INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION IN NIGERIA by Ebele C. Okigbo, Nneka R. Nnorom, Ernest O. Onwukwe (fantasy novels to read TXT) 📕

large ethnic group of Eastern Nigeria were recorded as the main eaters of white chalk and calabash chalk (Ulo and Nzu) (Abrahams, 2013).

 

Heavy metal is a metal with a high relative atomic mass and a specific gravity greater than 5.0 especially one that is poisonous such as Pb and Hg. It may include the transition metals, some metalloids, lanthanides and actinides. They exist naturally at various concentrations in the ecosystem. The metals includes Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc  (Zn), Chromium (Cr), Argon (Ar), Cadmium (Cd), Titanium (Ti), Aluminium (Al), Silver (Ag), Mercury (Hg), Selenium (Se), Lead (Pb), Vanadium (V) and Barium Ba (Wilson, 2003). However, several researchers carried out on Ulo and Nzu clay which is geophacious materials has revealed abnormally high amount of heavy metals which have the capacity to bio- accumulate in human system, resulting in reduced birth weights and premature birth during human pregnancy (Wiley and Solomon 1998). It also cause reproductive harm in men and hormonal imbalance of metabolite of vitamin D in children (Agene et al, 2014). People especially pregnant women who eat ‘ulo and nzu clay” are exposed to the dangers of these heavy metals naturally present in the soil, hence there is need to ascertain the nutritional value and heavy metal contents of these clays since their bio- accumulation pose a health risk.

 

 

Statement of the Problem

Arbitrary consumption of the edible commercial clays by some pregnant women despite its health hazards is an obvious health risk to the women and the foetus. Therefore, there is urgent need to analyse the mineral and heavy metal contents of the clays.  

Purpose of the Study

 

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to determine the mineral and heavy metal contents of edible commercial clays (Nzu and Ulo). Specifically, the study analyzed the following:

The main purpose of the study is to determine the mineral and heavy metal contents of edible commercial clays (Nzu and Ulo).  Specifically, the study analyzed the following:

The mineral contents of edible commercial clay Nzu and Ulo

The heavy metal content of edible commercial clay Nzu and Ulo

Compared the quantity of the heavy and mineral contents of edible commercial clay Nzu  and Ulo.

 

Research Questions

1. What are the heavy metal content of edible commercial clays (Nzu and Ulo)?

2. What are the mineral contents of edible commercial clays Nzu and Ulo?

3. Which of them content higher quantity of mineral and heavy metal.

 

Materials and Reagents Used

20% sulphuric acid

Stock solution

Reference Standard (20ppm)

Calabash chalk (Nzu)

White chalk (Ulo)

AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy)

 

Methods

Collection of samples

The Nzu and Uo clay were collected from Oko market in Orumba North in Anambra State. The two samples were pounded separately into powder form and taken into Laboratory for analysis.

 

Preparation of samples

About 2g of the samples each were weighed into two different crucibles and packed into muffle furnace and heated at 4500C for 2hrs. 20ml of 20% Sulphuric acid was added to the sample and transferred to 50ml beaker and boiled over a hot plate for 30mins. The boiled sample was filtered using watchman filter paper into another 50ml beaker and made up to the mark with distilled water. The diluted sample was poured into the sample bottle and taken to the AAS machine for metal analysis.

 

Results

The heavy metal contents of the white chalk (ulo) and calabash chalk (nzu) are presented in Table 1.

 

 

 

 

Table 1: Heavy metal content of white chalk (ulo) and calabash chalk (nzu).

Metal                                 Ulo Clay (ppm)                 Nzu Clay (ppm)                  NAFDAC Permissible                                                                                                                                                                 limit                               

                                                                                                                                                Per Day                                                                                                                                                                                 (ppm)                               

  

Pb                 2.401                                                                1.900                                                0.30

Cd                1.636                                                                0.789                                                0.01

Cu                 0.00                                                                0.00                                                5.00

As                1.001                                                                0.663                                                1.40                               

 

 

 

Fig.1: A bar chart showing the level of heavy metals in Ulo and Nzu clay soils  from Oko environ.

From the graph above Ulo clay contain more lead, cadmium and Arsenic than the Nzu clay. Thus, Ulo from Oko has more heavy metal than the Nzu clay from the same location.

 

Table 2: Showing the concentration of minerals in White chalk (Ulo) and calabash chalk (Nzu) collected from Oko environs                                                                                                                               

 

Metal                 Ulo Clay (ppm)                 Nzu Clay (ppm)                  NAFDAC Permissible Limit

                                                                                                 Per Day                                                  

Mg                17.253                                                24.930                                                                20.00

Al                65.352                                                26.215                                                                10-11

Ca                3.722                                                11.552                                                                30.00

K                2.003                                                5.221                                                                25.00                                               

 

 

 

 

Fig.2: A bar chart showing the level of minerals in Ulo and Nzu clay soils from Oko environ.

From the chart above Nzu clay collected from Oko appear to contain more concentration on the following minerals Mg, Ca and K than the Ulo clay collected from the same location.

 

 

Discussion

From the result table 4, the two species contained Pb, and Cd in a concentration above the NAFDAC standard limit per day meaning that to consume these clay will be harmful to human life (Balan et al., 2010). Also, from table 4.2 the two clay has minerals in appreciable amount of these and so a rich source of these minerals with Aluminium having the highest concentration in Ulo clay, though exceeds the NAFDAC permissible limit for Aluminium per day (Akpantali et al, 2010).

