Sources In Nigeria Research Articles

A Review on Heavy Metal Concentration in Potable Water Sources in Nigeria: Human Health Effects and Mitigating Measures

Nigeria is one of the most populated black nation in the world with a population of about 170 million. Over the years, potable water source which is one of the basic essential requirements for healthy living has been challenging due to inadequate controlled anthropogenic activities and by lesser extent natural conditions. This paper reviews the various potable water sources, heavy metal concentration, and its associated health effects in Nigeria. The study found that surface water such as stream, river, lake; ground water including borehole and hand-dug well; rain water; and packaged water such as bottled and sachet are the major source of potable water. The dominant heavy metals found in potable water include iron, zinc, copper, chromium, lead, and manganese. The concentration of heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, iron, cobalt, manganese, chromium, nickel, zinc, and copper often exceed the maximum permissible limit recommended by standard organization of Nigeria and World Health Organization. The concentration of heavy metals fluctuates in most states/geographical coverage depending on the type of potable water sources. To a large extent, industrialization causes heavy metals concentration to exceed the permissible limits. The high concentration reported in most locations could cause various disease conditions depending on the type of metal and level of exposure. This study also suggest possible treatment and mitigating measures to avoid such harmful effects.

Detection of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases Resistance Genes among Bacteria Isolated from Selected Drinking Water Distribution Channels in Southwestern Nigeria.

Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) provide high level resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics among bacteria. In this study, previously described multidrug resistant bacteria from raw, treated, and municipal taps of DWDS from selected dams in southwestern Nigeria were assessed for the presence of ESBL resistance genes which include bla TEM, bla SHV, and bla CTX by PCR amplification. A total of 164 bacteria spread across treated (33), raw (66), and municipal taps (68), belonging to α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, Flavobacteriia, Bacilli, and Actinobacteria group, were selected for this study. Among these bacteria, the most commonly observed resistance was for ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (61 isolates). Sixty-one isolates carried at least one of the targeted ESBL genes with bla TEM being the most abundant (50/61) and bla CTX being detected least (3/61). Klebsiella was the most frequently identified genus (18.03%) to harbour ESBL gene followed by Proteus (14.75%). Moreover, combinations of two ESBL genes, bla SHV + bla TEM or bla CTX + bla TEM, were observed in 11 and 1 isolate, respectively. In conclusion, classic bla TEM ESBL gene was present in multiple bacterial strains that were isolated from DWDS sources in Nigeria. These environments may serve as foci exchange of genetic traits in a diversity of Gram-negative bacteria.

Determinants of Supply of Funds to Agricultural Sector from Formal Sources in Nigeria from 1992 to 2012

Determinants of Supply of Funds to Agricultural Sector from Formal Sources in Nigeria from 1992 to 2012

Renewable Energy in Nigeria: The Challenges and Opportunities in Mountainous and Riverine Regions

Renewable energy system has become a salient alternative of power in remote small mountainous and riverine regions. High cost of electricity supply and carbon emission reduction could be achieved with the use of renewable energy. This work presents the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy in Nigeria. The various renewable energy sources in Nigeria and their potential was discussed in light of the established master plan of the energy commission of Nigeria. Some of the challenges facing renewable energy development and implementation were highlighted and the various opportunities available were also emphasized. A micro power off grid system made of Biomass, Hydro and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) was proposed to power a mountainous and riverine region that is not grid connected based on the renewable energy potentials available in the region. This topology would not only help reduce the cost of electricity production, but also improve the carbon credit, making the environment eco-friendly.

