Environment and Forestry

The toxic Microcystis flos-aquae strain was isolated from the local freshwater blooms and batch culture characteristics were observed in the modified J-medium. The isolation of toxic species was carried out by serial dilution and solid-agar plate adopting plate transfer method. Among the four culture media evaluated, modified Parker’s J-media was found most suitable for batch culturing of Microcystis flos-aquae strains. The use of Na2S and Na2SO3 in solid and liquid medium was found effective in reducing the contamination in culture and for providing better growth conditions as required for Microcystis flos-aquae specifically. The culture of isolated Microcystis flos-aquae showed the typical batch culture characteristics and the specific growth rate was in range of 0.02-0.40 d-1. The 14 days old batch culture of isolate was used to estimate the toxic components, and besides several other variants, the microcystin RR (MC-RR) was dominantly present (0.16 % of its dry weight biomass) as confirmed by LC-PDA/MS. Thus it was observed in this study that the strain M. flos-aquae was responsible for the MC-RR contents in the local ponds of northern India.

Floristic studies are fundamental for the applied sciences such as rangeland management and conservation. Unique ecological and climatic conditions in the Tang Putak in Dena Protected Area make it a remarkable habitat for the floristic studies. The purpose of this study was to determine floristic composition and their chorology carrying a central importance in vegetation description and analysis. Therefore, 50 quadrats (100 m2) were located according to the nature of vegetation. The species and their abundance-dominance were recorded. 73 plant species, belonging to 24 families, were identified. Plant classification, based on Raunkiaer’s life forms revealed Hemicryptophytes as the most abundant (55% of total) species. Therophytes, Phanerophytes and Chamaephytes contained 21, 12 and 5 percents of total plant species, respectively. Chorological characteristics of the plant species showed, about 68% of the total plant species in Tang Putak area were belonged to the Irano-Turanian Chorotype.

The effect of traffic density on soil along Nwanga-Ekoi- Mfamosing road Cross River State, Nigeria, was carried out. The spatial variability of pollutant concentration in high traffic density areas exerts an importance influence on some road deposited sediment characteristics due to activities of people and vehicles. The movement of vehicles from one point to another may spread contaminants on the soil. The main processes of the movement of vehicles can spread contaminants on the soil which may include wearing of car parts (Exhaust pipes, tires, brakes, engines block, leaking of oil and corrosion metal parts). These processes may release heavy metals on the surface of the soil along roadsides. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and paired sampled T-test method were used for the statistical analysis of soil along High Traffic Density (HTD) and Low Traffic Density (LTD) sites. The results from AAS revealed that heavy metals concentration in HTD were Calcium 0.041, Copper 0.037, Iron 0.037, Manganese 0.086, Nickel 0.033, Lead 0.207 and Zinc 0.11 respectively. Heavy metals concentration in LTD were Calcium 0.007, Copper 0.008, Iron 0.007, Manganese 0.007, Nickel 0.005, Lead 0.003 and Zinc 0.003 respectively. The result for the ANOVA analysis shows significant difference of (F=9.1, p<0.05) between HTD sites and LTD sites. The paired sample t-test also indicates significant difference of (t6=2.9, p<0.05).This implies that heavy metals concentration in HTD sites were higher than heavy metals concentration in LTD sites. Therefore, high traffic density sites increases soil heavy metals concentration along roadside.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the types and causes of landslides in Kittony area of Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The specific objectives were: To establish the types of landslides prevalent in Kittony area and identify the factors that cause landslides in Kittony area of Elgeyo Marakwet County. The study population comprised of 2000 residents of Kittony area in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Five members of the local administration and the County Geologist were included in the study. The sample size consisted of the following respondents: Two hundred and forty six residents of Kittony area which translated to 12.3 % of the total population was selected as study respondents through Simple Random Sampling. One local chief of Kittony area and a County Geologist was purposively selected and interviewed. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design and utilized a qualitative research methodology. The systems theory was used to underpin the study and a conceptual framework showing the interrelationship between the dependent and independent variables was used to guide and conceptualize the study. The findings of the study included: The types of landslides that exist in the area are mudslides, rock fall and earth flows. The heavy rains, poor soils and the rugged topography in the area as factors that triggered landslides. That the government despite assisting by providing humanitarian assistance and advising people to move to safer locations, more was needed in terms of relocating residents to safer areas and converting the affected areas into forest lands, building gabions to control soil erosion and controlling other human activities. This study can also be replicated in other areas having similar problems.

We conducted a study on the causes of deforestation and forest degradation in KATAKO village. Our problem had revolved around the following questions: what is the most active activity in the village KATAKO? Where are the fields of the population of the village KATAKO? What are the causes of deforestation and forest degradation in KATAKO village? What are the socio-economic impacts of anthropogenic activities in the KATAKO village forest? Does the population of KATAKO village know the ecological consequences of deforestation and forest degradation in their environment? To better understand the different issues of our investigation, we formulated the hypotheses according to which: the activity most exercised by the population of the village KATAKO would be the itinerant agriculture on brulis; the fields of the population of KATAKO village would be located in the forest; the causes of deforestation and forest degradation in KATAKO village would be shifting cultivation and logging; the socio-economic impacts of human activities in the KATAKO village forest would be the subsidy to the needs of the families and the payment of the costs of studies; the population of KATAKO village would notice the climatic disturbance as one of the ecological consequences of the deforestation and the degradation of the forest in their environment. To achieve our objectives, we used the retrospective method based on the documentary technique and the prospective method, which had focused on the technique of questionnaire survey, carried out in three stages including a pre-survey, the choice of sampling and the counting. Sampling was determined by interviewing 50 randomly selected people in KATAKO village. After analysis, the following results were obtained: the activity most exercised by the population of the village KATAKO is itinerant agriculture on brulis with 48%; 92% of the respondents prefer to install their fields in the forest; 44% of respondents say that deforestation and forest degradation in the village of Katako are caused by itinerant agriculture on brulis; 52% of respondents say that anthropogenic activities in the forest allow them to provide for their families; 40% of respondents admitted that deforestation and forest degradation in KATAKO village is causing climate perturbation. 

