Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure in Soils of Ihwrekreka Communities, Delta State, Nigeria

Crude oil pollution in the Niger Delta, perpetrated by both local communities and industrial actors, has brought about soil pollution with its consequent ecological, human health and food challenges. The purpose of this research was to examine the concentration and distribution of heavy metals in soil from communities contaminated by crude oil in Niger Delta, and to evaluate the potential health risks to residents from exposure to these contaminants. To achieve this, soil samples were collected from the Ihwrekreka community and analyzed for heavy metal content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analytical results in mg/kg revealed a significant metals pollution level derived from the oil spill in the soil ranging from 4.85 - 17,078 (Cu), 1.01 - 16.1 (Cd), 0.22 - 36.8 (Cr), 8.28 - 40.9 (Ni), 7.51 - 6474 (Pb), and 8.84 - 12,851 (Zn) respectively. Most of the metals were above the permissible limits of World Health Organization, with Cu, Zn, and Pb as the most contaminating metals. Lead was found to be the main contributor to the hazard index (HI) values for both children and adults in the study area, with its concentration exceeding the permitted limits set by the WHO and the EC. The hazard index (HI) values of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cr were significantly higher than 1. These findings suggest that the release of heavy metals from an oil-contaminated site may pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Effects of water and salt for groundwater-soil systems on root growth and architecture of Tamarix chinensis in the Yellow River Delta,China

To test the patterns of the root morphology and architecture indexes of Tamarix chinensis in response to water and salt changes in the two media of the groundwater and soil,three-year-old T.chinensis seedlings were chosen as the research object.Groundwater with four salinity levels was created,and three groundwater level(GL)were applied for each salinity treatment to measure the root growth and architecture indexes.In the fresh water and brackish water treatments,the topological index(TI)of the T.chinensis roots was close to 0.5,and the root architecture was close to a dichotomous branching pattern.In the saline water and saltwater treatments,the TI of the T.chinensis roots was large and close to 1.0,and the root architecture was close to a herringbone-like branching pattern.Under different GLs and salinities,the total root length was significantly greater than the internal link length,the external link length was greater than the internal link length,and the root system showed an outward expansion strategy.The treatment with fresh water and a GL of 1.5 m was the most suitable for T.chinensis root growth,while the root growth of T.chinensis was the worst in the treatment with saline water and a GL of 0.3 m.T.chinensis can adapt to the changes in soil water and salt by regulating the growth and morphological characteristics of the root system.T.chinensis can adapt to high-salt environments by reducing its root branching and to water deficiencies by expanding the distribution and absorption area of the root system.

Assessing the Impact of Gas Flaring and Carbon Dioxide Emissions on Precipitation Patterns in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria Using Geospatial Analysis

This research utilizes geospatial methodologies to investigate the influence of gas flaring and carbon dioxide emissions on precipitation patterns within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.The study relies on average mean precipitation data sourced from CHRS at the University of Arizona and carbon dioxide emissions data from NASA’s AIRS in Giovanni,spanning from July 2002 to November 2011.To carry out the analysis,ArcGIS 5.0 and SPSS 25,employing Inverse Distance Weighting(IDW),were employed to assess CO_(2) emissions and rainfall for both November and July during the period from 2002 to 2011.Over the course of this study,it was observed that CO_(2) emission exhibited an upward trend,increasing from 327.5226 parts per million(ppm)in July 2002 to 390.0077 ppm in November 2011.Simultaneously,the rainfall demonstrated an increase,rising from 56.66 millimeters to 390.78 millimeters for both July and November from 2002 to 2011.Noteworthy findings emerged from the correlation analysis conducted.Specifically,from July 2000 to 2011,there was a weak positive correlation(0.3858)observed between CO_(2) emissions and minimum rainfall,while a strong negative correlation(–0.7998)was identified for maximum rainfall values.In November,both minimum and maximum CO_(2) emissions displayed strong negative correlations with rainfall,with coefficients of–0.8255 and–0.7415,respectively.These findings hold significant implications for comprehending the environmental dynamics within the Niger Delta.Policymakers and stakeholders can leverage this knowledge to formulate targeted strategies aimed at mitigating CO_(2) emissions and addressing potential climate change-induced alterations in rainfall patterns.

Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of organophosphate esters in aquaculture farms and natural water bodies adjacent to the Huanghe River delta

To date,little attention has been paid to the effects of organophosphate esters(OPEs)pollution on aquacultural environment and aquatic product safety.Huanghe(Yellow)River delta area is one of the largest aquaculture centers in China,where ecological security protection is crucial in the national strategy of China.To explore the pollution characteristics,bioaccumulation,and health risks of OPEs in aquaculture farms in the Huanghe River delta and natural water bodies in the adjacent seas,five species of organisms from different farm types nearby the Huanghe River delta,and the corresponding culture water and sediments were sampled in this study.The total concentrations of Σ_(13)OPEs in water,sediments,and organisms were 51.53-272.18 ng/L,52.63-63.17 ng/g dry weight(dw),and 46.82-108.90 ng/g dw,respectively.Among the five types of culture ponds,the water samples from the swimming crab and hairy crab culture ponds exhibited higher OPEs,the concentration of OPEs in the sediments from the few ponds was relatively balanced,and the OPEs in the organism from the holothurian ponds was higher.Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-isopropyl pho sphate)(TDCP)was the main contaminant in water samples and tripropyl phosphate(TPrP)in sediments and organisms.However,trisphenyl phosphate(TPhP)showed the strongest bioaccumulation ability,followed by 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP)and TPrP.The bioaccumulation capacities of the five species were as follows:prawn>holothurian>hairy crab>swimming crab>carp.These five types of organisms,as main seafood in human consumption,were at low risk of negative impacts of pollution.However,the risk from the mixture of organophosphate flame retardants(OPFRs)still requires more attention due to the increasing consumption and production in the world.

Monitoring and Quantification of Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Impact of Sea Surface Temperature on Marine Ecosystems as Climate Change Indicators in the Niger Delta Using Geospatial Technology

The Niger Delta marine environment has experienced a series of environmental disasters since the inception of oil and gas exploration,which can be attributed to climate change.Carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions and sea surface temperature(T)ties associated with burning fossil fuels,such as gas flaring,vehicular traffic,and marine vessel movement along the sea,are increasing.Using data extracted from the NASA Giovanni satellite’s Atmospheric Infrared Sounder(AIRS)and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS),this study mapped the carbon footprint and T along the coastline into the deep sea from 2003 to 2011,using ArcGIS software.The spatial distribution of CO_(2) and T concentrations determined by the inverse distance weighting(IDW)method reveals variations in the study area.The results show an increase in the quantity of the mean tropospheric CO_(2) from July 2003 to December 2011,from 374.5129 ppm to 390.7831 ppm annual CO_(2) emissions,which also reflects a continuous increase.The average Monthly sea surface temperature had a general increasing trend from 25.79℃ in July 2003 to 27.8°C in December,with the Pearson correlation coefficient between CO_(2) and T indicating 50%strongly positive,20%strongly negative,20%weakly positive,and 10%weakly negative.CO_(2) levels,like temperature,follow a seasonal cycle,with a decrease during the wet season due to precipitation dissolving and plant uptake during the growing season,and then a rise during the dry season.Carbon capture and storage technologies must be implemented to benefit the marine ecosystem and human well-being.

Application of 2-D and 3-D Geo-electrical Resistivity Tomography and Geotechnical Soil Evaluation for Engineering Site Investigation:A Case Study of Okerenkoko Primary School,Warri-Southwest,Delta State,Nigeria

