Papers by Aniefiok E . Ite
Malaysian journal of geosciences, Mar 31, 2023
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are known as persistent organic pollutants (POP) which ... more Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are known as persistent organic pollutants (POP) which exist in different media as contaminants in parts of the environment's atmosphere, seawater, sediments, soils, and vegetation. PAHs have been known for their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and toxic properties to humans through the food chain. This study is aimed to characterize and investigate the distribution of PAHs in wet precipitations, surface waters, and soils from Ikot Abasi, Ibeno, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. PAHs were determined in the environmental components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Two soil and two surface water samples were taken from selected locations and wet precipitation samples were harvested on event basis from the study areas .The results reveal the presence of the following priority PAHs at different concentrations: naphthalene, (0.02-0.09 mg/L);benzo[k]fluoranthrene (0.001-0.09 mg/L); benzo[e]pyrene (0.001-0.08 mg/L); benzo[a]pyrene (0.001-0.09 mg/L) ; 3-methylcholanthrene (1.27-7.21 mg/L) during the rainy and dry seasons in Ikot Abasi. The concentrations of naphthalene ranges (0.02-0.06 mg/L), 3-methylcholanthrene ranges (2.40-3.65 mg/L), while other PAHs levels were below detection limits in rainwater from Ibeno in both seasons. The concentrations of naphthalene ranges (0.02-0.05 mg/L); 3-methylcholanthrene (2.30-5.65 mg/L), while other PAHs levels were below detection limits in rainwater from Eastern Obolo in both seasons The PAHs levels indicated were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable limit of PAHs (0.0007 mg/L) in drinking water. The PAHs detected in the surface waters were in the order: Ikot Abasi (11.09 ±0.02 mg/L) > Eastern Obolo (3.87± 0.002 mg/L) > Ibeno (1.94 ± 0.004 mg/L), during the rainy season, while the PAHs detected in the surface waters were in the order: Ikot Abasi (13.79 ± 0.03 mg/L) > Eastern Obolo (3.95± 0.008 mg/L) > Ibeno (2.45±0.011 mg/L), during the dry season. The PAHs obtained for the soils in the three study areas during the rainy season were in the order: Eastern Obolo (776 ± 5.92 ug/kg) > Ibeno (732 ± 8.33 ug/kg) > Ikot Abasi (8 ± 0.07 ug/kg), while, during the dry season, the results were in the order: Ibeno (872±11.05 ug/kg) > Eastern Obolo (105±9.03 ug/kg) > Ikot Abasi (20 ± 1.95 ug/kg). Soils from Eastern Obolo and Ibeno have PAHs levels greater than 700 ug/kg, which is categorized as slightly polluted, with toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ) higher than permissible limit (33 ug/kg).This may cause ecological risk and raises public health concern that should attract more attention. Molecular diagnostic ratio analyses show that the sources of PAHs in the three study area are mainly pyrogenic.
Impacts of Climate Change on Phytoplankton Composition and Variability in Iko River, Coastal Water of Eastern Obolo, Nigeria
Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
This study investigated the effects of climate change on phytoplankton composition and diversity ... more This study investigated the effects of climate change on phytoplankton composition and diversity in Iko River, coastal water of Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom State, South Eastern Nigeria. The study area was greatly influenced by tidal flush from the Atlantic Ocean. Phytoplankton samples were collected monthly from October 2021 to March 2022 at high tide and low tide from 3 stations. Phytoplankton was identified and diversity was calculated using standard indices. Dissolved oxygen (3.3–6.0 mg/L) was above WHO guidelines of <5.0mg/L and BOD (2.40-5.30 mg/L) in this study was above the (4.0 mg/L) limit recommended as suitable for aquatic life by the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), which could pose a threat to aquatic life. A total number of 65 species of phytoplankton were identified in the study area. Bacillariophyta was the dominant group (69%) throughout the study in species number, occurrence and abundance. The increasing order of dominanc...
Relationship between traffic density, metal accumulation, pollution status, and human health problems in adjoining soils and vegetables within the South-South Region of Nigeria
International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology
Road transport is associated with the elevation of trace metals in the adjoining soils and vegeta... more Road transport is associated with the elevation of trace metals in the adjoining soils and vegetables and rate of metal accumulation on these media is directly related to the traffic density. This research investigated the association between traffic density, metal accumulation, pollution status, and human health problems in adjoining soils and vegetables within the southern Region of Nigeria. Top soils and vegetables (Vernonia amygdalina and Jatropha tanjorensis) were obtained from roadsides along roads with high traffic density namely: Abak, Aka, Ikot Ekpene, Nwanaiba, and Oron. Top soils and vegetables were also obtained from roadside along a road with low traffic density (Ekpri Nsukara) and used as the Controls. These samples and their Controls obtained within Uyo Metropolis using standard procedures were subjected to acceptable analytical treatments and determined the levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn using Spectroscopic methods. Results obtained revealed that, the mean conc...
