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Biomobilization of Heavy Metals from the Sediments Affect the Bacterial Population of Al-Ghadir River (Lebanon)
Amale Mcheik,
Mohamad Fakih1,
Noureddine Bousserrhine,
Joumana Toufaily,
Evelyne Garnier-Zarli,
Taysir Hamieh
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
116-125
Received:
21 April 2013
Published:
30 May 2013
Abstract: Although there is no doubt about the importance of the bacterial activity on the solubilisation and the distribution of heavy metals in aquatic sediments, hydromorphic soils and ground waters; little is known about the involvement of bacterial dissolution in periodically anaerobic environments like that found in dredged sediments and little is known about the processes and the environmental factors controlling this process.The aim of this paper was to study the effect of the autochthonous bacterial activity on the biodegradation of organic matter and the mobilization of heavy metals in the sediments of Al-Ghadir river (Mount Lebanon). Sediments were incubated under standard anaerobic conditions and enriched with glucose to stimulate and accelerate microbial metabolism. The evolution of carbon metabolism (Organic matter evolved, carbon consumed and organic acids produced) and metals released in batch reactors were followed over time. Under the adopted conditions, analysis of the chemical parameters indicated that the incubated sediments showed a significant release of organic carbon corresponding to bacterial development. Mineral analysis showed an important solubilisation of Fe2+ and Mn2+ indicating the presence of Fe- and Mn-reducing bacteria in sediments. Pb, Cd and Cr solubilisation profiles were observed and appeared concomitant to the solubilisation profiles of Fe and Mn indicating that the redox cycle has been well installed and that Pb, Cd and Cr were associated to Fe and Mn oxides. The production of Cu appeared in parallel to the mineralization of the organic matter in the sediment indicating that Cu was associated to this fraction. Zn appeared associated to the sulphide fraction than to the Fe and Mn oxides fraction. Microbiological and genetic analysis showed a decrease and the disappearance of some bacterial strains due to the shift in the culture conditions and the toxicity of the released heavy metals but at the same time the development and the growth of many other populations which showed to be tolerant to the same conditions
Abstract: Although there is no doubt about the importance of the bacterial activity on the solubilisation and the distribution of heavy metals in aquatic sediments, hydromorphic soils and ground waters; little is known about the involvement of bacterial dissolution in periodically anaerobic environments like that found in dredged sediments and little is know...
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Wheat Crop Response to Liming Materials and N and P Fertilizers in Acidic Soils of Tsegede Highlands, Northern Ethiopia
Abreha Kidanemariam,
Heluf Gebrekidan,
Tekalign Mamo,
Kindie Tesfaye
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
126-135
Received:
2 June 2013
Published:
20 June 2013
Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was carried out on acidic soils collected from the Tsegede highlands of northern Ethiopia, where wheat production is severely constrained by soil acidity, to evaluate wheat crop response to the applications of liming materials (Wukro lime and Sheba lime) and N and P fertilizers. Three lime sources (without lime, Wukro lime and Sheba lime) and four N and P fertilizers (without N and P, recommended N, recommended P and recommended N + recommended P) were arranged in a factorial experiment using randomized complete block design with four replications. The results indicated that yield and yield attributes of wheat showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) response to the main effects of lime and fertilizer applications. Similarly, fertilizer by lime interaction effect was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different in grain yield, total biomass and N and P uptakes. The soils which received only recommended N + recommended P fertilizers (NP), Wukro lime and Sheba lime showed significant grain yield increment by about 78, 76 and 96% over the control, respectively. However, the applications of NP + Wukro lime and NP + Sheba lime augmented grain yield by 239 and 233%, respectively, over the control plot. Likewise, N uptakes were enhanced by about 66, 80 and 81% and P uptakes by 93, 91 and 93% in the soils which received only NP, Wukro lime and Sheba lime over the control while the application of NP + Wukro lime and NP + Sheba lime increased N uptakes by 241 and 237% and P uptakes by 451 and 471% over the control, in that order. The highest agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency were also recorded in the soils treated with Wukro and Sheba limes along with only recommended P and NP fertilizers, respectively. Hence, a combined application of adjusted lime rate and NP fertilizers are recommended to achieve sustainable wheat crop production on acidic soils of the Tsegede highlands.
Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was carried out on acidic soils collected from the Tsegede highlands of northern Ethiopia, where wheat production is severely constrained by soil acidity, to evaluate wheat crop response to the applications of liming materials (Wukro lime and Sheba lime) and N and P fertilizers. Three lime sources (without lime, Wukro lime a...
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Predictive Modeling of Pelagic Fish Catch using Seasonal ARIMA Models
Hadiza Yakubu Bako,
Mohd Saifullah Rusiman,
Ibrahim Lawal Kane,
Hazel Monica Matias-Peralta
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
136-140
Received:
19 June 2013
Published:
10 July 2013
Abstract: Fish catch prediction is an important problem in the fisheries sector and has a long history of research. The main goal of this paper is to create a model and make predictions using fish catch data of two fish species. Among the most effective and prominent approaches for analyzing time series data is the methods introduced by Box and Jenkins. In this study we applied the Box-Jenkins methodology to build Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model for monthly catches of two fish species for a period of five years (2007 – 2011). The seasonal ARIMA (1, 1, 0)(0, 0, 1)12 and SARIMA (0, 1, 1) (0, 0, 1)12 models were found fit and confirmed by the Ljung-Box test and these models were used to forecast 5 months upcoming catches of Trichiurus lepturus (Ikan Selayor) and Amblygaster leiogaster (Tambun Beluru) fish species. The result will help decision makers to establish priorities in terms of fisheries management.
Abstract: Fish catch prediction is an important problem in the fisheries sector and has a long history of research. The main goal of this paper is to create a model and make predictions using fish catch data of two fish species. Among the most effective and prominent approaches for analyzing time series data is the methods introduced by Box and Jenkins. In t...
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A Study on the Effect of Salinity Stress on the Growth and Yield of Some Native RiceCultivars of Kerala State of India
E. Abhilash Joseph,
K. V. Mohanan
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
141-150
Received:
27 June 2013
Published:
20 July 2013
Abstract: Rice is the most importantcereal cropamong many ofthe low and middle income countries of the world. Natural phenomena and human activities have led to the loss of rice fields at an alarming speed. Utilization of marginal and critical habitats for cultivation is the only way to sustain the net cropping area available for the crop. Many of such areas are threatened by salinity stress. Screening of rice cultivars for salt tolerance and their conservation, improvement and utilization are the only solutions. Seven native rice cultivars of Kerala state of India have been screened presently for their performance under salt stress. Five of them were collected from a traditional saline habitat and two from non-saline areas. It has been observed that majority of the cultivars collected from the saline habitat and Veliyan, one cultivar collected from a non-saline area performed well under moderate salt stress. In all the cases, early flowering was induced by salt stress.
Abstract: Rice is the most importantcereal cropamong many ofthe low and middle income countries of the world. Natural phenomena and human activities have led to the loss of rice fields at an alarming speed. Utilization of marginal and critical habitats for cultivation is the only way to sustain the net cropping area available for the crop. Many of such area...
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Evaluation of Woody Plants Used by Pandam, Namu and Kayarda Communities in Tropical Woody Savanna, Nigeria
Unanaonwi,
OkpoEsio,
Amonum Joseph Igba
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
151-155
Received:
21 June 2013
Published:
30 July 2013
Abstract: Most rural communities are opposed to forest reservation by the government not only because it denies them of the right of land ownership but because of the essential services these forests provide for the populace. In most cases there is usually total ban on any form of extraction from such forests without taking cognizance of the effects on those who live around these forests. The reason is because Government is not well informed of the rate of reliance of rural dwellers on the forests surrounding them. This research was conducted to ascertain the level of dependencies of three rural communities on Pandam Wildlife Park in Plateau State, Nigeria. Woody plants used by Pandam, Namu and Kayarda communities were investigated. A transect (10 x 1000) was laid across the park. Woody plants from 10cmdbh were marked. 12 people knowledgeable in plants and their uses were selected. They were made toidentify marked trees, their uses and parts used. Data were descriptively analyzed. Results show that 99% of identified plants have medicinal uses, 5 are used for food, 5 for economic purposes, 1 as first aid, 11 have multiple uses, 3 are under harvest pressure. Parts used are leave (37.10%),bark (30.65%). There is need for conservation especially those species (15) with multiple uses.
Abstract: Most rural communities are opposed to forest reservation by the government not only because it denies them of the right of land ownership but because of the essential services these forests provide for the populace. In most cases there is usually total ban on any form of extraction from such forests without taking cognizance of the effects on those...
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