Sylvester Chibueze Izah
Niger Delta University, Nigeria
Title: Removal of Heavy metals in cassava mill effluents by Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from palm wine
Submitted Date: 20-07-2017
Biography
Mr Sylvester Chibueze Izah is a Ph.D student supervised by Dr. Sunday Etim Bassey and Prof. Elijah Ige Ohimain at Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria. He holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Microbiology (Distinction) from Niger Delta University. Between 2012 till date, Mr. Sylvester Izah has an impressive research and publication record in the field of Applied Biology including Bioenergy, Toxicology, Applied Microbiology, Risk Assessment, Environmental Microbiology and Pollution studies (i.e water, air and soil). Mr Izah has over a 100 publications in both international and national journals. Before now, Mr Izah’s research interest focused on Bioenergy and Environmental Biotechnology but currently his research is tending towards Environmental/Health Risk Assessment, Toxicology, Food microbiology and on the conversion of food processing waste water into useful products while minimizing the attendant environmental effects associated with such wastewater.
Abstract
Nigeria produces about 20% of global cassava output. Cassava processing in Nigeria is predominantly carried out by small holders that use rudimentary equipment for its processing into several products such as high quality cassava flour. The characteristics of the wastewater, also called cassava mill effluents, often exceed the limit for effluents discharge onto land and surface water as specified by Federal Environmental Protection Agency. Cassava mill effluents induce toxicological effects on the environment and its associated biota including humans, fisheries, flora and fauna. This study assessed the ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from palm wine to remove heavy metals in cassava mill effluents. The S. cerevisiae was identified using conventional microbiological techniques based on their cultural, morphological and physiological/biochemical characteristics. S. cerevisiae was inoculated into the sterile effluent and incubated for 15 days. The samples were prepared and analyzed using flame atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. Results showed a decrease of 44.52%, 26.26%, 51.54%, 43.20%, 38.57% and 65.19% for copper, zinc, manganese, iron, chromium and nickel respectively. The findings of this study showed that S. cerevisiae is a potential organism for the remediation of heavy metals in cassava mill effluents.
Ayobami Aigberua
Niger Delta University, Nigeria
Title: Assessment of heavy metals in Tilapia zilli from some Nun River Estuaries in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
Submitted Date: 20-07-2017
Biography
Mr Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua is a Ph.D student supervised by Dr. Timi Tarawou at Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria. He holds M.Sc in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry (Distinction) from Niger Delta University. Between 2012 till date, Mr. Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua has quite a number of impressive research and publication record in the field of Applied Environmental/Analytical and Biological Research including Environmental Treatment Techniques, Risk Assessment and Pollution studies (i.e water, sediment and soil). Mr Aigberua has 3 publications in both international and national journals with another 3 In Press. Before now, Mr Aigberua research interest had previously focus on Environmental Biotechnology and Pollution Treatment techniques, But currently his research is tending toward heavy metal speciation studies in bottom sediments of Nigerian rivers most prone to environmental pollution and the attendant release of mobile and labile inorganic metals to the aquatic biota, Environmental/Health Risk Assessment and aquatic food toxicity. Mr Aigberua research interest is also focusing on the effect of indiscriminate discharge of numerous effluent types across the water ways especially in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Abstract
This study investigated the heavy metal concentration in Tilipia zilli from River Nun in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The samples were collected from the brackish environment in the nun river estuary. Tilipia zilli were collected from creek lines traversing five communities at Obama, Tebidaba, Clough creek, Ogbainbiri and Samabiri. The samples were preserved in ice chest and transported to the laboratory. The fish samples were prepared by oven-drying, dry-ashing and digesting using a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid. The fish samples were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Result of the fish ranged from 0.380 – 21.555mg/kg (lead), <0.001 mg/kg (copper), 0.190 – 1.670 mg/kg (chromium), 0.290 – 22.67 mg/kg (manganese), 2.785 – 30.340 mg/kg (zinc), 40.860 – 195.905 mg/kg (iron) and 0.205 – 1.145 mg/kg (nickel). Statistically, there was significance difference (P<0.05) in the fish collected from the different locations apart from copper. The heavy metal concentration were above the limits recommended by various agencies including Food and Agricultural Organization/ World Health Organization, Median international standard, European Union, United State Environmental Protection Agency and Water Pollution Control Legislation. The high concentration of heavy metals above permissible level suggests the need for caution during the consumption of Tilipia zilli from the Nun estuary due to health implications associated with heavy metals.