Influence of Organic Acids on Kinetic Properties of Engineered Phlebia radiata MnP3 Enzymes (Wild-type and Mutants) during Mn (II) Oxidation
American Journal of Biomedical Research
Perceptions of Nanotechnology by Undergraduate Students in Some Nigerian Universities
Advances in nanotechnology has brought about development of cutting–edge technologies in various ... more Advances in nanotechnology has brought about development of cutting–edge technologies in various industries in technologically developed countries. However, little is known about its risks and potential applications in the developing countries around the world. This study investigates awareness, risk and benefit perceptions of nanotechnology by undergraduate students from some universities in Nigeria. The undergraduate students’ perceptions and opinions about nanotechnology were elicited through a survey tool that comprise of 30 structured questions. The study was carried out among 110 respondents from both public and private universities distributed within the four geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The results showed that a greater percentage (62.3%) of respondents had little to no understanding of the context or basic knowledge of nanotechnology and only (37.7%) of respondents had basic knowledge of nanotechnology. Although a majority (77.4%) of respondents had some level of awarenes...
フラットパネルディスプレイ用光学部材の動向 | 文献情報 | J-GLOBAL 科学技術総合リンクセンター
Comparative Assessment of Iodine Content of Commercial Table Salt Brands Available in Nigerian Market
Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been a major global public health problem threatening more ... more Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been a major global public health problem threatening more than 2 billion people worldwide. Considering various human health implications associated with iodine deficiency, universal salt iodization programme has been recognized as one of the best methods of preventing iodine deficiency disorder and iodizing table salt is currently done in many countries. In this study, comparative assessment of iodine content of commercially available table salt brands in Nigerian market were investigated and iodine content were measured in ten table salt brands samples using iodometric titration. The iodine content ranged from 14.80 mg/kg – 16.90 mg/kg with mean value of 15.90 mg/kg for Sea salt; 24.30 mg/kg – 25.40 mg/kg with mean value of 24.60 mg/kg for Dangote salt (blue sachet); 22.10 mg/kg – 23.10 mg/kg with mean value of 22.40 mg/kg for Dangote salt (red sachet); 23.30 mg/kg – 24.30 mg/kg with mean value of 23.60 mg/kg for Mr Chef salt; 23.30 mg/kg – 24...
Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals Contamination in Vegetables ( Telferia Occidentalis ) Irrigated with Polluted Effluent Water from Mechanic Village, Uyo
Journal of Plant Physiology & Pathology, Mar 12, 2021
This study investigates the distribution of cadmium and lead concentrations in the outcrop rock s... more This study investigates the distribution of cadmium and lead concentrations in the outcrop rock samples collected from Abakaliki anticlinorium in the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. The outcrop rock samples from seven sampling locations were air-dried for seventy-two hours, homogenized by grinding and pass through < 63 micron mesh sieve. The ground and homogenized rock samples were pulverized and analyzed for cadmium and lead using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The concentrations of heavy metals in the outcrop rock samples ranged from < 0.10 -7.95 mg kg -1 for cadmium (Cd) and < 1.00 -4966.00 mg kg -1 for lead (Pb). Apart from an anomalous concentration measured in Afikpo Shale (Middle Segment), the results obtained revealed that rock samples from all the sampling locations yielded cadmium concentrations of < 0.10 mg kg -1 and the measured concentrations were below the average crustal abundance of 0.50 mg kg . The results obtained reveal important contributions toward...
The effect of hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids) on the microbial mine... more The effect of hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids) on the microbial mineralisation of phenanthrene in soil slurry by the indigenous microbial community has been investigated. The rate and extent of 14C–phenanthrenemineralisation in artificially spiked soils were monitored in the absence of hydroxycinnamic acids and presence of hydroxycinnamic acids applied at three different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 µg kg-1) either as single compounds or as a mixture of hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids at a 1:1:1 ratio). The highest extent of 14C–phenanthrene mineralisation (P< 0.001) was obtained in soils amended with 50 µg kg-1 ferulic acid (52.9 % ± 0.45) compared to that obtained in unamended soils (37.2 % ± 0.23). In addition, mineralisation of 14C–phenanthrene was monitored in pre–incubated artificially spiked soils at various time intervals (0, 16, 32 and 48 d) following amendment with hydroxycinnamic acids at a concentration of 1...
