HOW CAN MOBILE DEVICES ASSIST IN SOIL MONITORING AND PROTECTION? | Author : Cioru?a Bogdan-Vasile, Coman Mirela | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Mobile devices have recently acquired new values (after 2015), being integrated into almost
all areas of activity. Environmental protection activities are no exception to this rule. As such, in this
paper, we aim to see to what extent mobile devices can assist in the field of soil monitoring and
protection. Thus, starting from the consultation of the specialized literature (from the last 10 years),
we set out to identify the aspects aimed at monitoring and protecting the soils that mobile devices can
integrate through the components, functionalities, and internal sensors they have. We also set out to
explore the functionalities that application development platforms attribute to mobile applications.
Research results have shown that there is a well-defined set of components, features, and sensors that
can be integrated into mobile device-specific applications to assist in soil monitoring and protection
activities. Consequently, mobile devices can be seen and used as a means of acquiring, storing, and
disseminating data, information, and knowledge on the environmental factor of the soil, sustainable
land use, and the practice of systematic farming. |
| RESTORING THE GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM HEALTH THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH | Author : Mahmood Khan Yousufi | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The harmful human acts in recent years have caused serious reactions on the ecosystem. It has
caused serious implications on the three crucial components of the ecosystem i.e. soil, air and water.
The rapid industrialization has led to release of harmful effluents in the ecosystem. The release of
harmful industrial pollutants in air, water and soil is causing climate change and studies depict that
there is a steep global rise in temperature of one degree Celsius. Various efforts around the globe are
made to handle this critical situation of ecosystem damage. Artificial intelligence or machine
learning is one such modern-day tool, which is proving to be an effective means to handle the current
critical crisis on ecosystem health. In this investigation, it is being studied whether artificial
intelligence is proving to be effective in combating ecosystem damage. The conclusion of the study
reveals that artificial intelligence or machine learning is proving to be quite effective in restoring
global ecosystem health. |
| ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IMPACTING LAKE BOSOMTWE | Author : Owusu-Boateng Godfred, Sarpong Kofi, Agyemang Thomas Kwaku, Ampofo-Yeboah Akwasi | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The communities in the Bosomtwe basin depend on Lake Bosomtwe for their livelihoods.
However, the lake has continued to experience human-driven degradation in recent times, partly
attributed to lack of understanding of the communities’ perception of the environment. This situation
challenges policies and management strategies aimed for conservation of the lake. We conducted a
survey of the main anthropogenic perturbations of the lake, the level of awareness of the communities
of anthropogenic interventions and their effects on lake health, and the effectiveness of its management
practices using a structured questionnaire administered to 350 respondents. Data were analyzed using
non-parametric Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U-tests. Crop farming, fishing, fish mongering,
animal rearing, timber harvesting, hospitality operations, washing, other trades, and illegal mining
were the anthropogenic interventions of the most devastating consequence, promoted by a low level of
education and environmental awareness. Although the regards for directives of the traditional
authority to govern the lake declined subtly, the situation is worsening due to inadequate resources for
the Bosomtwe District Assembly, the government agency responsible for coordinating the activities of
stakeholders of the lake and providing an effective decision-making basis for its conservation. The
results, which have direct practical implications for water management, suggest the need for well-
coordinated policies and strategies for law enforcement and education of basin communities on the
causes and effects of lake degradation. |
| SCREENING OF FUNGAL STRAINS ISOLATED FROM ALGERIAN SOIL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF EXTRACELLULAR ENZYMES | Author : Gahfif Ouahiba, Souagui Yasmina, Djoudi Ferhat, Zerroug Amina, Azzouz Zahra, Boucherba Nawel, Moussi Kenza, Benallaoua Said, Kecha Mouloud, Bettache Azzeddine | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The transition to the exploitation of renewable energies has become an essential objective for
the Algerian government. Algeria must consider switching to the green economy which is the solution
to meet future energy needs and at the same time reduce the risks related to the environment.