Challenges in setting up quality control in diagnostic radiology facilities in Nigeria

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established to regulate and control the use of radioactive and radiation emitting sources in Nigeria. Quality control (QC) on diagnostic radiology equipment form part of the fundamental requirements for the authorization of diagnostic radiology facilities in the Country.Some quality control tests (output, exposure linearity and reproducibility) were measured on the x-ray machines in the facilities that took part in the study. Questionnaire was developed to evaluate the frequencies at which QC tests were conducted in the facilities and the challenges in setting up QC.Results show great variation in the values of the QC parameters measured. Inadequate cooperation by facilities management, lack of QC equipment and insufficient staff form the major challenges in setting up QC in the facilities under study. The responses on the frequencies at which QC tests should be conducted did not correspond to the recommended standards; indicating that personnel were not familiar with QC implementation and may require further training on QC.

The Potential of Cocoa Pods and Plantain Peels as Renewable Sources in Nigeria

The use of thermochemical processes to convert biomass into energy products has continued to allay apprehensions arising from increasing depletion of fossil fuels and growing energy demand. Pyrolysis products (bio-oils and bio-chars) from cocoa pods and plantain peels have been characterized. Products distribution for cocoa pod and plantain peel was 29.4% and 38.1% condensate; 46.5% and 38.5% bio-char; and 24.1% and 23.4% noncondensable gas respectively. Bio-oils from the wastes were found to possess low acidity and improved stability upon storage. Over 70% oleic acid was obtained in cocoa pod bio-oil, which could serve as a raw material for many chemical industries. Bio-chars from both residues have higher heating value (HHV) as ˜22 MJ/kg and pH as ˜10 and could serve as renewable fuels in the country. SEM-EDS morphology and elemental composition revealed that these bio-chars contain about five elements essential for plant growth.

Incidence of Energy Poverty in Nigeria: A Critical Assessment

Despite abundant energy sources in Nigeria, three major strategic challenges militate against its efficiency. The aftermath of this inefficiency is health risk, increasing energy prices, low socioeconomic status of the population, increased National debt burden, and rising inflation and massive unemployment. This study is set out to consider an apt remediation for this state of affairs. Using random sampling, households are surveyed in six states of Nigeria and Abuja Federal Capital Territory across the six geopolitical zones. Electricity tariffs, Energy gaps between the high and low income earners, energy spending needs and incomes against a fixed threshold were investigated. A comparison from the income earned shows that above 10 percent of income earned are spent on energy; that both the high and low income earners are energy poor, but the low are more severely hit. The results show that the energy poverty from high energy cost and inefficiency fuels income inequality

Quantitative Genetic Variability in Picralima nitida (Stapf) from Seven Sources in Nigeria

Intraspecific variation in useful tree species is a requirement for any improvement program. Fruits of P. nitida were collected from seven different sources along its geographic range in Nigeria; metrical traits of seeds and resulting seedlings were assessed as well as the biomass. There were significant (p ≤ .05) differences in seed metrical traits of length, width, and weight. Seeds from J4 had the highest germination percentage of 95%, while Ore had the lowest percentage of 70. Highest mean values of 2.22 g, 3.11 cm, and 95 for weight, length, and number of seeds per pod, respectively, were obtained from Edo seeds. There were significant (p ≤ .05) differences in seedlings height, collar diameter, number of leaves, internodes, stem dry weight, root dry weight, leaf dry weight, total dry weight, and leaf area among the sources. The highest mean values of 4.33 cm (collar diameter), 2.31 cm (internodes length), were obtained from Edo collection. Other seedling traits and biomass indices were highest in J4 provenance. J4 seedlings had the highest average relative growth rate (RGR) values of 0.0450 gg−1 wk−1 while Etemi seedlings had the highest average net assimilation rate (NAR) value of 0.0063 g2 wk−1. J4 propagule had the best overall performance and is therefore recommended as a seed source for the improvement and conservation of Picralima nitida.

