Research Paper

Assessment of Bacteriological Contamination of Hand-Dug Wells in Rural and Urban Areas in Ondo State, Nigeria

Ojo JT, Ojo OM, Olabanji TO, and Aluko RT.

J. Civil Eng. Urban., 13(4): 50-55, 2023; pii:S225204302300007-13

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jceu.2023.7

Abstract

The study analysed the total bacteria, total coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations of ten randomly selected hand-dug groundwater wells: five each from Alagbaka (Urban area) and another five from Ijare communities (Rural area) in Ondo State. Collins and Lyne’s pour plate method was used for the laboratory analysis. The laboratory results showed that 30%, 90% and 0% of the groundwater samples were above the WHO drinking water standards for total bacteria, total coliform and E. coli, respectively. Furthermore, the groundwater samples collected in the urban study area had total bacterial and total coliform mean levels of 24 and 15 cfu/100mL respectively compared to those of the rural study area with mean concentrations of 15 and 5 cfu/100mL, respectively. There was however no E. coli in the groundwater of both areas studies indicating the absence of faecal contamination in groundwater. It can therefore be concluded that there is a higher risk of microbial contamination of groundwater in urban land use than in rural land use and that groundwater in the study areas is unsafe for consumption unless it is first treated with appropriate treatment methods. For future research, the contamination level of other micro-organisms such as fungi, viruses, protozoa etc. should be assessed in study areas, as well the sources of microbial contamination in groundwater.
Keywords: Environmental pollution, water quality assessment, groundwater quality, microbial contamination, urbanization

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Research Paper

Assessment of Rice Husk-Based Activated Carbon as Adsorbent in Domestic Wastewater Treatment

Ojedele MO, Ojo OM, and Abe HA.

J. Civil Eng. Urban., 13(4): 56-64, 2023; pii:S225204302300008-13

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jceu.2023.8

Abstract

Indiscriminate discharge of wastewater into the environment is of utmost concern, especially in developing countries. This study evaluated the efficiency of rice husk based activated carbon in wastewater samples harvested from a students’ hostel and a restaurant within the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The adsorbent used was produced from rice husk using hydrogen tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H₂SO₄) as the activating agent. The aim of this study was to assess rice husk-activated carbon for the reduction of physicochemical parameters such as hardness, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), and heavy metals which include chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). The wastewater samples were treated using activated rice hush ash of particle size (180 µm) at four different doses (30, 35, 40, 45 grams/400 ml). The results showed that the different doses of activated carbon had different removal efficiency. It was observed that the optimum dosage was 40g for DO, COD, BOD, and TDS while 30g was optimum for Hardness. It was also observed that an increase in the concentration of rice husk adsorbent led to an increase in the removal efficiency for the heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Pb, and Fe). The maximum percentage removal of DO, COD, BOD, TDS, and TSS, with rice husk was 21%, 58%, 72%, 21%, and 57% respectively. After the treatment of the domestic wastewater and comparing with the WHO standard, the treated wastewater quality was found to be safe for direct discharge into surface water bodies and irrigation purposes.
Keywords: Rice husk, Adsorption, Activation carbon, Domestic wastewater

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Research Paper

Freight Mode Choice with Public Data from the United States

Eissa T, Mesa-Arango R, Yahia HAM, and Alghamdi S.

J. Civil Eng. Urban., 13(4): 65-84, 2023; pii:S225204302300007-13

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jceu.2023.9

Abstract

This paper investigates the selection of freight modes by shippers that require transportation for their shipments. A discrete choice multinomial logit model is used to understand the connectivity and integration between mode-choice and the regional socioeconomic environment. The 2012 Commodity Flow Survey and United States Census Bureau data are public sources used to estimate the corresponding model. Analytical results indicate that shipment characteristics, commodity and industry types, and regional socioeconomic attributes provide an enhanced representation of the economic linkages that determine mode choice at the regional level. Meaningful discussion and guidance is provided to understand this complex process.
Keywords: Mode choice; commodity flow survey; socioeconomic data; freight transportation.

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