Filamentous fungi synthesize a variety of hydrolytic enzymes. Several species are used for the
production of industrially important enzymes, such as different proteases and carbohydrase. Forty
fungal isolated from rich soil in organic matter were studied for their ability to produce amylases,
proteases, and keratinase. The strains where organized on the basis of their hydrolytic potential of
starch, casein and chicken feathers. The isolates strains presented enzymatic activity, which was ranked
as follows: amylolytic activity (42 %), proteolytic (33 %) and keratinolytic with (25 %). Some selected
strains that produce high levels of enzymes (amylase, protease and keratinase) grown in submerged
fermentation (SmF) and were quantitatively evaluated. For amylase, maximum enzyme activity (44.67
IU/ml) was found in Aspergillus sp strain BAS2. Penicillium sp strain Bpn3 showed protease activity
of 3.80 IU/ml, then Penicillium sp strain BAS3 showed greater production of keratinase (2.18 IU/ml). |
| EFFECT OF LONG-TERM TILLAGE PRACTICE AND CROPPING ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH AREA OF NIGERIA | Author : Oguche Felix Michael, Musa John Jiya, Otuaro Ebierin Akpoebidimiyen, Kuti Abayomi Ibrahimm, Eze Peter Chukwu, Umunnakwe Victor Chibuzor, Kutigi Ismila Baba | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Agriculture is the bravado of most developing countries like Nigeria; thus, it is the key point
for the existence of those living in the country. This is study is aimed at the effect of long-term tillage
practice and cropping on physicochemical properties of soils in Southern guinea savannah area of
Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from a continuously cropped rice field using the random uniform
grid method at depths between 0 - 15 cm, 15 – 25 cm, 25 - 50 cm and 50 – 75 cm. Samples were
collected in five replicates, mixed and homogenized. Soil samples collected at the 0 - 15 cm, 25 - 50 cm
depth were Sandy clay loam while those of 15 - 25 cm and 50 - 75 cm depths are sandy clay and sandy
loam. The soil hydraulic conductivity for the zone of 25 to 50 cm had values ranging between 0.23 and
1.51 cm/hr. while the fourth zone considered had values ranging between 0.49 and 0.77 cm/hr. It was
concluded that the farmers should conduct physical and chemical analysis of the soils they wish to
carryout farming activities to decide the type of fertilizer to be used. |
| QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL PROFILE AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF BROWNEA GRANDICEPS JACQ. (FABACEAE) LEAVES AND STEMS EXTRACTS | Author : González Daisy, Rojas Janne, Visbal Tomas, Morillo Marielba | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol extracts obtained from aerial parts of Brownea
grandiceps Jacq (Fabaceae) were studied to determine the antioxidant and tick control activity. The
qualitative chemical composition showed the presence of sterols in hexane and dichloromethane
extracts of leaves while in methanol extract were observed alkaloids, sterols, polyphenols, tannins, and
flavonoids. Furthermore, hexane extract of stems revealed the presence of terpenes; dichloromethane
extract showed sterols whereas methanol extract exhibited the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols,
tannins, and flavonoids. On the other hand, phenolic compounds were observed in methanol extract of
leaves and stems of this species with values of 0.888 and 0.886 µg GAE/mg of extract, respectively.
Regarding the scavenging capacity measured the by DPPH method, methanol extracts of leaves and
stems showed the highest value at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL with percentages of inhibition (% I) of
89.2 and 88.9 respectively. However, a much lower activity was observed with hexane extract of the
leaves with a % I of 20.1 at the same concentration. Regarding inverse of effective concentration assay,
methanol extract of leaves and stems showed values of 10.0 and 7.14 mL/mg. In addition, methanol
extracts of leaves and stems of B. grandiceps did not show activity on the larvae of Riphicephalus
microplus.
