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Phytoplankton are photosynthetic microscopic organisms that inhabit the upper sunlit layer (euphotic zone) of marine and fresh water bodies. Phytoplankton, as the primary producer of the aquatic ecosystem’s food chain and are very sensitive to environmental changes as energy stored up in them determine the basic primary productivity of an ecosystem. There is dearth of information on the phytoplankton community of the Festac creek and thus the need for this study which aims at microscopically investigating the phytoplankton community of the Festac creek. The Phytoplankton diversity and distribution of the Festac creek, Lagos, Nigeria. was investigated for 12 months (November 2021 – October, 2022). Phytoplankton samples were collected monthly for 12 months, using a 55 μm mesh size standard plankton net towed horizontally from a motorized boat for 5 mins at < 4 Km/h and preserved by adding 4% unbuffered formalin. The drop count microscopic analysis method was used to study the phytoplankton species. A total of 34 phytoplankton species from 7 algal classes namely Bacillariophyceae (16 species), Cyanophyceae (9 species), Chlorophyceae (2 species), Conjugatophyceae (3 species), Dictyochophyceae (2 species), Tintinnid (1 species) and Dinophyceae (1 species) were recorded. Notable species were recorded such as: Lyngbya sp, Prorocentrum lima, Navicula sp. Nitzschia lineola, Phormidium bohneri, Oscillatoria limosa, Oscillatoria nigro viridis, Oscillatoria formosa and some other known marine species such as Coscinodiscus radiatus, Coscinodiscus marginatus Skeletonema costatum, Odontella sinensis, Thalassionema nizschoides, Fragillaria oceanica, Spirulina subsalsa and Tintinnopsis radix. The most abundant class was the Cyanophyceae (Blue-green algae) with Oscillatoria limosa being the most abundant species. This could be attributed to the constant addition of nutrient particularly nitrate and phosphate run offs from industries around the study area which enhances cyanobacterial growth and indicates that the Festac creek is eutrophic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased discharge of spent engine oil in the environment due to increased use of automobiles and other engines and their subsequent maintenance is a matter of great environmental concern. This study assessed the effect of spent engine oil on soil properties and the growth performance of Amaranthus viridis in a laboratory setting in Lagos State Nigeria using standard methods. Viable Amaranthus viridis seeds were sown in soil contained in five plastic containers treated with 100ml, 75ml, 50ml, 25ml and 0ml (as control) of spent engine oil, separately. Each treatment had three replicates. Measurements of the plant's leaves, leaf area and height of shoot were taken at a 7-day interval up to sixty-three days. The physicochemical parameters of the spent engine oil-polluted soil were also analyzed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Data generated from this study were analyzed using SPSS, separating mean differences at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). The levels of nitrogen and potassium were lower in the contaminated soil than the control while the levels of phosphorus were higher in the spent engine oil-contaminated soil. Sodium, calcium, iron and lead concentrations in soil increased with increasing amounts of spent engine oil. The spent engine oil had an effect on the pH and the total organic carbon. In comparison to the control, Amaranthus viridis grown in the polluted soil had adverse effects on the number of leaves, plant height, and leaf area. These results showed that spent engine oil affects both the quality of the soil and the growth parameters of the plant (Amaranthus viridis) which can be used to inform farmers and agriculturalists how adverse the effect of spent engine oil is to our plants and ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations and human health risk associated with alkylphenols, bisphenols, Pb, Fe, Cd, and Cr were evaluated in samples of eight different canned foods sold in Lagos, Nigeria using standard techniques. The concentrations of Pb ranged from 0.002 to 2.84 mg/kg, Fe values ranged from 1.05 to 140.34 mg/kg, Cd levels ranged from 0.03 to 0.65 mg/kg, Cr levels ranged from 0.35 to 0.77 mg/kg, and bisphenol-A (BPA) values ranged from 33.90 to 70.14 ng/g across the canned foods. The estimated daily intake (EDI) through the consumption of the different canned foods sampled ranged from 3.67x10-6 to 2.33x10-2 mg/kg/day for Pb, 1.02x10-3 to 1.43 mg/kg/day for Fe, 1.50x10-5 to 6.61x10-3 mg/kg/day for Cd, 7.80x10-5 to 7.83x10-3 mg/kg/day for Cr, and 1.70x10-5 to 5.81x10-4 mg/kg/day for BPA. Most canned food groups had EDI values that were lower than the recommended provisional tolerable daily