In the design of building structures,joint efforts must be decided to resolve the depth of competent layers across the intended site to safeguard the durability of civil engineering structures and to avert the disastrous consequences of structural failure and collapse.In this study,an integrated methodology that employed DC resistivity tomography involving 2-D and 3-D techniques and geotechnical-soil analysis was used to evaluate subsoil conditions for engineering site investigation at Okerenkoko primary school,in the Warri-southwest area of Delta State,to adduce the phenomena responsible for the visible cracks/structural failure observed in the buildings.The results obtained brought to light the geological structure beneath the subsurface,which consists of four geoelectric layers identified as topsoil,dry/lithified upper sandy layer,wet sand(water-saturated)and peat/clay/sandy clayey soil(highly water-saturated).The deeply-seated peat/clay materials(ρ≤20Ωm)were delineated in the study area to the depths of 17.1 m and 19.8 m from 2-D and 3-D tomography respectively.3-D images presented as horizontal depth slices revealed the dominance of very low resistivity materials i.e.peat/clay/sandy clay within the fourth,fifth and sixth layers at depths ranging from 8.68-12.5 m,12.5-16.9 m and 16.9-21.9 m respectively.The dominance of mechanically unstable peat/clay/sandy clay layers beneath the subsurface,which are highly mobile in response to volumetric changes,is responsible for the noticeable cracks/failure detected on structures within the study site.These observations were validated by a geotechnical test of soil samples in the study area.Atterberg’s limits of the samples revealed plasticity indices of zero.Thus,the soil samples within the depth analyzed were representatives of sandy soil that does not possess any plasticity.The methods justifiably provided relevant information on the subsurface geology beneath the study site and should be appropriated as major tools for engineering site assessment/geotechnical projects.

Spatiotemporal Variation of Plant Diversity Under a Unique Estuarine Wetland Gradient System in the Yellow River Delta, China

Multiple natural and human factors in estuarine wetlands result in complicated land surface characteristics with distinct spatial and temporal heterogeneities,thereby contributing to the difficulty in identifying spatiotemporal variations and influencing factors of plant diversity.A unique estuarine wetland gradient system(UEWGS)consisting of soil,vegetation,heat,distance,landscape,and anthropogenic gradients was established based on the ecological features of estuarine wetland through remote sensing and field investigation methods.It resolved the complicated land surface characteristics,covered all aspects of factors influencing plant diversity,and possessed distinct spatiotemporal heterogeneities.The Yellow River Delta,the largest estuarine wetland in the northern China,was selected as the study area to demonstrate UEWGS in four seasons in 2017.A total of 123 species were recorded with considerable seasonal difference.Phragmites australis,Suaeda salsa,and Tamarix chinensis were the dominant species,and crop species also played important roles.In single effect,all aspects of gradients exerted significant influences,yet only vegetation gradient possessed significant influences in all seasons.In comprehensive effect,soil,vegetation,heat,and distance gradients showed significant gross influences.Moisture content in soil gradient and net primary productivity in vegetation gradient possessed significant net influences in all seasons and can be considered as the main driving factor and indicator,respectively,of plant diversity.The results validated the significance of UEWGS in revealing the plant diversity spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors,and UEWGS possessed universal applicability in the spatiotemporal analysis of plant diversity in estuarine areas.

Heavy Minerals and Geochemical Characteristics of Sandstones as Indices of Provenance and Source Area Tectonics of the Ogwashi-Asaba Formation, Niger Delta Basin

Heavy mineral petrographic and geochemical compositions (major and trace/rare earth elements)?of sandstones obtained from the Oligocene-Miocene Ogwashi-Asaba Formation, Niger Delta were studied to determine their provenance, source area weathering conditions and tectonic setting. The heavy mineral suite (opaque minerals, zircon, tourmaline, and rutile) revealed that the sandstones are mineralogically mature and implied rapid disintegration and chemical decomposition of sediments mostly of recycled orogen. The sandstones were geochemically classified as Fe-sand and partly quartz arenitic. Chemical Index of Alteration and Chemical Index of Weathering values of 89.92% and 91.87% respectively suggest that the source region was predominantly felsic and was subjected to intense chemical weathering probably under tropical palaeoclimatic conditions with abundant rainfall that enhanced sediment recycling. Major element concentration discriminant plots also indicated that the sediments were derived from mixed sources (granitic, gneissic or recycled orogen) under passive margin setting. Chondrite normalized plot of the rare earth element pattern is marked by light rare earth element enrichment and negative Eu anomalies, interpreted to mean that provenance was mainly continental crustal rocks. Trace elemental ratios that are provenance diagnostic (La/Sc, Th/Sc, Cr/Th, La/Co, Th/Co, Th/Cr, Eu/Eu*, and Eu*) all point to sediments derived from felsic source and upper continental crust. The mixed provenance of the sandstones can be traced to the southwestern and southeastern Basement Complex (consisting of granites, gneisses, etc.) and sediments derived from the adjacent sedimentary basins (Anambra and Benue Trough).

