RESUMEN
In the present study the tolerance potentials of T. cacao in hydrocarbon polluted soil was evaluated. Top soil (0-25 cm depth) was collected from three points, bulked to form composite soil sample. Eight kilograms of the soil sample each were weighed into twenty five (25) perforated bags. The bags were polluted with 0 ml/kg, 50 ml/kg, 100 ml/kg, 150 ml/kg and 200 ml/kg of crude oil respectively with five replicates for each concentration and allowed for 2 weeks before planting. Three seeds of cocoa were sown in each of the polythene bags. Water was applied every three days to keep the soil moist. The results showed that cocoa plants at 8 weeks after planting (WAP) had significantly higher height (P<0.05) than those of 4 weeks after planting (WAP). The plant height, petiole length, number of vine had no significant difference (P>0.05) at the different concentrations of crude oil. While the leaf length, leaf area, number of leaves, leaf width and vine length shows significant difference (P<0.05) and in treatment dependent manner. The results also showed that the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr and Zn in the polluted soils were treatment dose dependent but did not significantly affect the plant tolerance at P<0.05. The pH, phosphorus, nitrogen content, and other physicochemical properties of the soil were not significantly affected by the crude oil treatment. The T. cacao has been found to be tolerant to hydrocarbon polluted soil environment, its usage in oil spill impacted area should be encourage.
RESUMEN
This study is aimed at investigating the level of environmental pollution and the potential impacts of municipal solid wastes on public health. The health risk assessment was determined through a survey of the present facilities used for solid waste management in the metropolis. Waste bins, types of depots, modes of transportation of wastes to disposal sites and methods of disposal were amongst the facilities investigated. The microbiological and physicochemical analysis of decomposing solid waste, leachate, soil, air at dumpsite, stream and Ikot Effanga Mkpa river waters were carried out using standard microbiological procedures. The prevalent bacteria besides fungi isolated from decomposing solid waste, soil, leachate, stream and river water samples were Escherichia coli 55 (13.31%) and 48 (14.33%) Chromobacterium spp 36 (18.18%), Staphylococcus spp 37 (17.70%), Salmonella spp 45(16.85%) and Klebsiella spp (17.06%) respectively. Statistical analysis of the bacterial and fungal counts showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the sources of sampling, months of sampling and seasons of sampling. Decomposing solid wastes followed by soil and leachate had the highest counts at 5% level of probability. The high bacterial counts coupled with these findings are indicative of the possible high risk of microbial infections and a potential destruction of biodiversity from the toxic chemicals of the wastes. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that virtually, most of the parameters determined are above the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. It is recommended that a fit for purpose strategy be developed for waste management with control measures that are health and eco-friendly.