Volume-4 ~ Issue-2

Abstract: This study presents concentration levels of Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr. Cd Ni, V and Pb in sediments of River Ethiope. The levels fell within the following ranges (mgkg-1), 0.21-0.46 for Mn, 0.84-2.24 for Zn, 0.34-0.60 for Cu, 0.00- 0.11 for Cd, 0.005-0.49 for Ni, 0.00-0.05 for V and 0.27— 0.72 for Pb. Cr was not detected in any of the samples. The observed concentrations of the metals are mainly due to anthropogenic effects. There seems to be no imminent danger to the living organisms in the environment since the low levels observed do not pose any environmental contamination risk. Three correlation levels were observed. In group 1, Cr, Zn, Ni and V strongly correlated with each other. In group 2, Fe, Zn; Mn. Cu and Ni displayed positive correlation at different levels with each other while in group 3, Pb and Cd did not correlate with any of the metals. The levels reported have an abundance ratio in order Zn> Pb > Cu > Mn > Ni > Cr.

Key Words: Environmental pollution, heavy metals, River Ethiope, sediments.

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Abstract: Soil and vegetation samples were collected from busy motor parks in selected parts of Delta State and analysed with the aim of ascertaining the potential and environmental impact of the motor park activities on the surroundings. The physicochemical characteristics of the soil samples were investigated using various standard methods while the heavy metal concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique. The pH values ranged from 5.59 to 8.52 with a mean value of 7.21 showing that the soils were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The electrical conductivity values ranged from 66.54 to 252.9 μs/cm with mean value of 163.48 μs/cm, indicating presence of high level of soluble inorganic salts in the soil samples. The cation exchange capacity values (cmolkg-1) ranging from 0.040 to 0.147 with mean value of 0.097 implied that the exchange sites on the soil minerals will be less available for metals retention. The mean percentages of Total Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen which were 0.488 and 0.107 respectively could be attributed to presence of some biodegradable and compostable materials. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals in the soil samples (mgkg-1) were 57.78 for Fe, 1.112 for Pb, 0.482 for Cu, 1.334 for Zn and 0.13 for Cr with the abundance trend of Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu >Cr. The mean metal levels in the vegetation samples ranged from (mgkg-1) 0.152 to 12.426 with the abundance trend of Fe > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cr. Soil plant transfer coefficient values for all the metals in all the sites indicate medium accumulation while contamination/pollution index values showed generally very slight contamination. The metal levels in both the soil and vegetation samples in all the sites were relatively higher than the levels recorded in the control sites. The overall results showed evidence of some heavy metals enrichment on the soils and vegetation. This effect could be cumulative over time.

Key Words: Heavy metals, physicochemical characteristics, pollution, motor parks, soils, vegetation.

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Abstract: Electrochemical synthesis of poly N-methyl aniline (PNMA) was achieved on Teflon coated cylindrical stainless steel electrodes with base diameter 2mm . N-methyl aniline in di N-propyl malonic acid was polymerized on the surface of stainless steel using cyclic voltametry technique. Adherent and red polymer films were obtained on the electrodes.. The corrosion inhibitive performance of PNMA+DPM , coated electrodes were investigated in 0.5 N H2SO4 solutions by potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

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Abstract: The purpose of this research work is to study the effects of carbon deposit from methane gas on Zeolite Y catalyst activity in a packed bed reactor. Compuational fluid dynamic model was carried with the aid of chosen geometry, governing equation, properties of the fluid and time step. Result shows that increase in time from 0 to 1000s yielded an increase in the formation of hydrogen from 0 to 42mol/dm3, increased carbon from 0 to 21mol/dm3, and decreased methane concentration from 50 to 29mol/dm3. It shows that methane decomposition is taking place. the carbon deposition on catalyst is faster from time 0 to 400 s and above 500 s carbon deposition is lower. This shows that the variation of catalyst activity dropped on carbon deposition. The concentration of carbon and hydrogen formed is less when catalyst deactivation is taking place compared to when catalyst deactivation is not taking place.

Keywords: Carbon, Deposit, Methane, Reactor and Zeaolite Y.

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