October - Volume 1, Number 1 (2023)
Assessing the Impact of Agrochemicals and Leachates on Groundwater Quality and Public Health in Niger State
M.T Suleiman, A.O Busari, 3J. A. TANKO
This study aimed to assess the impact of agrochemicals and leachates on groundwater quality and public health in Niger State and its environs. Water samples were collected from wells in four different areas, namely Minna, Suleja, Bida, and Lapai, between February and November 2019. Thirteen parameters were analyzed to determine the chemical constituents of the water and the level of pollution in the project area. The results indicated that the groundwater quality was within the Nigerian Standard and WHO standard, except for electrical conductivity in one of the areas. However, the study identified that good agricultural practice, proper timing, and...
Investigating Factors Affecting Domestic Solid Waste Management in Abuja: Towards Achieving Zero Waste
F. Y, Umar, T. C. Ogwueleka, A. O. Busari
This study examines the factors influencing domestic solid waste management in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. While the problem of waste management in Abuja cannot be attributed solely to a lack of legislative framework, the study identifies several social, economic and natural factors contributing to the crisis. The social economic status of Abuja residents complicates effective waste disposal, while the poor economy of the region limits investment in waste management infrastructure and manpower. The region's natural topography, flooding, and wind patterns make waste management challenging for waste management companies. In response to these challenges, the study recommends a shift...
Highly Sensitive and Selective NO2 Gas Sensor Based on ZnO Nanoballs Deposited on Porous Silicon Substrate
Pankaj Varshney, Vinay Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Pankaj Singh, Ramphal Sharma, Arvind Kumar, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathawada
Air pollution caused by toxic gases has become a major concern for human health and the environment. Among the many hazardous gases, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has been identified as the most detrimental, causing respiratory, lung, and cardiovascular diseases even at low concentrations. Therefore, the development of low-cost and environmentally friendly sensors that can operate at moderate temperatures and consume minimal electric power is highly desirable. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive and selective NO2 gas sensor by depositing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoballs on porous silicon (PS) substrates using the radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique. The PS substrates were...
Environmentally friendly synthesis of bismuth ferrite nanoparticles and their incorporation in PVA-PANI polymer membrane for enhanced humidity stability and reduced ionic conductivity
admin admin, Kamlesh Pandey
The present study reports the green synthesis of bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extract and their incorporation as nanofillers in a polymer membrane consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyaniline (PANI) for potential electrochemical device applications. The PVA-PANI-BFO membrane was prepared using a solution cast technique, and the synthesised nanoparticles and the membrane were characterised using various spectroscopic techniques. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) confirmed the BiFeO3 phase of the synthesised BFO nanoparticles, and the Raman spectrum exhibited characteristic BFO bands. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the synthesised BFO nanoparticles contained functional groups of phytochemicals. Field emission scanning...
Synthesis of Maghemite Nanoparticles using NaOH Precipitation Agent for Biomedical Applications
Hamisah Ismail, Zalita Zainuddin, Muhammad Azmi Abdul Hamid, Hasmaliza Mohamad
Maghemite nanoparticles have shown potential as low-cost biomagnetic materials in various biomedical applications. In this study, the compatibility of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a precipitation agent for the synthesis of maghemite nanoparticles using co-precipitation method was investigated. Different concentrations of NaOH were used as the precipitation agent and the resulting maghemite powder was characterized using x-ray diffractometer (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The synthesized maghemite nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic properties with an acceptable range of saturation magnetization and negligible coercivity value. Biocompatibility tests with V79-4 cells also showed that the nanoparticles were safe at different dosages....