Post Impact of Hydrocarbon Spillage on Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in the Santa Barbara River, Nembe, Bayelsa State

The work of the paper focused on the post impact of oil spill contamination of groundwater in Bassambiri Nembe Bayelsa State. Groundwater samples were sampled from hand dug wells from eight stations including the control point for physico-chemical investigation using sterilized glass bottles. Sampling was carried out upstream and downstream on the Santa Barbara River across the stations and the results are as follows surface water pH ranged 6.90 - 7.50, electrical conductivity 19739.41 μS/cm - 28920.64 μS/cm and Chloride 6019.63 - 9274.82 mg/l. The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) varied from 10472.72 mg/l - 16538.19 mg/l dissolved oxygen (DO) 6.21 mg/l - 7.371 mg/l while the mean biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) 0.09 ± 0.52 mg/l - 2.4 ± 0.81 mg/l, temperature 28.04℃ - 31.79℃ while total alkalinity is 43.95 mg/L -73.87 mg/L. Calcium ion ranged 375.68 mg/l - 536.72 mg/l, Magnesium ion 88.35 - 243.24 mg/l and Potassium ion 41.27 - 121.17 mg/l. The results of the study showed that the pH, salinity, alkalinity, total suspended solids (TSS), Chlorides, Phosphates, and Nitrates are within permissible limits of the WHO, however the electrical conductivity, TDS, turbidity, DO, BOD, and hardness exceeded WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) and Heavy metals had low concentrations in the Santa Barbara River across the study area suggesting that surface water is not polluted. However, the surfactants used initially to contain the oil pollution were effective based on this research.

Spilled gallstone mimicking intra-abdominal seeding of gallbladder adenocarcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Gallbladder rupture is common in laparoscopic cholecystectomy because the gallbladder is usually in acute or chronic inflammation status.The gallstones may sometime be spilled into the peritoneal cavity,resulting in intra-abdominal ab-scess if the gallstones were not retrieved.The diagnosis of intra-abdominal ab-scess caused by unretrieved gallstone can usually be correctly identified in the routine imaging studies,such as abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomo-graphy(CT).Here we present a case of abscess formation from unretrieved gall-stone following laparoscopic cholecystectomy,which mimics the imaging findings of metastatic gallbladder ade-nocarcinoma.CASE SUMMARY This case described a 78-year-old man who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder adenocarcinoma was diagnosed after surgery.After adjuvant chemotherapy,the following up abdominal CT showed several small nodules at right upper abdomen and peritoneal carcinomatosis is considered.Repeated laparoscopic surgery for the excision of seeding tumor was conducted and the pathological diagnosis of the nodules and mass was inflammatory tissues and gallbladder stone.CONCLUSION Spilled gallstones are a common complication during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and some gallstones fail to be retrieved due to the size or the restricted view of laparoscopic surgery.For spilled gall bladder stones,surgeons may consider regular computerized tomography follow-up,and if necessary,laparoscopic examination can be used as a means of confirming the diagnostic and treatment.

Bioleaching of copper from pre and post thermally activated low grade chalcopyrite contained ball mill spillage

Bioleaching of a low grade chalcopyrite （ball mill spillage material） was tested for copper recovery in shake flasks. The original samples （as received） were thermally activated （600℃, 30 min） to notice the change in physico-chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the host rock and subsequently its effect on copper recovery. A mixed culture of acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacterial consortium predominantly entailing Acidithiobacillus fer- rooxidans strain was used for bioleaching studies and optimization of process parameters of both original and thermally activated samples. Mineralogical characteriza- tion studies indicated the presence of chalcopyrite, pyrite in the silicate matrix of the granitic rock. Field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with Energy dispersive spectroscopy （FESEM-EDS） and X-ray Fluor- escence （XRF） analysis indicated mostly SiO2. With pH 2, pulp density 10% w/v, inoculum 10% v/v, temperature 30~C, 150 r.min-~, 49% copper could be recovered in 30 days from the finest particle size （- 1 ~ 0.75 mm） of the original spillage sample. Under similar conditions 95% copper could be recovered from the thermally activated sample with the same size fraction in 10 days. The study revealed that thermal activation leads to volume expansion in the rock with the development of cracks, micro and macro pores on its surface, thereby enabling bacterial solution to penetrate more easily into the body, facilitating enhanced copper dissolution.

