OF BLACK SEA CHARACTERISTICS OVER JOINT OPERATIONS

In this endeavour, it is proposed to identify some military characteristics of the Black Sea, in terms of narrow sea, that can influence the development of military action in a joint context. This will highlight the role and place of naval force in capitalizing on the optimal potential to support coastal actions carried out by the land force. The novelty of this approach is underlined by the fact that the research result is based on the cooperation of specialists from the Romanian Naval Forces with specialists from the Land Forces, following war games and the use of other research tools specific to the military science field. The originality lies precisely in the fact that the particular missions of the naval forces during the support of the land forces were identified by the authors through the experience gained in exercises carried out at the “Carol I” National Defence University. The final product will make that correspondence between the characteristics of the Black Sea and the necessary capabilities, intended to manifest maritime power, through an appropriate response in the case of joint military actions, which will contribute to supporting national interests at the maritime and riverine areas.