intake for the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives However, canned peas and canned beans had EDI values that were higher than the recommended limits for Pb, Fe, and Cr. The results from the hazard index (HI) suggest that there is a risk of a non-carcinogenic toxic effect for canned tomatoes, canned fish, canned corn, canned beans, and canned peas as their values were greater than 1. Results from this study can be used to inform regulatory decisions, guide industry standards for the production of these products and used by consumers to make informed decisions about which canned foods to purchase and consume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the phytotoxicity of spent engine oil and palm kernel sludge on seed germination, seedling early growth and survival of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) and its phytoremediating potential. 8.0 kg topsoil mixed with 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% (w/v) of spent engine oil and palm kernel sludge, while the control was not mixed with spent oil and sludge (0%). The seeds were sown on these soils and monitored daily. Parameters taken were; plant height, leaf number and stem girth. The result showed that spent engine oil treated plants adversely affected growth compared to palm kernel sludge plants and control which performed better. For plant height, the mean stem girth for control at 2nd week was 0.40±0.05 mm, spent engine oil was 5.96±0.97 palm kernel oil effluent was 14.73±1.16 and at 12th week, control was 1.30±0.05 while for SEO the plant had withered and 124.6±9.02 for POE. Number of leaves at the 12th week was 26.00±2.08 in the control, 8.66±0.66, for spent engine oil at 4%, while for palm oil effluent it was 27.66±0.66, at 4%, concentration respectively. Stem girth at 2 weeks for spent engine oil was 0.19±0.05 at 2%, 0.43±0.03 for palm kernel oil effluent and at the 12th week of planting at 10% concentration was 1.63±0.08 for palm kernel oil effluent, and all plants had withered off for spent engine oil at same concentration at the 12th week. Also, spent engine oil at all concentrations delayed the germination of Helianthus annuus by 2days compared to control. Comparison analysis test showed that growth in untreated plants were significantly higher (p>0.05) than spent oil and palm kernel sludge treated plants. Similar result was observed for leaf number and stem girth which had higher mean value in palm kernel sludge and control compared to spent oil. Sunflower grown in 8% and 10% palm kernel sludge contaminated soil also flowered eight days earlier than control plants, while spent oil treated plant did not. The result shows that sunflower cannot tolerate high (4%, 6%, 8% and 10%) concentrations of spent engine oil in soil compared to palm oil effluent. Therefore, spent engine oil should be properly disposed because of its adverse effect on the growth and yield of sunflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination from heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from dumpsite, automobile mechanic workshop and metal scrap sites pose human and ecological health risks. This study assesses the levels of heavy metals and PAHs in soils from these sites and their effects on the DNA yield and fragmentation of native plants around there. The DNA yield and fragmentation were compared to those obtained from non-polluted sites (control). DNA of the plants species, Musa acuminata (banana), Jatropha curcas (Barbados nut), Carica papaya (pawpaw), Axonopus compressus (carpet grass), Sida acuta (wireweed), and Eleucine indica (crabgrass grass) for polluted sites and control were analyzed using Gel electrophoresis. Soil heavy metals; copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) were evaluated from dumpsite, metal area and mechanic workshop using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were also determined from soils of the polluted sites using the GC/MS spectrophotometry. The result obtained from the DNA analysis showed that DNA yield and fragmentation of the polluted plants had higher indices than the controls which shows that heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affect the DNA of the plants. The effects of the pollutants on DNA of polluted plants had more smearing in their tissue than non-polluted plants. Heavy metals evaluation showed that zinc level was the highest in all the study sites; dumpsite, metal area and mechanic workshop (5.146 mg/kg, 2.709 mg/kg and 1.990 mg/kg respectively) than the control (p<0.05). Chromium was the least present (0.022 mg/kg, 0.018 mg/kg and 0.002 mg/kg respectively). The results of this study indicate that dumpsite, mechanic workshop and metal scrap sites are potential sources of PAH and toxic metal, which can pose serious human health and ecological risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous researches have shown the presence of heavy metals (HMs) such as lead (Pb) at different levels in Olusosun dumpsite, Lagos. This study aimed at finding out if the anatomical differences found in Luffa cyclindrical and Amaranthus viridis grown on the dumpsite is an indication of the HMs and also determine the distribution of HMs on the dumpsite. The results showed the HMs detected in the dumpsite soil at three spots were significantly higher than the control (p=0.5). The concentrations of HMs were in sequence for soils A: Pb>Zn=Cr>Fe>Cu>Ni. Spot B: Fe>Cr>Pb>Zn>Cu>Ni, spot C: Fe>Pb>Cr>Zn>Cu>Ni and Control: Pb>Fe>Zn>Cu>Ni. All the HMs detected at the three spots and control were below the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dutch pollutant standard level, except for (Zn) which was at the exact limit (50.000Mg/kg). The plants obtained from both the dumpsite and control sites didn’t show marked visible morphological changes. However, anatomical changes in the leaves epidermis such as irregular shape of the epidermis, absence of trichomes and decrease in quality and stomata size were all witnessed in the dumpsite plant as against the control. Hence, it is likely that all detected differences in the epidermal structures of the test plant grown on dumpsite soil were caused by the high level of HMs present in the dumpsites and therefore suggested that, changes in epidermal structures of L. cyclindrical and A. viridis grown on Olusosun dumpsite soils is an indication of HMs such as Zn and Pb present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytogenotoxic effects of emulsifiable concentrate of amitraz pesticides was evaluated using Allium cepa L. test. The root meristems of A. cepa L. were treated with five concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 40%) of the chemical pesticide at 48 h for cytogenetic analyses and 96 h for root length inhibition. Pesticide doses affected root length significantly (P<0.05) at 5% to 40%; with 50% effective concentration (EC50) value of 18% while there was no significant difference between control and 1% (p>0.05). The mean root length of the treated A. cepa for Amitraz pesticides in all concentrations was lower compared to the control showing the obvious mitodepressive effects of amitraz pesticides. A dose dependent reduction in the total mitotic dividing cells and mitotic index was observed in A. cepa treated with the pesticides. The values of mitotic index obtained for amitraz pesticides at 5% (5.20), 10% (4.0), 20% (2.30) and 40% (0.80) were lower than half of the negative control (7.25), which reflect its cytotoxicity. All the concentrations of the pesticides used in the present study induced important abnormalities during mitotic division. These aberrations were: chromosome stickiness, disturbed spindle, anaphase and telophase bridges, chromosome fragments, laggard chromosomes, and c- Mitosis. The highest abnormality number was observed in the root tips of Allium cepa (5%) while the least was at 40%. Frequencies of chromosome abnormalities were low at 20% and 40% concentration because of damaged cell and lower cell divisions. The present study, showed the inhibition of growth and induction of chromosomal aberrations by amitraz, this suggest their capability in inducing cytotoxicity and genome instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to monitor the distribution of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in plants of Lagos lagoon wetlands in Nigeria. Water, soil and dominant plants were collected from 46 sampling points for a period of 1 year and analysed using ICP-AES. The order of heavy metals presence in soil samples was as follow: Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd>Ni. The Zn concentration was the highest whereas the lowest concentration was Ni. All water samples showed varying degrees of contamination across all the sampling points in these wetlands. A greater percentage of all metals concentration for Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were higher than the permissible limit set by World Health Organisation. Pb ranged from 0.01±0.00 to 0.91±0.04 mg/L, Cd from 0.01±0.00 to 0.31±0.02 mg/L, Cr from 0.05±0.00 to 1.15±0.01 mg/L, Ni from 0.01±0.00 to 0.52±0.03, Cu from 0.21±0.01 to 1.11±0.01 mg/L and Zn ranged from 0.15±0.00 to 10.28±0.02 mg/L. The median values of each metal that the shoots and roots of individual plants accumulated metals in the order: Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni>Cd. Ipomea aquatica had the highest concentration of Pb in its shoot (1.12 mg/kg) while Ludwigia adscendens had the least (1.12 mg/kg) in its shoot. Pb level in the roots was highest in Eichonia crassipes (5.69 mg/kg). The highest level of Cr in shoot (2.23 mg/kg) and root (5.41 mg/kg) was observed in