AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES

Assessment of the Physicochemical Properties of Water in Tin Mining Ponds on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria: Prospect for Municipal Clean Water Supply

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The global problem in water resources management is finding new and reliable sources of water. The utility of water is limited by its quality and accessibility, which makes it suitable or unsuitable for a variety of uses. Assessment of water quality is therefore an important aspect of water resource evaluation. Various analytical procedures were used to analyze the appearance, taste, electric conductivity, temperature, turbidity, color, odor, pH, total hardness, total alkalinity, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na) chloride (Cl), fluoride (F), nitrate (NO2), microbial, cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (Ar) contents, which were all measured during the dry season. The results were compared with water quality standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Based on these findings, the appearance, color, taste, odor, electrical conductivity, turbidity, iron (Fe), lead (Pb), arsenic (Ar), total coliform and E. coli concentrations are above the WHO and NESREA limits. The utilization of mining ponds for a sustainable water supply offers benefits, including increased water security, minimized environmental impact and reduced water costs. It is recommended that mining ponds undergo proper treatment and further purification before being utilizedfor domestic purposes.

Prioritizing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Farmers in Maijuju, Jos East LGA, Plateau State

Goyol, Simi Sekyen, Ibrahim, Thomas Matthew — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change poses a huge threat to farmers in the world today as on the average, individuals and groups within all societies have insufficient capacity to adapt to climate change. This study aims to investigate “climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Maijuju, Jos East L.G.A. Plateau State” in order to prioritize actions for planning against climate change impacts. Quantitative data was obtained using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 farmers through the random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics from Likert scale measurement were used to analyze farmers’ perceptions of climate change, quantify impacts of climate change and identify adaptation strategies to climate change. Data obtained was subject to analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results presented in descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages. Findings reveal that increase in temperature, late onset of rains, early cessation, and off-seasonal rainfall caused loss of crops, pests and diseases which resulted in food insecurity in Maijuju. Adaptation strategies taken by the farmers to mitigate the climatic effects on their farms are adjustments of planting dates, using different crop varieties, adoption of drought tolerant and early maturing crop varieties, application of agro-chemicals, fertilizer usage and application of animal manure among others. It is recommended that further effort towards complementing local adaptation strategies should be considered as this will positively influence priorities for adaptation actions.

Spatio-Temporal Change in Land Use, Land Cover and Land Surface Emissivity in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Courage Onyeka Anyokwu, Toju Francis Balogun — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Land use-land cover changes are adjudged as major drivers of climate change. They determine the level of Land Surface Emissivity and the consequent thermal conditions. This study examined the impacts of land use land cover change on land surface emissivity of Benin City between 1991 and 2021. It employed a geospatial technique for the data acquisition and spatial analysis. The result showed a Spatio-temporal change in urban land uses which led to a remarkable loss in vegetal cover. The trend of depletion in vegetation and changes in land uses was followed by a rise in urban land surface emissivity. Thus, there was a corollary between change in land use land cover and land surface emissivity. Within the period,water body increased by 0.0088 Km2, the built-up area increased by 34.4587 Km2 while cultivated area and vegetation reduced by 2.0413 Km2 and 29.0069 km2 respectively. Findings also revealed a steady rise in LSE within the period from a range of 0.975-0.987µm in 1991 to 0.986-0.987µm in 2006 and 0.986-0.988µm in 2021. By implication, there was a progressive increase in the land surface emissivity due to changes in land use land cover within the study period. Hence, urban land use land cover dynamics lends credence to urban land surface emissivity which is a precursor to several ecological problems. It becomes necessary to adopt relevant mitigations like afforestation, use of low thermal emissive materials and effective urban planning to curb the emissions.

Effects of Climatic Elements Variability on Surface Water in Selected Catchment Areas in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Danbaba Goma, Shaibu M. Hassan, Ishaya Sunday — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In Kaduna State Nigeria, the climate in recent years has witnessed significant variability across the various catchment areas due to population pressure and anthropogenic activities. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the relationship between climatic elements on surface water in selected catchment areas in Kaduna State. The Meteorological data for the study were sourced from twelve remotely sensed stations around Kaduna State for thirty-seven years and Hydrological data from the State’s Water Board (KSWB) for thirty-seven years. The data computation, relationship between climate variability and water resources were established using Structural Equation Model (SEM) which has the statistical power to find the relationship between a phenomenon and other related parameters. Findings revealed that climatic variables have no significant impact on the water level across the three catchment areas of Galma, Kaduna Central and Amere/Mada since none of climatic variables have a significant effect which culminated to a negative water level in the catchment area but both rainfall and solar radiation have a positive relationship with water level which give rise to positive water level in the catchment area. Therefore, water resources availability in the catchment areas will not be under stressed by climate variation. The large amount of available water during the rainy season; crop varieties that can withstand much water should be planted in areas of high rainfall; and government policies related to agriculture and water resources development should be based on increase in rainfall and water resources trends in Kaduna State.

