ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS

Irrespective of the numerous environmental laws enacted to protect the environment, environmental degradation has continued unabated. Air and water pollution from industrial activities are still common place in Nigeria, especially in the urban areas. Air and water pollution has also continued unabated irrespective of the Nigerian government’s directive to reduce its effect. It travels from state dispersing pollutant in rivers and atmosphere. This study however wants to identify the problems of environment pollution on industrial equipment and proffer solution to the issue.

This study analyzed poverty status of forest dwellers in coastal communities of Ondo State, Nigeria. Ten communities were randomly selected in the coastal region of Ondo State. In the two local government areas that were selected, two sets of structured questionnaires were administered to ten randomly selected respondents in each of the communities visited. The result of the study shows that 60% of the respondent in both communities has no formal education. In Okitipupa, 50% of the respondents earn₦ 80,000-₦100,000 while 44% of the respondents in Ese-odo community earn between ₦60,000-₦80,000 per annum. This study also showed that 38% and 36% of the respondents in Ese-odo and Okitipupa community respectively have transportation problems.

A review of the literature to explore the studies that have looked at food safety and hygiene training with particular emphasis on street food vendors was conducted. The rationale to undertake a knowledge, attitudes and practices study is also briefly explored. The research focus on assessing attitudes and practices of street food vendors in preparation of food, its storage and dispensing. Limitations of this study were a relatively less sample size and the fact that this study was carried out in an urban setting, the facilities which could vary significantly from a rural area.

Air quality continues to be among the top environmental concerns in Nigeria. In nigeria, where majority of the rural population uses charcoal, very little is known about the impacts of the life-cycle of the fuel on the livelihoods of the producers, who endure significant health, safety, and environmental risks for marginal gain in a highly lucrative industry. Population increases and deviations from the energy ladder model suggest that charcoal demand for heating and cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to increase through the year 2030 and beyond. Charcoal production industry can use an air monitoring program to assist in addressing its environmental responsibilities, and its responsibility as a local community member. Industry performance monitoring enables industrial plant to be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner .

This study was carried out to examine heavy metals concentration in sediment of upstream and downstream of the entry of the sewage to the Orogodo River, Agbor, Delta state Nigeria . Samples were collected from upstream and downstream and were analyzed for Heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Ca, Mg, Co, Mn and Zn) by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It shows the concentration of iron, cadmium, manganese, cobalt, chromium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, nickel, lead and copper in mg/kg in sediments sampled.Some specific physico-chemical characteristics, such as TDS, pH, Temperature and conductivity which are known to influence the interactions and dynamics of metals within the sediment.

Wood wastes residues collected at sawmill along Benin Ilesha express way in Akure Ondo State (Ceiba pentandra, Melicia excelsa and mixture of Ceiba pentandra, and Melicia excelsa) ratio 50:50 were converted to liquid bio-fuel via slow pyrolysis process at three different temperatures, 450° C, 550° C and 650° C. The physical characteristics of the liquid bio-fuel viz; oil yield, volume, density, viscosity, pH were determined. The proximate values of the feedstocks (volatile matter, ash content and fixed carbon) were determined.

Increasing scarcity of fossil resources, increasing demand for petroleum fuels as well as increasing detrimental effects of extracting and using fossil fuels suggests alternatives. Biodiesel is a renewable, environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, technologically feasible and economically viable alternative fuel for diesel engines. This study investigates the comparative characterization of biodiesels produced by transesterification from Jatrpha curcas and Thevetia nerifolia seed oil using ratio 1:5, 1:6, and 1:7 of methanol and oil and base catalyst (NaOH), at temperature of 60oC.

This study was intended to evaluate the consequences of deforestation on rural household income. This study was guided by the following objectives; to find out the causes of deforestation in Odighi in Edo state, to examine the consequences of in rural household income, to determine the strategies of reducing deforestation.

This study was undertaken to determine the anti-oxidant, nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum from rainforest ecosystem of Ondo state, Nigeria. The anti-oxidant analysis was performed for seed kernel, fruit pulp, fruit skin and the whole fruit of Chrysophyllum albidum while nutritional and anti-nutritional composition for the species were performed for the fruit pulp and seed kernel. For Garcinia kola nutritional, anti-nutritional and anti-oxidant composition was performed on the seed kernel, fruit pulp and the fruit pod. Total phenol, total flavonoid, Vitamin C and 1-1, diphenyl picaryl hydrazine (DPPH) were the anti-oxidants determined for C. albidum and Garcinia kola. Analyses for nutritional (moisture content, ash, protein content, crude fibre, fat, carbohydrate) and anti-nutritional (phytate, oxalate tannin, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid) composition were conducted.

The rate at which printed wire boards (PWBs) of obsolete electrical andelectronic equipment (EEE) are being disposed into the environment is questionable. This is because PWB, contain toxic metals at concentrations that could pose human and environmental threats if not properly disposed of. This study investigated the levels of Zn and Pb, in the PWBs extracted from 35 discarded EEE (15 mobile phones, 10 laptops, 5 desktop computers, 3 televisions, and 2 DVD players). The PWBs were separately crushed with Mechanical milling machine and sieved with 2mm sieve to enable effective extraction of the metals aforementioned. All samples were weighed in duplicate making the total of 70 samples.