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The concern of heavy metals and metalloid pollution in surrounding water is a growing concern globally. This study was designed to access somephysiochemical parametersand some heavy metal in selected borehole water samples from Ishieke, CAS, Presco and Permanent Site Campusesof Ebonyi State UniversityAbakaliki, Nigeria. Samples were collected from the selected sites. Water sampling was done by opening the tap at each sampling site, draining out the water for one minute before collecting the sample. Some physiochemical parameters which includes the temperature, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) were tested on the site of sample collection using Hannah digital instrument. The samples were taken in pre-cleaned 2.0 litre plastic containers and was taken to the department of Applied Biology research laboratory, Ebonyi State UniversityAbakaliki for heavy metal analysis. Analysis of the Water sampling were done using the American Public Health Association (APHA) method. The mean value of pH was 664 ±1.00 for Presco campus, 5.9 ±1.58 for CAS campus and 6.21 ±0.00 for Permanent site campus, 6.4 ±1.00 for Ishieke campus. The value of conductivity (μS/cm)was 750 ±0.00 for Presco campus, 402 ±0.00 for CAS campus, 331 ±1.00 for Permanent site campus and 755 ±1.00 for Ishieke campus. The total dissolved solid (TDS) for Presco campus was 364.5 ±0.00, 2.01 ±1.58 for CAS campus, 169 ±0.00 for Permanent site campus and 382 ±4.00 for Ishieke campus. Some heavy metals which includes zinc, magnesium, calcium, nickel and iron. The value of zinc for Presco was 64.07 ±1.30, 102.70 ±1.33 for CAS campus, 58.07 ±7.69 for Permanent site campus, 150.37 ±0.00 for Ishieke campus, the value of magnesium for Presco campus was 48.64 ±2.43, 41.73 ±5.81 for CAS campus, 117.9 ±2.38for Permanent site campus, 34.16 ±1.33 for Ishieke campus. The value of calcium was 50.46 ±2.01 for Presco campus, 117.43 ±3.67 for CAS campus, 288.65 ±1.09 for Permanent site campus and 97.33 ±4.85 for Ishieke campus. The results shown the heavy metals concentration of the borehole water at Ishieke, CAS, Presco, and Permanent site campuses were high, compared to World Health Organization (WHO) measures. It is recommended that borehole water should always be purified using reverse osmosis (OR) system before consumption and other domestic uses.

ABSTRACT The efficacy of beans pod as an adsorbent for the biosorption of methyl orange dye from aqueous solution was studied using the Batch Adsorption method. The following parameters were varied: contact time (30 – 150 min), initial dye concentration (0.1 – 1.0 g/l), pH (2 – 10.4), and adsorbent dose (1– 5.0g) at a constant temperature of about 30 °C (303 K). The equilibrium time for the adsorption process was established within 100 mins. Maximum adsorption of 70% for methyl orange solution was achieved at pH 6-7. The value of the adsorption capacity indicated that beans pod waste powder could be used as a potential alternative for removing methyl orange dyes from aqueous solutions. The discharge of dyes is one of the major water pollution which can cause severe damage to both human beings and animal. Hence, the need for treatment of wastewater containing dyes. The properties and morphology of the bean pod were studied using Ultravioloent (UV) spectrocopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR).

This study investigates lane flow distribution (LFD) on urban arterials in Calabar, focusing on critical traffic measures including Average Daily Traffic (ADT), Peak Hour Factor (PHF), directional distribution (D factor), and the percentage of trucks. The selected study site, Mobile Road on Murtala Muhammed Highway, was chosen for its high traffic volume and strategic importance, making it ideal for observing lane distribution patterns. Over five days, video recordings were taken during two-hour intervals for morning, afternoon, and evening peak periods, capturing a comprehensive dataset. The findings revealed that most vehicles favored the inner lanes, particularly during peak hours, with private cars showing a significant preference for these lanes. Additionally, the analysis highlighted a greater influx of vehicles heading into the city during morning peak hours compared to those leaving, with corresponding D factors indicating this directional flow. The calculated percentage of trucks was 1.6%, indicating their limited presence in overall traffic yet emphasizing their impact on congestion and road wear. This study provides valuable insights into traffic dynamics, informing future traffic management strategies and infrastructure planning in urban areas.

