ABSTRACT
In-situ bioremediation of mangrove soil contaminated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics was investigated using indigenous microbial consortium with adequate capacity to degrade the plastics. Eight (8) bacteria were isolated from plastic/microplastic-inundated mangrove soil and screened for the ability to degrade PET and PS microplastics. Optical density at 600 nm and colony forming unit counts were measured to evaluate the growth response of the microbes in the presence of PS and PET microplastics at different times of exposure. Structural and surface changes that occurred post biodegradation on the microplastics were determined through EDS and SEM analysis. The obtained results demonstrated the elongation and disappearance of peaks, suggesting that the microbial consortium could modify both types of microplastics. The overall results of the microplastic degradation showed varied degrees of weight loss after 90 experimental days, with the treated plot recorded 18% weight loss. The augmented soil was increased in the concentrations of Si S, and Fe and decreased in the concentrations of C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, and K after bioremediation.
Subject(s)
Microplastics , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Plastics , Polyethylene Terephthalates , Polystyrenes , Soil , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysisABSTRACT
The fish fauna of Tagwai Lake Minna, Nigeria, was studied from July to September, 2010. Sampling was carried out during the day using different gears. A total of 1,669 specimens were sampled made up of 8 species in 7 genera and 6 families. Variation in the mesh size used greatly influenced catch in the lake. Cash net recorded the highest amount of catch (1,435) and gill net recorded the highest amount of fish species (6). Two Cichlids species, Tilapia zilli and Sarotherodon galilaeus were the most abundant in the catch, amounting to 33.01 and 26.06%, respectively. The families of Cichlidae and Mormyridae were the most abundant constituting 59.18 and 29.95% of the total catch respectively. Fish abundance showed low catches during the raining season (33.01%) and daytime.
Subject(s)
Fisheries/instrumentation , Fishes/classification , Animals , Body Size , Ecosystem , Lakes , Nigeria , Population Density , Seasons , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The study was designed to determine the true prevalence of congenital; cord; and placental malaria in General Hospital Minna; North Central Nigeria. Peripheral blood smears of near-term pregnant women; as well as the placental; cord; and peripheral blood smears of their newborn babies; were examined for malaria parasites; using the Giemsa staining technique. Out of 152 pregnant women screened; 21 (13.82) of them were infected with malaria parasites. Of the 152 new born babies; 4 (2.63) showed positive peripheral parasitaemia. Placental parasitaemia was 7/152 (4.61); while cord blood parasitaemia was 9/152 (5.92). There were strong associations between peripheral and cord malaria parasitaemia and congenital malaria (P 0.05). Plasmodium falciparum occurred in all; and none had mixed infection. The average birth weights of the babies delivered of nonmalarious pregnant women were higher than those delivered by malarious pregnant women; though not significant (P 0.05). Malaria parasitaemia occurred more frequently in primigravidae than multigravidae