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| HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF A RURAL MULTIPURPOSE STREAM, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA | Author : Anyanwu Emeka Donald, Adetunji Onyinyechi Gladys, Ezekiel Ndidiamaka Ifeoma, Alexander Rita Ngozi | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The heavy metal concentrations of a rural multipurpose stream in South-east Nigeria were
evaluated between May 2021 and October 2021 in 3 stations. The non-carcinogenic health risk
assessment was used to check the water’s suitability for human consumption, swimming and wadding.
Eight heavy metals were assessed using standard methods and the Nigerian Drinking Water Quality
Standard was used as standard. The concentrations were zinc (0.07 - 0.52 mg/l), copper (0.04 – 0.19
mg/l), manganese (0.04 - 0.31 mg/l), lead (0.01 - 0.09 mg/l), nickel (0.01 - 0.05 mg/l), chromium (0.02
- 0.11 mg/l), iron (0.10 and 0.91 mg/l) and cadmium (0.01 and 0.07 mg/l). Some metals (manganese,
lead, iron, cadmium, nickel and chromium) exceeded acceptable limits. The hazard indices (HI) for
oral exposure was 3.34 – 3.96 (adult) and 4.29 – 5.69 (children) while for dermal exposure, it was 0.96
– 1.10 (Adult) and 0.93 – 1.17 (children). The HI values were higher than 1 except for HIdermal (adult
and children) in station 3. The heavy metal concentrations and health risk assessment has shown that
the water from this multipurpose rural stream was not fit for human consumption, swimming or
wadding. This conclusion was based on the high concentrations of manganese, lead, iron, cadmium,
nickel and chromium, which exceeded limits but cadmium was responsible for the adverse health risk
observed. The children were more susceptible. The health risk involved in consuming water from this
stream was high in all the stations and should be discouraged. On the other hand, there was a moderate
health risk for swimming and wadding in stations 1 and 2 and none in station 3 which was considered
negligible. Geogenic influence was a major factor but was influenced by season and anthropogenic
activities (especially agriculture) in the stream. |
| BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CULEX PIPIENS PIPIENS (CULICIDAE, DIPTERA): AN EFFECT OF BACILLUS SPHAERICUS RECULTIVATION AND STORAGE ON MOSQUITOES | Author : Sellami Nadjette Laouabdia, Asloum Abdelmadjid Yagoub, Benhissen Saliha, Hedjouli Zakaria, Bounadji Siham, Habbachi Waffa | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :This study is conducted to make a commercial suspension in Algeria in replacement to the
harmful and expensive insecticide several morphological and biochemical features were done to
identify Bacillus sphaericus in the commercial suspension of Solvay & Cie (Brussels). It was found
negative in most of the following tests Voges Proskauer, mannitol mobility, Amidon hydrolysis,
conversion of glucose and galactose to acids, and respiratory type. It was also able to grow at 65°C
and it was resistant to Streptomycin, bacitracin, and susceptible tonchomycin. Five recultivation from
one culture to a new medium showed a loss of toxicity (23 times) to L1 and L2. Culex pipiens pipiens.
In the course of three months of storage, for the stock solutions kept at +4 and at -18 °C, the
poisonous potential of B. sphaericus, which was grown only once on MBS-tryptose from the commercial
suspension, changes between 80 and 123 times. When compared to an emulsion frozen in glycerin, the
toxicity of B. sphaericus held at +4 °C is often found to be more stable, especially over the last two
weeks. In comparison to the larvicidal activity of the solution held at +4 °C, between the second and
the twelfth week, the resistance of the solution stored at -18 °C has deteriorated over a two-week period
by a factor of 2.5 to 6. B. sphaericus was only once grown on MBS-tryptose from the commercial
suspension and has a variable toxic potential each toxicity test was repeated 3 times with controlled
experiments.
These experiments were executed in 2015 at Annaba university applied neuroendocrinology
laboratory. These series of experiments were executed in 2015 at Annaba university labs. basically to
study the effectiveness of B. sphaericus bacteria after the recultivation and the influence of the
conservation of it under two temperatures +4 °C and -18 °C to counter Culex pipiens pipiens.
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