The emergence of dumpsites is an unfortunate by-product of an increasingly consumer-driven society. The narrative is one of overconsumption and under-regulation, as urban landscapes burgeon with waste that strains the capacity of existing waste management infrastructure. With inadequate resources to manage the mounting waste, many communities resort to establishing dumpsites as a temporary solution. . Heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and contaminants from discarded electronics have infiltrated dumpsite soils, posing insidious risks to human health, exacerbating environmental degradation, and undermining the progress towards sustainable development goals. The story of soil analysis in dumpsites encapsulates the need for proactive intervention, responsible waste management, and innovative remediation strategies. In the subsequent sections of this report, we delve deeper into the intricacies of soil analysis in dumpsites. This study assesses the physical and chemical properties, the concentration of heavy metals and contamination status of soils around waste dumps located at ekpan and effurun communities. The Physicochemical properties of the soils from ekpan and effurun dumpsites ranges from; pH:6.1-6.55, Electrical conductivity (Ec): 165-220, Temperature: 29.7-29.7 oC, Moisture content:17.14-23.17%, THC:83.2-119.02(mg/kg), TOC:1.55-1.45%, Chloride:119.08- 153.88(mg/kg), Sulphate:11.69-24.68(mg/kg), Nitrate:9.26-11.31(mg/kg), Metal concentration (mg/kg) ranges from; lead:5.24-4.89(mg/kg), Nickel:9.26-11.31(mg/kg), Iron:5398-7142(mg/kg), Cadnium:1.22-2.3(mg/kg), Zinc:125.24-125.07(mg/kg), PAH:8.81-17.02(mg/kg). These dumpsites were similar in characteristics and where contaminated with pb, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cd. The pollution load index indicated that the dumpsite had no adverse effect on the soil. The main environmental problem associated with the disposal sites could be the potential risk posted to the soil. Hence, there should be proper treatment method on waste to prevent health hazard on living organisms, decisive approach in waste management and disposal, and sensitization to the people living in these communities on the implications of these improper waste disposal practices.

ABSTRACT ThestudywasconductedtoexaminetheassessmentofplasticwastedisposalamongstudentsandstaffoffacultyofEducationUniversityofBenin.Theprimarydatawascollectedfrom1860studentsinthefacultyofEducation,UniversityofBenin,Edostate.Aproportionatestratifiedsamplingtechniquewasusedtoselect186respondentsoutof1860studentsandquestionnairewasadministeredtothem.ThereliabilityoftheinstrumentwasdoneusingCronbachAlphareliabilitycomputationwhichyieldsaco-efficientindexof0.726.Fourresearchquestionswereraisedtoguildthestudyanditwasvalidatedbytheprojectsupervisorandtwootherlecturesforfaceandcontentvalidity. Datacollectedwasanalysedinthecomputerusingfrequencycount,simplepercentageandmeanwerealsoemployedtoanalysethedatacollectedfromtheansweredresearchquestions.ThefindingsofthestudyrevealedthatplasticwastedisposalisasignificantenvironmentalissueintheFaculty,TheFacultydoesnotprovideadequatesupportforplasticwastemanagementamongotherchallengesamongothers.Thestudyconcludedthatthereisapositiveattitudeandpracticesamongstudenttowardswastedisposalinthefacultyofeducation,UniversityofBenin. Thestudyalsoconcludedthattherearesomeissuespertainingtothechallengesinvolvedinplasticwastedisposalthatstillneedimprovement,especiallyconcerningfacilitiesandsupportforproperplasticwastedisposalinthefaculty.Thestudyalsoconcludedthattheassessmentofplasticwastedisposalamonguniversitystudentsrevealsaconcerninglackofawarenessandactionregardingsustainablewastemanagementpractices.Despitethegrowingconcernaboutplasticpollutionintheinstitution,manystudentsstillexhibitminimalengagementwithrecyclingsystemsandproperdisposalmethods.ItwasrecommendedthatPlasticwastedisposalmanagementpoliciesandenforcementofsanitationlawsintheUniversityshouldbeenergized,andvariousenvironmentalorganizationsandsocietiestodomoreuntilthedreamedcleanenvironmentinNigeriabecomesarealityandtheGoverningbody,DeansandHeadofdepartmentshouldimplementawarenessprogramstoeducatestudentsabouttheenvironmentalimpactsofplasticwastedisposalandtheimportanceofproperdisposalwhichincludesworkshops,seminars,andinformationalmaterials.