Clonal lineages of resistant (HLAR) & virulent Enterococcus faecalis isolates from diverse sources in Nigeria

Clonal lineages of resistant (HLAR) & virulent Enterococcus faecalis isolates from diverse sources in Nigeria

Persistence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky from poultry and poultry sources in Nigeria

This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance and clonality of Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky in poultry and poultry sources in Nigeria, and compared the isolates with the clone of S. Kentucky STI98-X1 CIPR using (PFGE) and (MIC). Fecal samples from chickens and poultry sources (litter, water, rodent and lizard fecal samples) were collected from fourteen (14) poultry farms in 2007, 2010 and 2011 and were analyzed for S. Kentucky. Six percent of the samples were positive for S. Kentucky - all resistant to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. The isolates are grouped within the PFGE cluster X1 of S. Kentucky STI98 CIPR, indicating the association to the emerging and widely spread CIPR S. Kentucky clone with poultry and poultry sources.

Overview of Recent Development in Energy Resources Law in Nigeria

Overview of Recent Development in Energy Resources Law in Nigeria

Microelectronics Manufacturing: The Nigerian Content

For several years now, Nigeria has been vocal on what she called ‘’Transfer of Technology’’. This is a good idea but the question is; have those technologies been transferred?. No one gives his secret of success and livelihood to another. The technology so sought must be home grown. This article is intended to find out what are available in Nigeria in the area of Microelectronic Manufacturing. Part one, presented in this volume, is titled Semiconductor Materials: The production of semiconductor material is the basis for microelectronic manufacturing. All the semiconductor materials are identified, projections are on their sources in Nigeria. Methods of preparation are explained from the perspective of methods employed in developed economies. The aim is to get at where in the manufacturing processes that we can deploy appropriate technology. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n12p77

Antibiotic resistance and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in Nigeria

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causing a wide range of infections in the hospital and community setting. In order to have adequate information for treatment of S. aureus infections, it is crucial to understand the trends in the antibiotic-resistance patterns. In addition, the occurrence and changes in types of S. aureus, clonal identities, and their geographic spread is essential for the establishment of adequate infection control programmes. In this study, 68 S. aureus isolates obtained from clinical and non-clinical sources in Nigeria between January and April 2009 were characterized using phenotypic and molecular methods.ResultsAll the S. aureus isolates were susceptible to teicoplanin, vancomycin, phosphomycin, fusidic acid, rifampicin, daptomycin, mupirocin, linezolid and tigecycline. Sixteen percent of the isolates were resistant to oxacillin, while 55% and 72% of isolates were resistant to tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole), respectively (Table 1). There was excellent correlation between the broth microdilution assay and detection of antibiotic resistance genes by the multiplex PCR, in the determination of S. aureus resistance to erythromycin, gentamicin, methicillin and tetracycline. A total of 28 spa types were identified in the study, and the predominant spa type among the methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates was t084 (13 isolates). The t037-ST241-SCCmecIII type was the only clone identified in Maiduguri (North-East Nigeria) while in South-West Nigeria, diversity among the MRSA isolates (t451-ST8-SCCmecV; t008-ST94-SCCmecIV; t002-ST5-SCCmecV; t064-ST8-SCCmecV) was observed. The toxin genes seh and etd were detected in isolates affiliated with clonal complexes CC1, CC80 and sequence type ST25, respectively. The proportion of PVL-positive isolates among MSSA was high (40%). Most of the PVL-positive MSSA isolates were obtained from wound infections and associated with clonal complexes CC1, CC30, CC121 and with sequence type ST152.Table 1Antibiotic resistance profile of S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA) from NigeriaNumber (%) of resistant isolates among:AntibioticMSSA(n = 57)MRSA(n = 11)Total(n = 68)Penicillin49 (86)11 (100)60 (88.2)Oxacillin0 (0)11 (100)11 (16.2)Teicoplanin0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Vancomycin0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Gentamicin1 (1.8)9 (81.8)10 (14.7)Tetracycline27 (47.4)11 (100)38 (55.9)Ciprofloxacin12 (21.1)8 (72.7)20 (29.4)Moxifloxacin0 (0)7 (63.6)7 (10.3)Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole39 (68.4)10 (90.9)49 (72.1)Phosphomycin0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Fusidic acid0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Erythromycin2 (3.5)6 (54.5)8 (11.8)Clindamycin0 (0)6 (54.5)6 (8.8)Rifampicin0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Daptomycin0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Mupirocin0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Linezolid0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)Tigecycline0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)ConclusionsThe use of phenotypic and molecular methods provided useful information on antibiotic resistance and molecular diversity of S. aureus in Nigeria. The high proportion of PVL-positive MSSA isolates affiliated to various clonal complexes and detected in all the health institutions is a major concern, both as a source of severe infections and as a potential reservoir that could lead to the emergence of PVL-positive MRSA. This study presents the first baseline information on the nature of the antibiotic resistance genes from S. aureus isolates in Nigeria. There is the need to curtail the spread and establishment of MRSA and PVL-positive MSSA clones in Nigerian health care institutions.