Commelina benghalensis while Cr concentration is lowest in the shoot (0.04 mg/kg) and root (0.18 mg/kg) of Althernathera philoxerrides. Ludwigia adscendens had the lowest concentration of Ni in its root (0.01 mg/kg). The highest shoot concentration of Cu (4.21 mg/kg) was observed in Eichonia crassipes while Ipomea aquatica had the lowest concentration in its shoot (0.23 mg/kg). Paspalum vaginatum's root had the highest Cu concentration (12.32 mg/kg) while lowest concentration of Cu was observed in the root of Sagittaria sagittifolia (0.69 mg/kg). Transfer factors for most of the plants species were less than 1, indicating that metals accumulated by these plants were largely retained in the roots. A. philoxerrides had translocation factor greater than one for Ni (10.30), while for Cr was 1.25 and 1.40. This present findings indicate that, despite ecological similarities, the different plant species tend to respond differently to exposure to heavy metals and also in their ability to accumulate the various metals. Thus, heavy metals sequestration from the soil to these plants characterized them as metals pollution indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing environmental concern over improper disposal of spent engine oil (SEO) from serviced engines. These concerns are the results of increasing pollution of the environment by SEO with its negative consequences on plants and other forms of life. The present study assessed the effect of Macrophomina phaseolina and nutritional amendment on Luffa aegyptiaca grown on spent engine oil polluted soil in a screen house. The effect of SEO and nutritional amendment on L. aegyptiaca was assessed on germination, plant height, leaf area, stem girt and number of leaves. Two concentrations of SEO (100 and 200ml) in four kilogram of soil were used in four replications each. Results show that SEO adversely affected the germination and growth of L aegyptiaca as delayed germination, reduction in heights, leaf area and number of leaves were observed in the crop planted in SEO polluted soil. Germination (emergence) of L. aegyptiaca seeds planted in SEO polluted soil began after four days compared to two days for plants in untreated soil. Germination efficiency for seeds planted in unpolluted soil was up to 100% but reduced to 20% when the soil was polluted with SEO. However, nutritional amendment and M. phaseolina increased seed germination in SEO polluted soil from 20% to 60%. Nutritional amendment and M. phaseolina were thus shown to enhance the germination and growth of L. aegyptiaca in SEO polluted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the effects of Arachis hypogaea and Sorghum bicolor on the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content, pH, moisture content, total organic matter, total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available chloride, sulphate and phosphorus ions of crude oil contaminated soil. Pot experiments were conducted in which A. hypogaea and S. bicolor were grown in soil artificially contaminated with different concentrations of crude oil (0%, 1%, 2%, 3% w/w). All treatments were replicated three times. The soil parameters were determined by following standard methods while the TPH and hydrocarbon fractions were determined using the Gas chromatography techniques. The result showed that during the period of study the pH of the soil increased significantly (P<0.05) in this order; soil without plant > soil with S. bicolor> soil with A. hypogaea in all crude oil contaminations except in 2%. All other soil properties including the TPH content significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the same order in all crude oil contamination levels. The lower TPH content of soil with A. hypogaea observed in this study suggests that its growth has improved soil dynamics and working capacity than S. bicolor. This may be a pointer that A. hypogaea will do better than S. bicolor in reclamation of crude oil contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the cytotoxic response, germination, survival, morphological deviations as well as enzyme activities of Arachis hypogaea and Sorghum bicolor in crude oil contaminated soil. Crude oil spillage was simulated to achieve 1%, 2%, 3% (w/w) contamination levels in pot experiments. Treatments without crude oil were used as control. Cytotoxicity, germination and survival were determined by using percentages while enzyme activity was measured by using spectrophotometric methods and standard curves. S. bicolor had lower mitotic index (3.7) with higher percentage aberrations (65.56%) compared to A. hypogaea. However, difference in mitotic index and percentage aberration between A. hypogaea and S. bicolor was not significant at P=0.05. Percentage germination and survival of both plants were not different. Enzyme study showed