Predicting Soil Corrosivity along a Pipeline Route in the Niger Delta Basin Using Geoelectrical Method: Implications for Corrosion Control

The corrosivity of the top three metres of the soil along a pipeline route was determined using soil electrical resistivity for the emplacement of a conduit intended to serve as a gas pipeline. Fifty-six Schlumberger vertical electrical soundings (VES) were carried using a maximum current electrode separation ranging between 24 - 100 m at 2.0 km interval. The data was interpreted using a 1D inversion technique software (1X1D, Interpex, USA). Model resistivity values were classified in terms of the degree of corrosivity. Generally, the sub-soil condition along the pipeline route is non-aggressive but being slightly or moderately aggressive in certain areas due to local conditions prevailing at the measuring stations. Based on the corrosivity along the pipeline route, appropriate cathodic protection methods are prescribed.

Experiments in Forecasting Mesoscale Convective Weather over Changjiang Delta

The real time operational severe convective weather forecast experiment carried out during May to July in 1990 over the Changjiang Delta is briefly described. The heavy rainfall and severe conveetive weather forecast worksheets for the Changjiang Delta have been proposed and used in the daily forecasting. Results show that the ability of 0-12h convective weather prediction has been improved significantly after the development of the forecast methods and the establishment of a mesoscale forecast base at Shanghai Meteorological Center during 1986 to 1990.Three cases of convective weather systems (meso-alpha, meso-beta, meso-gamma) during the experiment period are described and discussed.

Effects of key species mud snail Bullacta exarata (Gastropoda) on oxygen and nutrient fluxes at the sediment-water interface in the Huanghe River Delta, China

Since the mud snail Bullacta exarata was introduced for economic aquaculture in the Huanghe River(Yellow River) Delta in 2001, its quick population growth and expanded distribution make it a key-species in the intertidal zone of this area. This significantly contributed to the economic income of the local people, but its potential ecological impact on the benthic ecosystem remains unknown. A mesocosm study was conducted to test whether its bioturbation activities affect the microphytobenthos(MPBs;i.e., sedimentary microbes and unicellular algae)productivity and the nutrient exchange between the sediment-water interface. Our results show that the mud snail significantly impacted the dissolved oxygen(DO) flux across the sediment-water interface on the condition of normal sediment and light treatment, and significantly increased the ammonium efflux during recovery period in the defaunated sediment and dark treatment. The presence of micro-and meiofauna significantly increased the NH4-N flux in dark treatment. Whereas, in light treatment, these small animals had less effects on the DO and NH4-N flux between sediment-water interface. Our results provide better insight into the effect of the mud snail B.exarata on the ecosystem functioning via benthic fluxes.

Energy partitioning and evapotranspiration in a black locust plantation on the Yellow River Delta,China

Plantations of woody tree species play a crucial role in ecological security along coastal zones.Understanding energy partitioning and evapotranspiration can reveal land–atmosphere interaction processes.We investigated energy fluxes,evapotranspiration,and their related biophysical factors using eddy covariance techniques in a black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia L.)plantation in 2016,2018,and 2019 on the Yellow River Delta.Downward longwave radiation offsets 84–85%of upward longwave radiation;upward shortwave radiation accounted for 12–13%of downward shortwave radiation.The ratio of net radiation to downward radiation was 18–19%over the three years.During the growing season,latent heat flux was the largest component of net radiation;during the dormant season,the sensible heat flux was the dominant component of net radiation.The seasonal variation in daily evapotranspiration was mainly controlled by net radiation,air temperature,vapor pressure deficit,and leaf area index.Black locust phenology influenced daily evapotranspiration variations,and evapotranspiration was greater under sea winds than under land winds because soil water content at 10-cm depth was greater under sea winds during the day.Seasonal patterns of daily evaporative fraction,Bowen ratio,crop coefficient,Priestley–Taylor coefficient,surface conductance,and decoupling coefficient were mainly controlled by leaf area index.The threshold value of daily surface conductance was approximately 8 mm sover the plantation.