An assessment of the impacts of climate variables on water yield in Ujama Okpauku River, Yala LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria was carried out. The interplay of climatic variables particularly rainfall (its intensity, duration, area distribution and frequency of occurrence temperature, human activities (deforestation, irrigation, farming, urbanization), and catchment characteristics (basin size, shape, slope and elevation) determines the quality of water yield in a river. The rotated component matrix and regression coefficient method was used to analyze the climate variables. The model summary explained (R=83.4%), (R2=69.5%) and (Adjusted R2= 55.4%) respectively. The component matrix loads strongly on the following components rainfall 0.86, sunlight 0.88 and temperature 0.76 respectively. Components matrix i have positive regression coefficient on the following factors rainfall 0.002, temperature 0.30, and sunlight 1.68. This suggest that, water level is expected to be higher in every unite increase in the rainfall, temperature and sunlight. Similarly the component matrix loads strongly on the following components, year 0.95, wind speed 0.88 and evaporation 0.61 respectively. Components matrix ii have negative regression coefficient on the following factors year -0.92, wind speed -0.12 and evaporation -0.16 respectively. This implies that water yield is expected to be low in every unite increase in the years, wind speed and evaporation. The wind speed, evaporation and length of years were contributing factors for the low water yield in Ujama Okpauku River, Yala LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study recommends a massive afforestation around Ujama Okpauku River course and restriction of farming activities along and around the river course to reduce evapo-transpiration, erosion, flood rates and boast water yield in the catchment area.

Oussudu Lake is an important freshwater body of Puducherry and one of the primary sources of drinking water supply to Puducherry city. This study aims to assess the accumulation of heavy metals as a result of anthropogenic intervention. Heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd and Pb in the surface water and sediments are determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean concentration of Pb was found to be 0.15±0.07mg/l, whereas Cu was found to be within the safe limits for surface water (Central Pollution Control Board). The concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments were: Cd (0.25±0.31µg/g); Pb (1.1±2.32µg/g); Cu (6.6±4.63µg/g); Zn (10.16±8.79 µg/g) and Mn (44.56±21.28 µg/g). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) resulted in two principal components accounting for a cumulative variance of 94.438%. This study reveals that the water of Oussudu Lake stands exposed to contamination with lead and constant monitoring is essential to maintain water quality.

This study focuses on some environmental effect of gas flaring on both soil pH and pH value of rain water in River State, Nigeria. Samples at different proximities from the gas flare locations were recorded. Measurements and experimentations were carried out. Parameters studied at each location included Rain-water pH and soil pH measurement. Result shows a trend as all the parameters considered showed a clear difference away from the flare point in all the stations such as the pH changing from Extreme acid (3.6 - 4.5) to Moderately alkaline (7.9 - 8.5) away from the flare points. The values of all parameters under investigation were above acceptable limit. These show clearly that the inhabitants of these communities are highly polluted. This research recommends that gas flaring should be stopped and that the flared gas should be channeled to meeting the ever increasing demand for energy in the Nigerian sector economy and Nigeria should embrace environmental laws and policies in order to adapt to the changing environment.

Urban sprawl, the changed lifestyle and urbanization requires landscaping as an essential factor. Urban landscape is so important that it is currently considered as an indicator of development. Unresponsive urban parks to meet the needs of most citizens and lack of facilities and services leads to elimination of deficiencies in an urban park, often referred to as design improvement. Due to its significance as well as the lack of relevant studies, design development should be given more attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Shahrekord Mellat Park qualitatively and quantitatively by a documentary-analytic survey. Majority of data was collected by questionnaires distributed among users of the park. Finally, data was analysed. The findings suggest that factors such as lack of facilities and furniture, lack of vegetation, lack of social security and mismanagement of the park reduce the willingness of citizens to use these areas. Finally, suggestions were made for design improvement of Shahrekord Mellat Park.

In order to assess if there is a potential of solubilizing trace metals from minerals by saline intrusion in costal aquifers, a series of simulations were conducted. Numerical simulations were conducted for a series of saline intrusion scenarios and different aquifer geochemical conditions like; in presence of dolomite, qurtz and pyrites. The effect of saline intrusion induced trace metal solubilisation was assessed using a PHREQCI hydro geochemical model incorporated with minteq.v4 thermodynamic database. For simulation the physicochemical parameters of groundwater (which contains lead and copper in trace level) of the costal aquifer of Mumbai, India was taken in input file. Results show that Cerrusite and Cuprite are the predominant mineral phases in equilibrium with groundwater for Pb and Cu respectively. Further simulations at different rate of saline intrusion revealed that Pb and Cu mobilization increases with the increase in saline intrusion and exceeds their maximum contamination levels (MCL). The involved mechanism in mobilization of metal ion is nothing but the desorption of the metal ions from mineral surface by competitive positive ions Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and subsequent formation of soluble complexes by counter ions like Cl-, SO42- and CO32-.The study revealed that the presence of dolomite in the aquifer accelerate the desorption of the Pb and Cu from mineral.