The Impact of Biosolids on the Geotechnical Properties of Some Soils of the Niger Delta Sub-region, Nigeria
So-ngo Clifford Teme,
Vincent Onuoha
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, June 2020
Pages:
1-16
Received:
28 June 2019
Accepted:
3 January 2020
Published:
26 February 2020
Abstract: The production of biosolids (human wastes) in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has been taking place since man inhabited the sub-region. One of the negative impacts of biosolids is the changes to the geo-environmental conditions of the soils of the sub-region. Studies carried out on the effects of biosolids in the Niger Delta Sub-region over the last sixteen years indicate that the conventional geo-environmental engineering properties of the soils have been altered significantly. Biosolids have been found to affect both the grain size distribution patterns, the Atterberg Limits (Liquid Limits (LL), Plasticity indices (PI), California Bearing Rations (CBRs), Proctor Compaction indices such as Maximum Dry Densities (MDD); Optimum Moisture Contents (OMC), Soil friction angles () & cohesion values (c) and to an extent Ultimate Bearing Capacities (ϥult. & ϥallow). Biosolids applied on two types of tropical soils classified as slightly to medium plastic (lateritic (CL) and Sandy (SP) soils) batched and mixed at four different percentage levels of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of sample indicated that % biosolids in the soils positively correlated with the Total Organic Contents (TOC) while inversely correlating with the Moisture content in the lateritic soils to a limiting value at 15%, while in the basically sandy soil it was at the 20% biosolids treatment. The infiltration rate increased to a peak at 13.5% biosolids content and thereafter decreased, while in the basically sandy soil, addition of biosolids caused the infiltration rate to fluctuate. It has also been observed that 100kN is the critical stress under which high volume reduction is recorded in all cases of biosolids treatments. The 5 to 10% biosolids treatment range experienced minimum volume change (∆v) compared to the 15 to 20% biosolids treatment range. The wide gap observed existing between 15 – 20% and 0 – 10% biosolids treatment ranges tends to suggest the existence of two groups of biosolids-treated lateritic soils namely: the Low and High Compressible Lateritic soils.
Abstract: The production of biosolids (human wastes) in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has been taking place since man inhabited the sub-region. One of the negative impacts of biosolids is the changes to the geo-environmental conditions of the soils of the sub-region. Studies carried out on the effects of biosolids in the Niger Delta Sub-region over the last six...
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Pre-extension Demonstration of Moringa Preparation and Utilization Methods in East Shoa Zones of Oromia, Ethiopia
Gemeda Terfassa,
Desta Negeyo
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, June 2020
Pages:
17-22
Received:
6 February 2020
Accepted:
5 March 2020
Published:
27 August 2020
Abstract: Moringa plants are among high value a tree belongs to Moringaceae family which consists of 13 species and they are highly distributed in Africa and southern Asia. Eastern Shoa zones of Oromia regional state in central part of Ethiopia have favorable agro climatic conditions for cultivation of Moringa tree species. However, there is a few numbers of local communities experiencing Moringa trees production and consumption in the area. Thus, the objective of this training and demonstration to promote, popularize and improve public awareness on Moringa on procedures of Moringa preparation for effective consumption and utilization in the areas. Household interview followed by theoretical training with practical demonstration were used for the demonstration. Random sampling methods were used to select 60 farmer households, 4 experts and 7 DA’s. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The results indicated that the interviewed farmers about 76% have no Moringa on their farm and as a result most of them cannot identify Moringa visually. Similarly, many local farmers have no trees on their garden, and almost all of them (84%) have no information about Moringa unless few farmers with a piece of information on its medicinal uses with little hint on its preparation and utilization techniques. Many of the farmers only use Moringa leaves when they sick, especially for blood pressure. However the farmers have a desire to plant Moringa trees where as 40% of have a worry to get Moringa seedlings availability to plant and they claimed that this causes absence of Moringa trees on our farm. About 40% of the respondents were stated that, they only use Moringa for medicinal purpose, and in the same way about 40% of them are not previously used Moringa at all, while the rest 20% of them used as both for its medicinal and food source for some food type supplementation. However, many locals have interested in getting Moringa trees to plant. Hence, Popularization of Moringa should have to get attention by concerned stakeholders, especially on organizing continuous seeds and /or seedlings sources for local communities.
Abstract: Moringa plants are among high value a tree belongs to Moringaceae family which consists of 13 species and they are highly distributed in Africa and southern Asia. Eastern Shoa zones of Oromia regional state in central part of Ethiopia have favorable agro climatic conditions for cultivation of Moringa tree species. However, there is a few numbers of...
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