Acceptability of Bush Meat as a Source of Animal Protein in Delta State, Nigeria: Implication for Extension Services

The study examined the acceptability ofhnsh meat to Deltans. The specific objectives were to ascertain the consumption pattern of bush meat; identify the major types of bush meat consumed in the area; determine the likely constraints to bush meat consumption; and stipulate the extension implication of the findings. A systematic sampling technique was used to compose a sample size of 410 respondents. Data used for this study were collected using well structured interview schedule and data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, percentages, means and standard deviation, and inferential statistics （linear regression model）. The result of the study indicated that almost all the respondents （402） representing about 98% was formally consuming bush meat. The findings also revealed that as many as 323 individuals, representing 78.8% of the respondents did not consume bush meat currently. Only about 12.7% and 8.5% occasionally and regularly consumed bush meat respectively. It was therefore very obvious that people no longer consumed bush meat in Delta state as before. The results further indicated that the predominant bush meat consumed in the area were cane rat （97.70%） and the African giant snails （Achatina and Archachatina） （94.25%）. The result of the multiple regression analyses indicated that the coefficient for education （X3）, income （Xs）, Ebola （X6） and availability of game （XT） were significant at 5%, indicating that these variables were important factors influencing the consumption of bush meat in the study area. However, the coefficients of education level and Ebola factor were negative and significant, suggesting respondents with higher education and aware of Ebola disease were not likely to consume bush meat. As the result, it was concluded that bush meat was now almost unacceptable due to several factors like dread of Ebola disease, unavailability of game, educational level and income, which significantly affected the consumption of bush meat. It was therefore recommended among others that extension delivery services on how to domesticate game species should be available to farmers.

Delta助力南京新城总部大楼智能化建设

近日，Delta将服务于南京新城总部大厦智能化建设，ORCA楼宇自控系统将应用于其中，助力将其打造为5A级智能化写字楼，为业主营造出现代化、科技化、高舒适度、绿色节能于一体的办公环境的同时，实现大厦的智能化、绿色化管理，提高楼宇自子系统的运行效率，降低能耗成本。新城总部大厦由A、B座两幢塔楼和各自的裙楼组成，总建筑面积约40万m2。

Delta助力盱眙苏宁电器生活广场智能化建设

日前，Delta签约盱眙苏宁电器生活广场智能化项目，针对苏宁生活广场内的机电设备运行状况和能耗情况，为其提供ORCA楼宇自控系统和能源管理平台，助力该广场的智能化和节能建设。

Delta荣膺“中国楼控市场十大优秀品牌”殊荣

近日，“第二届建筑电气及智能化节能技术发展论坛”活动在北京新疆大厦举行。会上揭晓了中国智能建筑电气行业2013年度楼宇自控系统优秀品牌，Delta凭借优秀的产品性能和秀质的服务质量，再度被授予“建筑设备监控及管理系统十大优秀品牌”和“最佳用户满意度品牌”两项殊荣。

Delta助力鞍山市奥体中心节能建设

日前，Delta成功为全运会主体育场“鞍山市奥体中心”提供楼宇自控系统和服务，助力实现优化设备运行，降低能耗和运营成本。

Delta连续8年荣获“楼宇自控十大品牌奖”

12月3日，随着2015年第十六届中国国际建筑智能化峰会的落幕，中国智能建筑品牌奖揭晓。加拿大Delta再次荣获“2015年度楼宇自控十大品牌奖”，此次已是第8次获得此项殊荣。Delta一直致力于楼宇控制系统和楼宇节能领域的创新和应用，目前相继为20多个城市的重大医疗、商业广场和酒店项目提供楼宇自控系统、照明系统等服务。

Delta ORCA楼宇自控系统荣获2012年度优质产品奖

2013年6月，中国自动化学会智能建筑与楼宇自动化专业委员会2012年专委会年会暨年度工作总结表彰大会在北京工业大学建筑与城市规划学院报告厅召开。会上揭晓了“2012年度全国建筑设备监控系统优质产品”。Delta ORCA楼字自控系统凭借优秀的开放性和优异的产品性能，荣获“2012年度优秀产品奖”。

Delta荣获2014智能建筑十大品牌

1月22日，2014年度中国智能建筑行业产品系统品牌企业颁奖大会暨2015年中国智能建筑行业高峰论坛在北京举行。