A Classification and Analysis of Metal Content of some Irrigated Crops in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State

Joyce Adams, Emmanuel A. Olowolafe, Daniel D. Dabi — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study focuses on the identification of irrigated crops in southern Kaduna. It further classified and tested the heavy metal content of the selected crops. In other to achieve this aim, observation, interview, and laboratory analysis of the identified irrigated crops were carried out. This was done based on recognized irrigation sites in southern Kaduna, that is Saminaka, Ashafa, Kachia, and Kogum rivers. Results revealed that there are seventeen irrigated crops identified in the study area, which are made up of cereals, fruits, root crops, vegetables and perennial grass. These are mainly cultivated for commercial purpose, and the number of farmers cultivating each crop type have been identified as well as the cropping calendar for irrigated crops in the area. The study also relate that vegetables are the most dominant irrigated crops cultivated in the study area. The study further classified these crops into low, moderate, and high water intake crops based on their rate of water need. The classified crops were further selected for laboratory analysis to test for the concentration of heavy metals. these include spinach, pepper, tomatoes, and sugarcane. These were selected from each of the three classes because they are consumed on a daily basis and in large quantities in the study area. The laboratory analysis results show high concentration of the tested heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Cd) in the crops, that is the heavy metals are above the permissible limit of 40mg/kg-1 (Cu), 0.2mg/kg-1 (Cd), and 0.3mg/kg-1 (Pb), thus, concentration level of these metals ranged from Cu > Pb> Cd. These findings imply that the water and soil used for the cultivation and watering of the crops are polluted. Finally, suggestions were given on how to improve and manage the river water resources available to us for sustainable irrigation practices in southern Kaduna.

Contributions of Rusphin Programme to Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (Kap) to Sanitation and Hygiene in Gwer LGA, Benue State

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study assessed the contributions of RUSPHIN Programme to knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of sanitation and hygiene among the people of Gwer LGA of Benue State. The study adopts a survey design. A total of 381 samples determine by Taro Yamene’s formula were drawn from the population of 7,994 households using purposive sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics including frequency, tables and percentages were used to present and analyse the data. Findings of the study showed that; there was a significant improvement in the level of KAP on sanitation and hygiene among the rural people after the implementation of the RUSHPIN Programme with only 1.8 % still practicing open defecation as against 83.7% who were engaged in the act before the implementation of the RUSHPIN programme. Strategies such as enactment of bye laws and frequent monitoring visits to the rural communities were put in place to help sustain the programme in the study area. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the standard of hygiene and sanitation in the study area is satisfactory but for a few issues such as lack of awareness of linkage between sanitation and personal hygiene, and water supply. The study thus recommends among others that efforts be geared towards the periodic assessment of the knowledge, attitude and practice of sanitation and hygiene at the household level. Particularly in the rural areas where basic and improved sanitation coverage is inadequate. As well as interventions by government and or international organizations through ensuring good sanitation and hygiene practice in the rural areas.

Assessment of Urban Flood in Kaduna Metropolis

Jeremiah A. Salifu, Augustine C. Eziashi, Daniel D. Dabi — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Kaduna metropolis has witnessed flood events since the early 1980’s. This has caused damage to life, property and infrastructure as well as loss of lives. Global climate change and rapid urbanization has increased flood events in the metropolis. Communities within the metropolis have encroached into the flood plains of Kaduna River thereby exposing them to flood hazards resulting to direct and indirect impacts on the community. An objective description of the present flood situation in Kaduna metropolis was undertake to determine the prevailing flood situation and the cause(s) of floods in the metropolis. Data for this study were obtained from field observations and measurements, satellite imageries, interviews and focus group discussions. Secondary data of rainfall and temperature record of Kaduna metropolis obtained from national Bureau of Statistics and flood incidences in the metropolis from Kaduna State Environmental protection Agency were reviewed. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were employed for this study. Data was analyzed using descriptive method of frequency distributions and map displays. Findings indicate that communities close to the Kaduna River are at a high risk of continuous devastating impact of floods as a result of continuous development in the flood plains of the Kaduna river. There is also an increase in rainfall volume from year 2004 (115mm) to year 2014 (169.5mm) indicating this as a major cause of fluvial floods. Anthropogenic activities of development into the flood plains, indiscriminate dumping of refuse in storm water channels, concreting of surfaces, laying of tarmacs, erosion of soil into the river channel, removal of vegetation for industrial, commercial, recreational and residential use enhanced flood incidences in the metropolis. It is recommended that government should focus more on measures such as restriction of development into the flood plains, sensitization and awareness of the dangers of encroachment into the flood plain and relocation of community members that are within the flood prone areas. These measures in addition to others will assist in tackling the menace of flood in the metropolis.