Textural and Heavy Minerals Characterization of Coastal Sediments in Ibeno and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria
Textural characterization and heavy mineral studies of beach sediments in Ibeno and Eastern Obolo... more Textural characterization and heavy mineral studies of beach sediments in Ibeno and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State were carried out in the present study. The main aim was to infer their provenance, transport history and environment of deposition. Sediment samples were collected at the water–sediment contact along the shoreline at an interval of about 3m. Ten samples were collected from study location 1 (Ibeno Beach) and twelve samples were collected from study location 2 (Eastern Obolo Beach). A total of twenty–two samples were collected from the field and brought to the laboratory for textural and compositional analyses. The results showed that the value of graphic mean size ranged from 1.70Ф to 2.83Ф, sorting values ranged from 0.39Ф – 0.60Ф, skewness values ranged from -0.02 to 0.10 while kurtosis values ranged from 1.02 to 2.46, indicating medium to fine grained and well sorted sediments. This suggested that the sediments have been transported far from t...
Assessment of Cadmium and Lead Distribution in the Outcrop Rocks of Abakaliki Anticlinorium in the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria
This study investigates the distribution of cadmium and lead concentrations in the outcrop rock s... more This study investigates the distribution of cadmium and lead concentrations in the outcrop rock samples collected from Abakaliki anticlinorium in the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. The outcrop rock samples from seven sampling locations were air–dried for seventy–two hours, homogenized by grinding and pass through < 63 micron mesh sieve. The ground and homogenized rock samples were pulverized and analyzed for cadmium and lead using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The concentrations of heavy metals in the outcrop rock samples ranged from < 0.10 – 7.95 mg kg–1 for cadmium (Cd) and < 1.00 – 4966.00 mg kg–1 for lead (Pb). Apart from an anomalous concentration measured in Afikpo Shale (Middle Segment), the results obtained revealed that rock samples from all the sampling locations yielded cadmium concentrations of < 0.10 mg kg–1 and the measured concentrations were below the average crustal abundance of 0.50 mg kg–1. Although background concentration of <1.00 ± 0.02 mg kg...
Heavy Metals in Epiphytic Lichens and Mosses of Oil–Producing Communities of Eket and Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria
American Journal of Environmental Protection, 2016
Epiphytic lichen (Parmelia carperata) and moss (Polytrichum juniperinum, Calymperes erosum and Ra... more Epiphytic lichen (Parmelia carperata) and moss (Polytrichum juniperinum, Calymperes erosum and Racopilum africanum) samples were used as bioindicators and bioaccumulators of atmospheric heavy metals deposition in oil–producing host communities of Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria. Sampling of lichen and moss species that are found to grow extensively and abundantly on the stems and branches of several plants was performed during September 2014 at 25 sampling location sevenly distributed over the two oil–producing host communities studied. Unwashed, oven dried and homogenized powdered lichen and moss samples were mineralized using wet digestion with 3:1 mixture of concentrated nitric acid and perchloric acid in Teflon beakers on a Gerhardt digestion hot plate. The concentrations of heavy metals and/or trace elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) equipped with flame and/or graphite furnace systems. The concentration of heavy m...
The effect of flavonoids (flavone, morin hydrate and 3-hydroxyflavone)on the microbial mineralisa... more The effect of flavonoids (flavone, morin hydrate and 3-hydroxyflavone)on the microbial mineralisation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil slurry by the indigenous microbial communities has been investigated. The rates and extents of 14C–PAHs (14C–naphthalene, 14C–phenanthrene and 14C–pyrene)mineralisation in artificially spiked soils were monitored in the absence and presence of flavonoids applied at three different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 µg kg-1) either as single compounds or as a mixture of flavonoids (flavone, morin hydrate and 3-hydroxyflavone at a 1:1:1 ratio). Respirometric and microbial assays were monitored in fresh (0 d) and pre–incubated (28 d) artificially spiked soils following amendment with flavonoids. The highest extents of14C–naphthalene, 14C–phenanthrene and 14C–pyrenemineralisation (P< 0.001) were obtained in fresh artificially spiked soils amended with 100 µg kg-13-hydroxyflavonecompared to those obtained in unamended soils. However, ame...
Petroleum hydrocarbons contamination of soil, sediments and marine environment associated with th... more Petroleum hydrocarbons contamination of soil, sediments and marine environment associated with the inadvertent discharges of petroleum–derived chemical wastes and petroleum hydrocarbons associated with spillage and other sources into the environment often pose harmful effects on human health and the natural environment, and have negative socio–economic impacts in the oil–producing host communities. In practice, plants and microbes have played a major role in microbial transformation and growth–linked mineralization of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils and/or sediments over the past years. Bioremediation strategies has been recognized as an environmental friendly and cost–effective alternative in comparison with the traditional physico-chemical approaches for the restoration and reclamation of contaminated sites. The success of any plant–based remediation strategy depends on the interaction of plants with rhizospheric microbial populations in the surrounding soil medium an...
