British Journal of Earth Sciences Research

Anthropogenic impact on metal concentration in surface water, sediment and Sarotherodon melanotheron (Rüppell, 1852) from Amadi Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria: Implications for ecosystem and public health

2025-02-17T08:11:57+00:00

Metals are natural components of the biosphere however, above certain concentrations, all metals pose significant risks to aquatic organisms, ecosystems, and human health. This study, conducted from June to August 2023, assessed the concentrations of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) in surface water, sediment, and blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) from Amadi Creek, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Samples were collected monthly from three established stations and analysed for metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results revealed the presence of all four metals at varying concentrations across stations and matrices, with sediment exhibiting the highest concentrations. For instance, Cr concentrations (mean ± SD) at Station 1 were 4.77±0.26 mg/L (surface water), 9.37±0.22 mg/kg (sediment), and 5.52±0.32 mg/kg (S. melanotheron). In surface water, the values exceeded the respective limits set by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for fisheries cultivation. In sediment, the concentrations of metals across the stations were Fe>Pb>Cu>Cr, values were below the USEPA sediment standards and the “Threshold Effect Concentration” (TEC) of the Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guideline (CBSQG). The concentrations of metals in S. melanotheron were all below the standards set by the EU, FAO/, and USFDA. In conclusion, the consistent detection, elevated levels, and significant spatial variations in metal concentrations across stations highlight areas requiring targeted remediation, particularly the marine base jetty (Station 1), which appears to be the epicentre of metal pollution. The bioaccumulation of metals in S. melanotheron raises concerns for human health through fish consumption, underscoring the need for stringent environmental monitoring and pollution control measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and ensure environmental sustainability in Amadi Creek.

Assessing Socio - Economic Benefits and Challenges of Climate - Smart - Agriculture on Perishable Food Crop Production System in Southwest Nigeria

2025-02-17T08:12:04+00:00

Farming is predominant occupation of peasant rural dwellers in Nigeria. It is characterised as small-scale. Small-scale system is prune to climate change due to highly depended on climate and rainfed. Climate-Smart-agriculture is a transformation that brings about intensification, adaptation and mitigation using climate responsiveness in vegetable crop production system. The objective is to achieve sustainable production of tomatoes and peppers (perishable crops). The farmer in South - west Nigeria may not possess adequately the domestic resources required to match climate change adaptation activity, but adoption of Climate-Smart-Agriculture will position the farmers well in the vegetable crop production system. This study targets questions as: i. Is Climate-Smart-Agriculture the most efficient practice to alleviate shortage of tomato/pepper production in the region? ii. Does the Climate-Smart-Agricultural technique acceptable to farmers in the region? About 100 respondents is selected purposively for adopting the C-S-A techniques from 5 villages selected from Ede North local government area of the Osun state being one of the major producers of tomato and pepper crop in the state. Structured questionnaire adopted to source relevant data that will enhance sustainable crop production system. Data collected is analysed using descriptive and multiple regression model to determine contributing factors influence adoption. Climate resilient agriculture is known to have transformed the tomatoes/pepper production system in the North Nigeria, and the southern farmers could perform magic toward sustainable production and growth with efficient climate resilient practices. The findings revealed 53.1% farmers were young and well educated as 81.3% had tertiary education, and majority (78.1%) were male farmers. About 46.9%, 37.5% and 0.9% already adopted intercropping, crop rotation and irrigation system respectively. Also, age, educational level, farm distance and years of experience were determinant factors to adoption. The t-value (t=3.084) and p-value (p=0.003) which is less than 0.05 significant level revealed significant different in the crop yield produced by the farmers. The adoption in the Southwestern region will strengthen vegetable crop production system that brings increased yield.

Effects of Urea and Goat Organic Manure on Growth and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Under Rain Fed Sandy Soil of North Kordofan State, Sudan

2025-02-17T08:12:10+00:00

This study was carried out at the premises of Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, demonstration farm, in Sheikan locality, North Kordofan state during two consecutive rainy seasons 2021- 2022, 2022-2023. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of urea and goat organic manure fertilizers on growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and some soil physical properties. The experiment consisted of four treatments (Control, 2 ton goat organic manure \ feddan, 2 ton goat organic manure / feddan + 40 kg urea / feddan and 2 ton goat organic manure / feddan + 80 kg urea / feddan). Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Growth characters studied were (days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), number of leaf per plant and stem diameter (cm).Yield and yield attributes were straw dry yield (ton/ha), 1000 seeds weight (g), grain yield (ton/ha) and harvest Index%. Soil physical properties studied were (soil moisture content %, soil bulk density and soil porosity. Data were statistically analyzed using GEN STAT. Results showed that fertilizers significantly (P<0.05) increased sorghum plant growth, yield attributes and grain yield compared to the control in both seasons. Goat organic manure and urea fertilizer had significantly (P<0.05) decreased days to 50% flowering and increased plant height, straw dry yield (ton/ha), 1000 seeds weight (g), grain yield (ton/ha) and Harvest Index% for sorghum crop. While, there was no significant effect amongst treatments on number of leaf per plant and stem diameter (cm). The highest grain yield (2.6 ton/ha) was obtained when 2 ton goat organic manure \ feddan combined with 80 kg urea /feddan as compared with the control (1.7 ton/ha). The application of goat organic manure combined with urea fertilizer increased Soil moisture content, soil bulk density and soil porosity. It can be recommended to improve sorghum productivity and soil fertility in the marginal sandy rain fed soils of North Kordofan State and similar environments.