Clues to predict incidental gallbladder cancer

Background: Consequences of incidental gallbladder cancer(iGBC) following cholecystectomy may include repeat operation(depending on T stage) and worse survival(if bile spillage occurred), both avoidable if iGBC were suspected preoperatively.Methods: A retrospective single-institution review was done. Ultrasound images for cases and controls were blindly reviewed by a radiologist. Chi-square and Student’s t tests, as well as logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses were used. A P ≤ 0.01 was considered significant.Results: Among 5796 cholecystectomies performed 2000–2013, 26(0.45%) were iGBC cases. These patients were older(75.61 versus 52.27 years), had more laparoscopic-to-open conversions(23.1% versus3.9%), underwent more imaging tests, had larger common bile duct diameter(7.13 versus 5.04 mm) and higher alkaline phosphatase. Ultrasound imaging showed that gallbladder wall thickening(GBWT) without pericholecystic fluid(PCCF), but not focal-versus-diffuse GBWT, was associated significantly with iGBC(73.9% versus 47.4%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, GBWT without PCCF, and age were the strongest predictors of iGBC. The consequences iGBC depended significantly on intraoperative bile spillage, with nearly all such patients developing carcinomatosis and significantly worse survival.Conclusions: Besides age, GBWT, dilated common bile duct, and elevated alkaline phosphatase, number of preoperative imaging modalities and the presence of GBWT without PCCF are useful predictors of iGBC.Bile spillage causes poor survival in patients with iGBC.

Laparoscopic management of a giant mucinous benign ovarian mass weighing 10150 grams:A case report

BACKGROUND Giant ovarian cysts(≥15 cm in diameter)are rare.The size limit of cysts and the methodology for a safe and successful minimally invasive surgery has not been established.Here we report a case of a large 10-kg multi-locular ovarian mass,which was successfully laparoscopically removed:Our aim was to innovate the surgical practice in this field by providing a safe,effective,and minimally invasive management method for such complex and rare cases.CASE SUMMARY A 49-year-old nulliparous woman presented with abdominal distension,lasting from six Mo prior to admission;she reported worsening abdominal pain,abdominal swelling,and mild dyspnea.Imaging showed a presumed benign multi-locular(>10 locules)left ovarian cyst that measured about 30 cm in diameter.Based on the IOTA-ADNEX model the mass had a 27.5%risk of being a borderline or malignant tumor.The patient was successfully treated via a direct laparoscopic approach with salpingo-oophorectomy,followed by the external drainage of the cyst.Tumor spillage was successfully avoided during this procedure.The final volume of the drained mucinous content was 8950 L;the cyst wall,extracted through the minilaparotomy,weighed about 1200 g.The pathologic gross examination revealed a 24 cm×15 cm×10 cm mass;the histologic examination diagnosed a mucinous cystoadenoma.To our knowledge,this is the first case of a giant multi-locular ovarian cyst treated with a direct laparoscopy with salpingo-oophorectomy followed by external decompression.CONCLUSION Choosing the appropriate technique and surgeon skill are necessary for a safe and effective minimally-invasive approach of unique cases involving giant ovarian cysts.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some tissues of croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Niger Delta region,Nigeria

Objective:To investigate the level of heavy metals(Cu,Zn,Fe Mn Ni,Pb and Cd) in muscles,gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima,Niger Delta region,Nigeria.Methods:Twenty four Croacker fishes(Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites(Bonny and finima rivers).The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105C until they reach a constant weight.The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture(HNO3:HCl O4:H2SO4),and then the digested samples were diluted to 100 ml with deionized water.Heavy metals(Cu,Ni,Zn,Pb,Mn,Iron Fe,and Cd) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results:Our results revealed that concentrations and distribution patterns of all heavy metals studied varied significantly(P < 0.05) amongst the fish tissues analyzed and sampling sites.Moreover,liver tissue of fish caught from Finima creek accumulated the highest concentrations of Cu(52.64 ± 3.01 mg/g dry wt),Zn(166.50 ± 6.45 mg/g dry wt)and Fe(801.50 ± 14.15 mg/g dry wt) in comparison to the liver of fish caught from Bonny river in which the levels of Cu,Zn and Fe were(45.00 ± 2.79),(49.90 ± 2.91) and(216 ± 6.11 mg/g dry wt),respectively.In addition,Mn,Ni,Pb and Cd exhibited their highest concentrations in gills from both locations.As expected,muscle tissue contained the least concentrations of all metals investigated from both sampling sites.Furthermore,all the metals investigated exhibited highest concentration in fish collected from Finima creek.These abnormal high level heavy metals accumulation observed in this location could be linked to the frequent crude oil spills as well as industrial activity around the area which might get discharged into Finima creek.In general,the mean concentrations of some toxic heavy metals investigated exceed the recommended maximum permissible limits set by the Joint FAO/WHO committee.However,some metals are within the acceptable limits.Conclusions:In conclusion,our data showed the abnormal higher concentration of these metals and this might be toxic to the fish and other aquatic organisms directly or by extension to humans that frequently consumed such contaminated fishes.