that enzyme activity in A. hypogaea and S bicolor were the same in control but increased with crude oil contamination. Laccase activity was significantly higher (P=0.05) in A. hypogaea than in S. bicolor in 1% and 2% crude oil concentrations. The same applies to soluble methane monoxygenase activity in all crude oil concentrations. Tyrosinase activity was not significantly different in both plants in all concentrations. The study shows A. hypogaea to have better tolerance in crude oil contaminated soils than S. bicolor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indiscriminate use of the Sniper Branded pesticide (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) containing pesticide) in recent times in the country and its reported persistence in the environment has made it an environmental and health concern for the country. This study investigated the ability of Pleurotus ostreatus in degrading the stated DDVP containing pesticide substance in contaminated soil samples under laboratory controlled environment. The experimental setup include soil samples contaminated with three concentrations of the pesticide: 10% v/w, 30% v/w and 60% v/w, the soil samples were then inoculated with vigorously growing spawns of P. ostreatus. The setup was then incubated for 90 days, after which the pesticide concentration, nutrient content, organic content, pH, and heavy metal content of the soil samples were determined. The results of the study showed that the nutrient and organic content of the soil decreased after 90 days' incubation with mushroom. Furthermore, the heavy metal contents of the soil samples incubated with mushroom had significantly (p<0.05) lower proportions of heavy metal content. Of note is the total clean-up of the lead ion concentration of the pesticide polluted soil for all concentrations prepared in the study. Additionally, incubation with P. ostreatus significantly (p<0.05) reduced the pesticide concentration in the soil by 57.74% for the 10% concentration and by 31.64% for 60% concentration. The results showed that P. ostreatus is useful in the bioremediation of soils contaminated with pesticides containing DDVP on a small scale project. Therefore, the study recommended that soil contaminated with the DDVP pesticides may be treated with P. ostreatus to reduce heavy metal contents and total pesticide concentration in the soil to the generally acceptable levels that may not be deleterious to the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern day busy schedule of an average individual in Nigeria has made the consumption of snacks inevitable. This study assessed the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in some common snacks sold in two tertiary institutions in Lagos, Nigeria, using Perkin AAS Elmer model 460. The mean levels of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd found in plantain chips obtained from the University of Lagos main campus were 2.15 ± 0.13, 0.27 ± 0.03, 0.83 ± 0.04 and 0.10 ± 0.03 mg/kg respectively, while the mean levels of the same metals found in plantain chips obtained from Yaba College of Technology were 1.77 ± 0.57, 0.11 ± 0.04, 1.23 ± 0.61 and 0.08 ± 0.06 mg/kg respectively. Independent-samples t-test analysis revealed that the differences between the mean metal levels in snacks obtained from the two institutions were not significant (P > 0.05). Though the levels of most metals in snacks obtained from the two institutions were within the upper limits of the range specified by the World Health Organization, the consumption of snacks with such metal loads over a long period of time may result in metal accumulation in the body beyond tolerable limit. These findings may be a reflection of what obtains in other educational institutions in the country. The authorities of tertiary institutions and other levels of education in Nigeria are therefore called upon to strengthen and widen their internal control mechanisms to guarantee the quality and safety of snacks sold to students and other people on their campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil plays crucial and strategic life-supporting roles as man and many other living organisms depend directly or indirectly on if for food and shelter. In spite of this fact, the soil is constantly subjected to various forms of abuse, including heavy metals pollution. The ecological destructive effect, high cost, and intensive labour reguirement associated with ex situ physico-chemical remediation methods make the search for in situ remediation technigues inevitable. This paper gives an update on the remediation technigues that can be carried out in situ. Included in the review are more recent biological remediation methods, like vermiremediation, which are especially eco-friendly, cost effective, and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]