Master of Science (M.Sc.) Theses and Dissertations
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- ItemOpen AccessAssessement of level of radioactivity and potentially toxic elements in locally pulverized plantain (musa paradislacal.) obtained from osun east senatorial district, Nigeria(The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University., 2022) ABE, Toluwase PatienceThis study assessed the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in the locally produced plantain flour. It also determined the radioactivity levels in the locally produced flour and assessed the human health risk associated with the contaminants. These were with a view to providing information on the concentrations and health risks of the potentially toxic elements and radionuclides in locally produced plantain flour in the study area. Potentially toxic elements were identified by using Proton/Particle Induced X-ray Emission Spectrometry. Correlation, principal component and cluster analyses suggested probable natural and anthropogenic sources of the elements in the pulverized plantain. The Human Health-Risk Assessment of toxic elements was assessed on the basis of geo-Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Index (HI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Carcinogenic Health Effect (Cr) and Ingestion Cancer Slope Factors. Gamma Ray Spectrometer was used to profile 238U, 232Th, and 40K levels in the samples. Activity Concentrations, Radium equivalent activity concentration index (Raeq), Absorbed Gamma Dose Rate (ADR), External Hazard Index (Hex), Internal Hazard Index (Hin), Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) and Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE) were subsequently evaluated. Twenty-seven elements were detected in the pulverized plantain samples and their concentrations determined. The concentration of elements analyzed in the pulverized plantain samples is in the order K > Cl > Mg > P > Sr > Ca > S > Si > Cd > Rb > Mo > Fe > Al > Ba > Br > Ti > Pb > Bi > Mn > Na > Ni > Cu > Cr > Sc > Zn > As > Co. The analysis of HI revealed extremely health risk. HQ values are lower than the Recommended value > 1 except Cu, Co, Ba, Cd, Pb and As which are comparatively higher. In the test pulverized plantain sample, the mean xvii activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U are 117.73 ± 2.52 Bq/kg, 1.66 ± 1.85 Bq/kg and 17.85 ± 17.61 Bq/kg respectively. For the control pulverized plantain samples, the mean activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U are 11.05±0.43 Bq/kg, 0.37±0.01 Bq/kg and 3.89±0.25 Bq/kg respectively. Although the ELCR calculated shows higher values compared to acceptable value of 2.9 x 10-3 stipulated by UNSCEAR the values of ADR, Raeq, Hex and Hin were significantly lower than or matched well with the permissible values indicating consumption safety for those who do not rely heavily on the consumption of pulverized plantain. The study concluded that the samples from the open markets of the study areas were contaminated with toxic elements, and could at long last pose major health problems to the consumers. However, the results obtained from the radioactivity level of the plantain were below their standard permissible limits. These assessments confirmed that the test pulverized plantain samples exhibited low gamma radiation
- ItemOpen AccessAssesssment of the effectiveness of lead removal from helianthus annuus L. remediated soil using amaranthus hybridusL .(The Institute Of Ecology And Environmental Studies, Faculty Of Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University., 2023) AREGBESOLA Joshua AkinThis study determined the Physical and chemical properties of a Pb remediated soil and assessed the growth response of Amaranthus hybridus cultivated on this soil. It also determined the nutrients and Pb uptake by A. hybridus from the remediated soil. These were with a view to providing information on the effectiveness of Pb removal by Helianthus annuus from a Pb polluted soil. The study was carried out in the screenhouse of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. The study was a follow-up on a previous study in which the topsoil was polluted to four levels of Lead concentrations. A total of 72 polythene bags, each containing 10 kilograms of Pb remediated soil obtained after this study showed the presence of Pb. The polythene pots had also received three rates of organic fertilizer; 0, 5 and 10 t ha-1, and two rates; 0 and 2 t ha-1 of Urea fertilizer, and four levels of Pb: 0, 400, 800, 1200 mg Pb kg-1 arranged in a complete randomized design. The seeds of A. hybridus earlier obtained from the Faculty of Agriculture, OAU, Ile-Ife were sown at six seeds per pot, and thereafter watered with distilled water to field moisture capacity. Growth parameters such as number of leaves, plant height and stem girths were collected at 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) using standard methods, and thereafter terminated. The harvested aboveground biomass of the plant was weighed and oven-dried to constant weight. The pre- and post-cropped remediated soils, and dried plant samples were analyzed to determine their properties, including Pb and Zn using standard methods. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics and the significance in their mean values of growth parameters and soil properties were separated at 95% confidence limit using Tukey‘s Multiple Range Test. The pH of the pre-cropped remediated soil ranged from 5.57 ± 0.02 to 7.43 ± 0.04. The soil organic Carbon and total Nitrogen values ranged from 3.90 ± 0.20 to 33.90 ± 0.30, and 0.30 ± 0.10 to 2.90 ± 0.10 g kg-1, respectively. The initial concentrations of Pb and Zn ranged; 75.16 ± 0.02 to 170.50 ± 8.04 and 3.81 ± 0.02 to 9.54 ± 0.03 mg kg-1, respectively. At harvest, the stem girth of A. hybridus ranged from 0.39 ± 0.06 to 2.81 ± 0.55 cm, while the aboveground biomass yield ranged from 0.11 ± 0.06 to 36.41 ± 9.47 and 0.06 ± 0.03 to 3.70 ± 1.28 g pot-1 for the wet and dry weight, respectively from the pot without Pb contamination, but with 2 t ha-1 of Urea and 5 t ha-1 of organic fertilizer. These growth parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the values obtained during the repeat experiment. The highest values obtained for Pb and Zn concentrations in the shoots of A. hybridus were 0.50 ± 0.01 and 3.05 ± 0.05 mg kg-1, respectively; which were higher than WHO/FAO permissible limits of 0.005 and 0.60 mg kg-1 for Pb and Zn respectively. The study concluded that Amaranthus hybridus cultivated on Lead remediated soil removed and transported Lead to aboveground biomass of the plant which could eventually enter into the food chain of humans, if ingested.