Advances in the development of petroleum resources has contributed enormously to the global energ... more Advances in the development of petroleum resources has contributed enormously to the global energy demand and economic development over the past decades, however, it has left profound negative impacts on the natural environment and adverse human health effects in most oil-producing host communities around the world. Apart from the loss of petroleum-derived revenue to corruption and ineffective government's petroleum development policies, the Niger Delta region has experienced a wide range of environmental pollution, degradation, human health risks and socio-economic problems associated with petroleum exploration, development and production. Over the years, several environmental laws have been institutionalized to regulate the petroleum sector in Nigeria. The Nigerian government and other African countries have played tremendous roles in the emergence of international environmental law that regulate the establishment of environmental institutions and legislations as well as strat...
This study investigated the steady-state kinetics of engineered wild-type and manganese (II) bind... more This study investigated the steady-state kinetics of engineered wild-type and manganese (II) binding site mutants of recombinant Phlebia radiata manganese peroxidase 3(rPr-MnP3). The effect (activation or inhibition) of some metal ions (Co2+, Zn2+ Cu2+ and Na+) on the activity of rPr-MnP3 enzymes was also studied. The results obtained showed that the rPr-MnP3 mutants in which the metal binding functionality has been largely lost have been created. Na+ (mono-valent ion) and Co2+showed similar characteristics by exhibiting stimulatory effects on the activity of wild-type rPr-MnP3. However, Cu2+ and Zn2+ had mixed inhibitory effects on wild-type and mutants (E40H, E44H, E40H/E44H). It was observed that Cu2+ was by far the strongest inhibitor of engineered rPr-MnP3 enzymes while Co2+ exhibited a non-competitive inhibitory effect on the double mutant (E40H/E44H) and D186H activities. In addition, Zn2+ and Cu2+also had non-competitive inhibitory effect on D186H mutant enzyme activity. The...
Fate and bioavailability of pyrene and lindane in sterile artificial and real soils
Artificial soil is considerably different from real soil despite it was developed to serve as lmo... more Artificial soil is considerably different from real soil despite it was developed to serve as lmodel soilr in soil toxicity tests. From our earlier studies, it is apparent that organic carbon is not only determinant of pollutants fate, bioavailability and toxicity. Despite of this fact, some methodologies still use organic carbon for direct recalculation of toxicity or risk between different soils, i.e. also between artificial and real soils. This assumption might lead to the final risk under- or over-estimation. Differences between artificial and natural soils are caused not only by components proportion (i.e. relatively high total organic carbon content) but also by their character n peat and kaolin clay are the most critical components affecting the fate of contaminants. This study is posing claim to investigate the differences in bioavailability of selected POPs between artificial and natural soils and its changes in time. Three natural soils were used with different total organ...
The effect of rhizosphere soil or root tissues amendments on the microbial mineralisation of hydr... more The effect of rhizosphere soil or root tissues amendments on the microbial mineralisation of hydrocarbons in soil slurry by the indigenous microbial communities has been investigated. In this study, rhizosphere soil and root tissues of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), channel grass (Vallisneria spiralis), blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) and goat willow (Salix caprea) were collected from the former Shell and Imperial Industries (ICI) Refinery site in Lancaster, UK. The rates and extents of 14 C–hydrocarbons (naphthalene, phenanthrene, hexadecane or octacosane) mineralisation in artificially spiked soils were monitored in the absence and presence of 5% (wet weight) of rhizosphere soil or root tissues. Respirometric and microbial assays were monitored in fresh (0 d) and pre–incubated (28 d) artificially spiked soils following amendment with rhizosphere soil or root tissues. There were significant increases (P < 0.001) in the extents of 14 C–naphthalene and 14 C–phenanthrene ...
The effect of rhizosphere soil or root tissues amendments on the microbial mineralisation of hydr... more The effect of rhizosphere soil or root tissues amendments on the microbial mineralisation of hydrocarbons in soil slurry by the indigenous microbial communities has been investigated. In this study, rhizosphere soil and root tissues of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), channel grass (Vallisneria spiralis), blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) and goat willow (Salix caprea) were collected from the former Shell and Imperial Industries (ICI) Refinery site in Lancaster, UK. The rates and extents of 14 C-hydrocarbons (naphthalene, phenanthrene, hexadecane or octacosane) mineralisation in artificially spiked soils were monitored in the absence and presence of 5% (wet weight) of rhizosphere soil or root tissues. Respirometric and microbial assays were monitored in fresh (0 d) and pre-incubated (28 d) artificially spiked soils following amendment with rhizosphere soil or root tissues. There were significant increases (P < 0.001) in the extents of 14 C-naphthalene and 14
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Papers by Aniefiok E . Ite