Energy Utilization and Renewable Energy Sources in Nigeria

In this study, cwrent and future perspectives of energy utilization and renewable energy options in Nigeria are examined and discussed from the standpoint of sustainable development. It is a well known fact that oil is Nigeria's major source of revenue and the mainstay of her economy hence, it is susceptible to global energy dynamics due to the cmmtry's nnstable policies. The escalating demand in energy arising from economic activities and an ever increasing population has not been matched by investment in the provision of infrastructure required to meet the energy needs. The over dependence on oil as a major source of energy has put the cmmtry at a risk in view of the fast diminishing oil reserves, inadequate refining capacity to meet domestic conswnption and serious cases of energy insecurity such as that of the Niger Delta. The electricity production capacity based largely on fossil fuel sources is at present below 3149 1.1W in a country with an approximate population of 150 million people. And yet her vast renewable energy resources comprising mainly hydro, solar, biomass and wind is very enormous and remain largely untapped. Energy projection based on four different growth scenarios shows a geometric increase in total energy demand by the year 2030. In this regard, full exploitation and promotion of renewable energy resources will provide a most efficient and effective means of achieving sustainable energy development in Nigeria.

Geographical mapping of fluoride levels in drinking water sources in Nigeria.

Knowledge of fluoride levels in drinking water is of importance in dental public health, yet this information is lacking, at national level, in Nigeria. To map out fluoride levels in drinking water sources in Nigeria. Fluoride levels in drinking water sources from 109 randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the 6 Nigerian geopolitical zones were determined. From the results, maps showing LGAs with fluoride concentrations exceeding 0.3 ppm, were drawn. ANOVA and t-test were used to determine the significance of the differences between the fluoride levels in the drinking water sources. Fluoride levels were low in most parts of the country, being 0.3 ppm or less in 62% of the LGAs. Fluoride concentrations were generally higher in North Central geopolitical zone, than the other zones in the country (p<0.05). In a few drinking water sources, fluoride concentrations exceeded 1.5 ppm, but was as high as 6.7 ppm in one well. Only 9% of the water sources were from waterworks. Most of the water sources in Nigeria contained low fluoride levels; but few had excessive concentrations and need to be partially defluoridated, or else alternative sources of drinking water provided for the community.

Seed Sources and Pre-Treatment Effects on the Emergence of Velvet Tamarind (Dialium guineense Willd) Seedlings

The study assessed the effects of seed sources and pretreatments on the germination of Dialium guineense Willd. Seeds were collected from four sources in Nigeria: Ijebu-Ode, Iperu, Odogbolu, and Moniya. Six hundred seeds from each progeny were weighed to determine differences in seed weight. Seeds were pretreated using six treatments: control, soaking in water at 90°C and allowing to cool overnight, soaking in water at room temperature, soaking in concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min represented as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6, respectively. Thirty seeds were assigned to each treatment with three replicates for all the seed sources studied. Seeds were sown in germination trays containing washed-sterilized river sand and set under high humidity propagator. Germination counts were taken daily until no further germination took place for 7 d. In all the progeny sources studied, T6 gave the highest mean germination percentage of 59.2 followed by T5 (57.5), T4 (35.8), T2 (21.7), T1 (8.3), while T3 gave the lowest value of 6.7. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences at p ≤ .05 in seed weight, mean germination percentage among seed sources, and treatments. Velvet tamarind has inherent seed coat dormancy that can be removed by pretreatment with concentrated H2SO4 for 10 and 15 min.