 

High levels of aluminium in the body have been shown to have neutrotoxic effects, effects on bone and possibly reproduction. This occurs when the amount of aluminium consumed exceeds the body’s capacity to excrete it, because the aluminium is then deposited in our bodies and can cause problems likewise heavy metals (Akpantali et al., 2010). Some studies seem to show that a high intake and uptake of aluminium gives toxic effects. When aluminium is absorbed, it is carried through the blood stream to the kidneys, where it is rapidly discharged. Patients with kidney failure will not be able to eliminate aluminium, and the aluminium can accumulate and cause a toxic effect. It is important that people with kidney failure only use aluminium-free water when undergoing dialysis (European Aluminium Association and WHO, 2016).

 

Conclusion

Conclusively, Ulo and Nzu clay from Oko is contaminated with heavy metals especially Lead and cadmium having concentrations above the NAFDAC standard limit per day. Also, they both contain minerals in appreciable concentrations.

 

 

 

Recommendation

It can be recommend that people living in Aguata environs, particularly Oko environment should be well informed on the dangers that are associated with consuming clay that is contaminated with heavy metals. Also regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and SON should constantly monitor the clays sold in Oko and its environ before being send into the market for sale.

 

References

Abdulrahman, F.W and Itodo , A.U. (2006). Canned fish poisoning, high level of some toxic heavy metals . Medical and pharmaceutical sciences, 2(1);10-14.

Abifarin, M.S. (1999). Investigation on local refractory materials for high temperature applications. Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Minna, P.17.

Abrahams, PW, Davies Tc, Solomon A.O, Trow AC and Wragg J, 2013 Human Geography calabash chalk and Undongo: Mineral element nutritional implication , Accessed 4 July 2013. P547-556.

Agene, L.J; U.A; Mohammed S.O; Gajere, E.N; Dang, B; Jeb, D.N and Ogunmola , J.K. (2014). The Effects of geography on pregnant women in Nigeria. American Journal of Human Ecology, 3 (1); 1-9.

Agha, O.A. (1998). Testing of local refractory clay for producing furnace lining bricks, Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Mnna. Pp.52-65.

Akpantali, A.O.; C.E, Prince; Maturi M.B and James S.E (2010). “ The effect of calabash chalk on some haematogical  parameters in female adult wistar  rats.” Turkish Journal of Haematology, 27(3); 177 doi: 10.5152/ tjh.2010.25.

Akinbode, F.O (1996).An investigation on the properties of termite hill as refractory materials for furnace lining. Indian Foundry Journal, 11-23.

Bailey, S.W. (1980). Summary of recommendation of Association International Pour I’ Etude des Argiles AIPEA, nomenclature committee on clay. American Journal for minerals, 65: 1-7. http://www.minsocam. org / Accessed  July 2015.

Balan, E, Delattre, S. Guillaumet, M and Salije, E.K.H. (2010). Low temperature infrared spectroscopic study of OH- stretching modes in Kaolinite and dinite. American Mineralogist, 95, 1257-1266.

Carretero. M.I (2002). Applied Clay Science, 21, 155- 163.

Dean, B, Gano D, Knight K, Ofman J, and Fax R. (2004). Effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors in non erosive reflux diseases. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2, 656-664.

Ekosse, G.I.E,  De Jager, I and Ngole (2010). South African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(47); 8058-8067.

Ekong, M.B; Davies M.J and Achoribo, S.E .(2012). “Evaluation of  calabash chalk effect of femur bone morphometry and Mineralization in young wistar rats: A pilot study. International Journal of Applied Basic Medical Research, 2(2); 107-110. Doi:10.4103/ 2229-516x.106352.

Guggenheim, S and R.T. Martin: (1995). Journal of Clays and clay minerals, 43; 255-256.

Hunter, J.M and Kleine. R (1984). Geophagy in Central America. Geographical Review 74, (2);157-169

Johns, T. (1999) The Chemical Ecology of Human Ingestive behaviours. Annual Review of Anthropology 28: 27-50

 Mcloughin IJ. 2009. The Picas Br. J. Hosp. Med 37, 286-290.

Wiley, A.S and Solomon, H. K (1998) Geophagy in Pregnancy, A text of a Hypothesis. Current Anthropology, 38 (4) 532-545.

Wilson, M.J (2003) Clay Mineralogical and related characteristics of geophagic materials Journal of chemical Ecology, 29; 1525-1547.  

 

 

INTIMACY AND ATTITUDE/HABIT AS MARITAL DYSFUNCTION RISK-FACTOR AMONG MARRIED PUBLIC SERVANTS IN ANAMBRA STATE

 

Dr. Juliana A. Akuezuilo

&

Uju C. Nwanna

 

Abstract

 

Marital dysfunction has been a global issue which has given many people concern. This has been in connection with many risk factors. This study therefore seeks to examine lack of intimacy and poor attitude/habit as a marital dysfunction risk factor among public servants in Anambra State. The study was carried out in Anambra State of Nigeria using descriptive survey design research method. The sample size was 814 public servants drawn from a population of 8,129 public servants using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Two research questions were answered using range of scores. A validated instrument known as Marital Dysfunction Risk Factors Inventory (MDRI) was used to collect data. Cronbach Alpha statistics was employed to obtain the internal consistency of the instrument which was scored cluster by cluster. The values obtained from the clusters are 0.89 and 0.86 respectively. Range of scores was used to answer the research questions. According to the analysis made, the result showed that lack of intimacy and poor attitude/habit are marital dysfunction risk factor of public servants in Anambra State. Based on the findings, recommendations were made which include marriage counsellors should carryout