- ItemOpen AccessA survey of ascaris lumbricodes infection among school age children in Ikirun , Osun State Nigeria.(Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science Obafemi Awolowo University., 2022) FASANMI Oluwafunmilayo BlessingThis study determined the prevalence and intensity of infection of Ascaris lumbricoides and other soil transmitted helminths among school-age children, examined soil samples obtained from children environment for Ascaris eggs, surveyed on anthelminthic treatment and type of sanitation available to the school-age children in Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria. These were with a view to providing information on the risk factors affecting the transmission of soil helminths among the school–age children in the study area. Stool samples were collected from 332 primary school pupils comprising 135 males (40.7%) and 197 females (59.3%), between the ages of 6 and 12 from July to October 2018. The stool samples were analysed using applicator stick and about 5 g faecal sample was collected from each pupil into clean and well-labelled universal sample bottle. The faecal samples were preserved with 2 ml of 10% formalin. Soil samples were also collected from around the school latrine, playground, classroom and residence of each pupil into a properly labelled polythene bag. The preserved faecal samples were later processed by modified Kato-katz techinique and the soil samples by centrifugal floatation techniques using sucrose solution at the Parasitology Laboratory of the Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife. This was to determine the presence and number of Ascaris and other helminths eggs. The helminth eggs were identified based on morphological parameters. Data were analyzed using chi square and multivariate logistic regression from Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. The results of the study showed that out of the 332 faecal samples examined, 152 (45.8%) were positive for helminth eggs. The various helminth eggs observed and their prevalences were Ascaris lumbricoides (40.1%), hookworms (8.7%) and Trichuristrichiura (3.3%). Multiple infections were observed among 17(5.1%) of the pupils. The sex related prevalence was higher among females (48.2%) than males (42.2%). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides was highest among the children of age group 6-8 years (50.0%) and lowest (27.5%) among the children over 12 years of age. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in prevalence rates of different STHs infections in relation to age groups and gender across schools. The intensity of A. lumbricoides, hookworms and T. trichiura determined as mean egg count/gram of faeces were 733.77 ± 81.85, 20.05 ± 4.65 and 1.23 ± 0.43 respectively. A total of 88 helminth eggs (58.7%) were collected out of the 150 soil samples collected. The helminth eggs identified were Ascaris lumbricoides, 41.3%; Toxocara canis, 24.0%; Trichuris trichiura 9.3% and hookworms 6.7%. The intensities of A. lumbricoides, T. canis, T. trichiura and hookworms per 30 g soil were 100.16 ±15.71, 18.24 ± 6.33, 2.08 ± 0.553and 16.05 ± 4.46 respectively. The rate of contamination of soil was higher near latrines (67.4%) and lower around the classrooms (48.6%). The study concluded that Ascaris lumbricoides remains a public health concern among children in the study area. Provision of potable water, toilet facilities and regular de-worming will enhance control measures.
- ItemOpen AccessComputer-aided taxonomic study of the angraecoids orchids of Nigeria and Cameroon.(Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University., 1991) Adeniyi Akanni JAYEOLAThe angraecoid orchids constitute a difficult assemblage of plants whose main line of classification has generated much controversy among taxonomists. Authorities differ in their inter- pretation of subtribal groups of this complex
- ItemOpen AccessStudies on the feeding and reproductive status of musca domestica and chrysomya chloropyga collected on Obafemi Awolowo University(Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sceince, Obafemi Awolowo University., 2014) Abdul-Hamid, Nurat BukolaAdults musca domestica (Linnacus and Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann) were collected with sweep net from the refuse dump of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. The collection was made three times in a month for a period for a period of twelve months. The different species were separated into male and female laboratory.