This study investigated the optimization of weaning food from maize and Bambara nut using response surface methodology. The materials used were purchased from a local market in Auchi metropolis. Weaning food were produced, sensory, proximate composition, pH and TTA were carried out. Data generated were analyzed. The results showed that colour of the various products wvas significantly difference up to 93%(R^2=0.9311),the quadratics model fortheeequaionwas4.20-0.2^2 A-0.22^2 B-0.56^2 A^2-0.61^2 B^2-0.15^-×A+B.The highest protein content was observed in sample I (13.22%± 0.48), this was followed by sample C(13.61%±0.21), next was sample J (12.65%±0.49), while the least was sample N (9.38%±0.58).. At day 0 (5.08) and day 5 (5.88) sample I had the least pH. This showed that production of weaning food from maize and Bambara nut at combination of 100g/g maize to 20g/g Bambara nut would results to optimum acceptance of the products (weaning food).

ABSTRACT This study examined the qualification of teachers and students performance in physics in Tambuwal Local Government Area Sokoto State, Nigeria. Descriptive Survey design was used for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select population of this study was just six (6) secondary schools in Tambuwal Local Government Area Sokoto. The SSS III classes were selected with the assumption that they are at the final stage of their secondary school level as sample size for the study. The instrument used for collection of data was a self-constructed questionnaire titled: “Teachers Qualification and Students Performances in Physics Questionnaire (TPPSQQ)” and was validated by the researchers’ supervisors and experts from Faculty of Education as well as Faculty of Education and extension services, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and found it appropriate for this type of study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics through the (SPSS) software to evaluate teacher qualifications and students' performance in physics, Research questions were analysed using simple percentage. Findings from the study revealed that the teachers qualification and students performance in physics in senior secondary schools, Tambuwal Local Government Area, Sokoto State. In addition, the study revealed that good mastery of the subject matter, selection of appropriate method of teaching, provision of adequate instructional materials, positive interest in the textual studies of physics and good periods allocated for teaching and learning of physics are the perceived the remedies to the problems affecting the learning of physics among senior secondary schools in Tambuwal Local Government Area, Sokoto State. The study recommended that government and school administrators should invest in continuous professional development programs to upgrade teacher qualifications, particularly encouraging teachers to pursue master’s degrees in physics or physics education. Regularly scheduled workshops and seminars on modern teaching strategies and problem-solving techniques can help teachers stay updated and improve their instructional practices, more so teachers should incorporate more interactive and problem-based learning methods to engage students more effectively in physics problem-solving and schools should provide resources for teachers to use simulations, animations, and virtual labs that can make physics concepts more accessible and interesting.

Cellulose, the most abundant organic substance on earth can be derived from various plant sources and utilized for various purposes due to its wide range of structural properties. This study investigates the functional properties of biochar cellulosic matrices produced from corncob, focusing on its structural characteristics and potential applications. Corncob, an abundant agricultural waste was utilized to extract cellulose through acid hydrolysis and also to produce biochar through pyrolysis. Biochar-cellulose matrices were developed in varying ratios (0:1, 1:2, 2:3 and 1:1) of biochar to cellulose. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed key structural insights. All samples exhibited characteristic cellulose peaks, including β-(1→4)-glycosidic linkages (849 cm-1 and 1103 cm-1) and extensive hydrogen bonding (3280 cm-1). The 1:0 ratio sample showed the highest crystallinity (1423 cm-1 peak with intensity of 67.95), the other samples (1:2, 2:3 and 1:1) exhibited a distinct peak at 2117 cm-1 suggesting the presence of chemical modifications due to the presence of biochar in these samples. The broad absorption band around 16640 cm-1 associated with O-H bonding suggested that all samples are hydrophilic, this is confirmed by the water absorbing capacity (WAC) results which ranged from 232% to 300% with the 1:1 sample having the highest WAC at 300%. Moisture content analysis revealed slight variations among the samples which ranged from 9.1% to 9.9%. Swelling capacity of the matrices ranged from 16% to 24.33% with the 1:2 sample showing the highest swelling capacity. Solubility was negligible across all samples with values between 0.57% to 0.79%. From the results of these findings, it can be concluded that corncob derived biochar cellulosic matrix can be used for applications requiring high water absorption and retention with the 1:1 sample showing the greatest promise.