Abstract: Batch adsorption isotherm data do not always provide accurate scale-up facts for real systems. Consequently, it is necessary to carry out fixed-bed column adsorption studies, which provide essential design parameters that are necessary for column scale-up. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the fixed-bed column adsorption studies to remove synthetic organic chemicals (SOC) using carbonized and surface-modified carbons from nipa palm leaves. Carbonized and surface-modified carbons were produced by single-step pyrolysis after soaking the Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb) leaves biomass with H2O, H3PO4 and KOH respectively while using chemical oxygen demand (COD) as the index of measurement. The SOCs solutions of concentration 100 mg/L at pH 6.5 were fed into the column from the top in a reservoir at the downward gravity flow rate of 15 mL/min and the effluent collected at the bottom at 30 minutes interval for 4 hours, quantity of the prepared adsorbent was packed in the column to yield the desired bed height of 7.62 cm containing 12.3 g of carbon. The optimum performance (mg cm-3) of the carbons are 10.16 (PCC), 9.024 (AAC) and 12.442 (BAC) for DMABA; 12.95 (PCC), 10.51 (AAC) and 16.64 (BAC) for kerosene and 9.568 (PCC), 6.651 (AAC) and 13.903 (BAC) for n-propanol) respectively. The breakthrough curve was analyzed using the Adams–Bohart, Thomas, and bed depth service time (BDST) mathematical models. The behaviors of the breakthrough curves were defined by the Thomas model at different conditions. The BDST model showed good agreement with the experimental data, and the high values of correlation coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.9646) obtained indicate the validity of the bed depth service time model for the present column system.
Abstract: Batch adsorption isotherm data do not always provide accurate scale-up facts for real systems. Consequently, it is necessary to carry out fixed-bed column adsorption studies, which provide essential design parameters that are necessary for column scale-up. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the fixed-bed column adsorption studies to...Show More
Abstract: Maize (Zea mays) - Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) intercropping is a recent practice at shashamane district, west-Arsi Zone of Oromia region and there is an inadequate information on its productivity and soil fertility management. Poor soil fertility and lack of financial resources to purchase mineral fertilizers have emerged as the greatest biophysical constraints to improve agricultural productivity in the study area. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Shashamane district during the 2020 and 2021 crop growing seasons to evaluate the effect of intercropping maize and haricot beans on soil fertility and yield improvement. The experimental materials were one maize hybrid (BH-546) and three haricot bean varieties (Dinknesh, SER-119 and Nasir). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The soil analysis result showed intercropping of maize-haricot beans were highly influenced soil total nitrogen and available phosphorus. Improvement of soil total N was found in plots where haricot beans was grown in an intercrop with maize. In contrast available P content was reduced in post-harvest soils of all plots in which maize was intercropped with haricot beans. Higher grain yield of maize and haricot beans were obtained from sole cropping compared to intercropping. Intercropping of maize with haricot bean had total LER value greater than one which showed the benefit of intercropping over mono-crops. The combined yields obtained from intercrops were more profitable than sole haricot beans and maize. Therefore, intercropping agro-ecologically suitable haricot beans with maize are advantageous in terms of grain yield and soil nutrient improvement than the corresponding mono-crops.
Abstract: Maize (Zea mays) - Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) intercropping is a recent practice at shashamane district, west-Arsi Zone of Oromia region and there is an inadequate information on its productivity and soil fertility management. Poor soil fertility and lack of financial resources to purchase mineral fertilizers have emerged as the greatest bio...Show More
Abstract: Water resources occupy a vital position regarding the source of human hope for longevity and significant shortfalls on the strive towards sustainable development globally. Host communities to quarry companies without a water treatment plant are greatly affected by use of untreated water. This research highlights statistical evaluation and quality analysis of water resources around a quarry site in FCT Nigeria. The study engaged biological assay, physiological and chemical analysis to quantify contamination levels in the water resources and obtained data were subjected statistically using Pearson’s Correlation, descriptive statistics, Levene’s test for homogeneity and one–way analysis. The physiochemical analysis revealed the water resources to have high turbidity value in 58.3% of sampled population while nitrate concentration and electrical conductivity value were very low. The bioassay revealed presence of coliform bacteria in 100% of sampled population while thermotolerance count discovered disease-causing-pathogens in 41.7% of sampled population. Chemical analysis revealed that Pb, Cr, Ni and As were 91.7%, 83.3% 100% and 100% above recommended permissible limits for sampled population. These results suggests that water resources in this study is unsafe and holds a health-treat with regards to the contaminations inherent in them. Statistical evaluation revealed average positive linear relationship between heavy metal concentration suggesting close relationship of contamination source. Observed strong positive linear relationship between lead and copper, nickel and chromium as well as nickel and arsenic in the scatterplot depicts same source of contamination.
Abstract: Water resources occupy a vital position regarding the source of human hope for longevity and significant shortfalls on the strive towards sustainable development globally. Host communities to quarry companies without a water treatment plant are greatly affected by use of untreated water. This research highlights statistical evaluation and quality a...Show More