Heavy Metal Exposure from Personal Care Products

Numerous studies have described human exposure to heavy metals from diverse sources in Nigeria, but little is known about the exposure from personal care products, and few or no report is available on the personal care product concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc, which have biotic effects. The levels of these elements were determined in 74 samples of 5 different classes of personal care products commonly used in Nigeria using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Significant levels of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn were found in all the products. The highest values of Cd (0.553 ppm) and Cu (0.783 ppm) were observed in hair cream, while medicated cream was mostly implicated for Cr (0.383 ppm) and Zn (0.793 ppm). Since no limit relating to cosmetic products is available, it is difficult to ascertain if the values of metals obtained in this study are too high or low; but Cd and Cr are prohibited in any amount in cosmetics. Prolonged use of soaps and creams containing these elements may pose threat to human health and the environment.

Potential Availability of Energetically Usable Crop Residues in Nigeria

An assessment of the potential availability of selected residues from maize, cassava, millet, plantain, groundnuts, sorghum, oil palm, palm kernel, and cowpeas for possible conversion to renewable energy in Nigeria has been made. It is estimated that nearly 58 million tonnes of these residues were potentially available in the year 2004 with energy potential of about 20.8 million tonnes oil equivalents. The residue availability for 2010 is projected to be about 80 million tonnes. These residues, when converted to energetically usable forms, can substitute or complement the fossil energy sources in Nigeria by more than 80%.

Radionuclide contents in food products from domestic and imported sources inNigeria

Samples of some domestic and imported food products of nutritive importance toboth the child population and the adult population in Nigeria were collected andanalysed in order to determine their radionuclide contents. The samples werecollected from open markets in major commercial cities in the country. Gamma-rayspectrometry was employed in the determination of the radionuclide contentsin the products. The gamma-ray peaks observed with reliable regularity in allthe samples analysed belong to naturally occurring radionuclides, namely226Ra,228Th and 40K. The activity concentrations of these radionuclides in both the domestic and imported productswere observed to be not significantly different. Essentially radioactive elements such as137Cs were not detected in any of the samples. The non-detection of137Cs in the imported products may be attributed to the suitably modified agriculturalpractices and countermeasures being employed to reduce caesium uptake by plantsafter the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident. It seems unlikely that the elementalconcentrations in the food products analysed will contribute significantly to publichealth risks in the country, as the cumulative ingestion effective dose values from226Ra and228Th were found to below. Although 40K has the highest activity concentrations in all the samples analysed, it is usually underhomeostatic control in the body, and hence the concentrations are irrelevant to possiblecontamination in the food products analysed.

Enhancing provision of scientific and technical information in Nigerian libraries

PurposeThis paper is primarily aimed at enhancing provision of scientific and technological information (STI) in Nigerian libraries.Design/methodology/approachTheoretical approach was adopted in presenting information on this work. References were drawn from notable authorities to support discussions.FindingsThis paper reveals that science and technological information sources are increasing and very diverse, cutting across primary sources, secondary sources, tertiary sources, as well as non‐documentary sources and involving the use of modern facilities such as CD‐ROMs, Internet and other electronic devices. Factors militating against the provision of scientific and technological information sources in Nigeria include inadequate funding, nonchalant attitude of scientists and technologists towards publishing, lack of or ill‐equipped laboratories, lack of or insufficient science and technologically based librarians and lack of automation or IT facilities in most libraries.Originality/valueIt is hoped that this paper will assist scientists and technologists to have access to relevant information sources, which will enhance their work performance.