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Ndakara Ofudjaye Emmanuel

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (2): 143-155

    Ndakara Ofudjaye Emmanuel & Atuma Ifeanyi Morrison
    Characterising Rainwash Nutrient Fluxes and Soil Nutrients under Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) and Lowland Rainforest: implications for Ecosystem Management
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.2.143.155

    ABSTRACT
    This study aimed to ascertain the relationship between rainwash nutrient fluxes and soil nutrient properties under Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) and lowland rainforest for the purpose of sustainable ecosystem management. Both experimental and quasi experimental research designs were adopted. Samples from rainwash (for 12 months) and soil (from 0–15 cm and 15–30cm) were taken from 12 A. occidentale stands and 12 rainforests within 12 stratified quarters. Laboratory analyses of samples involved standard procedures, while data generated where statistically analysed. Results revealed that from A. occidentale and rainforest, fluxes of nutrients varied between throughfall (Tf) and stemflow (Sf), and between rainy season and dry season. The monthly nutrient fluxes by rainwash is such that Tf > Sf for both A. occidentale and native rainforest. The highest fluxes of nutrients by Tf occurred during dry months, with corresponding Sf fluxes were observed during rainy months. At 0.05 alpha levels, nutrient fluxes between Tf and Sf differed significantly; as well as between soil nutrient contents under A. occidentale and rainforest. Rainwash nutrients correlated positively and significantly with soil nutrients. Over time, A. occidentale add nutrients to soil through rainwash, therefore its cultivation is recommended for agro-forestry and sustainable ecosystem management.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0405-0413

    Ndakara Ofudjaye Emmanuel & Ohwo Odafivwotu
    Seasonality Assessment of Abattoir Waste Impact on Water Quality of Anwai River in Nigeria
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.405.413

    ABSTRACT
    Water is a very important environmental resource to all organisms. Therefore, guiding against the influx of pollutants into it is necessary. This study assesses the environmental and seasonality impact of abattoir waste on water quality of Anwai River in Nigeria. Experimental design was adopted, while systematic sampling technique was employed to divide the river into downstream (DS) and upstream (US) for samples collection. 24 samples were collected for 6 different months and analysed for physico-chemical properties (PCP) using standard laboratory procedures. Statistical analyses of data involved graphs, mean (μ), standard deviation (S2), standard error of mean (SEM) and t-test statistics. Findings show that PCP of water varied across months and seasons, as well as between the DS (with μ, S2, SEM =16.21, 26.58, ±6.10; and 18.40, 26.80, ±6.15 for rainy and dry seasons) and US (with μ, S2, SEM =10.69, 13.59, ±3.12; and 13.61, 18.39, ±4.22 for rainy and dry seasons). In both rainy and dry months, DS recorded higher temperature, acidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolve solid (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, phosphate, calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), ammonia (NH3), potassium (K) and total coliform (TC). There is no significant difference in the water quality between the rainy and dry seasons for both DS and US sections at 5% confidence level. Therefore, abattoir waste should be properly treated before disposal into rivers, while river waters should not be consumed directly without treatment.