Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research

Hydrocarbon Profile of Oil-Spill-Impacted Soils from Ogoni in Rivers State, Nigeria

Menkiti, Nora Azuka — 2023-03-06

This research examined the total extractable hydrocarbon content comprising of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), total hydrogen carbon (THC) and total organic nitrogen (TON) of an oil-spill-impacted site in Ogoni land, Okenta Alode, Eleme local government area, Rivers state, Nigeria. Sediment samples of crude oil hydrocarbon contaminated soils were randomly collected from different points at the study sites. Samples were collected between 0 - 15cm (surface m level) and 15 - 30cm (in-depth level) with soil auger and thereafter bulked to obtain composite sample. Bio remediated soil, obtained at about 200 m away from the contaminated site was also collected making a total of twelve (12) samples, with the coordinates of the locations recorded with a GPS device. The samples collected in sterile non-reactive polythene bags and transported using icepacks to the laboratory for analyses and the sediments stored at 6°C and extracted within 14 days of collection. The result of the study revealed among others that the oil-spill-impacted sites contain high concentration of TPH, as the highest concentration obtained from the different sites was 298.57 mg/kg and the lowest was 100.80 mg/kg. Also, the in-depth samples contain higher concentrations than the surface level samples, while similar results were also observed for PAHs and THC. The THC values for surface level samples are in the order of P3/S/O2 (129.000 mg/kg) > P5/S/O1 (229.300 mg/kg) > P1/S/O1 (232.200 mg/kg) > P4/S/O1 (256.111 mg/kg) > P2/S/O1 (303.100 mg/kg). The PAHs concentration in the sediment were within the acceptable limits and showed trend of DBA > Chr > BbFL > Ind > BaA > BkFL > Pyr > Fl > Flu > Ant > AcPY > Phen > AcP > NaP. There was no non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk posed to the populace as a result of PAHs contamination. Thus, the result suggest that these sediments may be contaminated with PAHs, TPH and THC and has reduced TON due to hydrocarbon contamination which may reduce plant growth in the study area. It recommends that these contaminations resulting from hydrocarbons be contained to prevent it from resulting to deleterious health effects to the exposed populace.

Green Synthesis of Lead Oxide Nanoparticles, Characterization and Adsorption Study for Removal of Malachite Green Dye

Nuha Y. Elamin — 2023-03-10

In this study lead oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using ecofriendly and non-toxic Morus rubra extract. The obtained lead oxide nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, BET and FTIR techniques. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that synthesized PbO nanoparticles had crystallite structure of high purity. SEM survey shows that the obtained nanoparticles having in general uniform particle distribution and the particle sizes vary within the range of 22.4 to 29.2nm. As established by EDX to confirm the presence of lead and oxygen, the weight percentage of the latter was (71.5 % Pb and 28.5% O), respectively. FT-IR spectra exhibit a sharp peak at 439.38 and 595.46 cm⁻¹ attributed to PbO vibration, confirming the formation of PbO nanoparticles. The effectiveness of PbO nanostructures for removing indigo carmine (MG) dye from an aqueous solution is demonstrated in this article. , the MG dye uptake and adsorption processes were investigated using a PbO sorbent. The maximum adsorption capacity and contact time were optimized which corresponding to 41.3 mg. g^-1 and 60min respectively.

Photocatalytic Degradation and Kinetics of Dyes in Textile Effluent Using UV – ZnO-Al System

J. F. Effiong — 2023-03-14

This study investigates the photodegradation of a mixture of 4 azo dyes (direct orange 39, chlorantine fast red 5B, viscose black B and direct sky blue K) present in textile effluents and the influence of catalyst dose, irradiation time, UV power intensity on the overall photodegradation kinetics of the process. The photocatalytic experiments were conducted in a batch stirred photoreactor equipped with a 10 W, 30W and 60 UV lamps, magnetic stirrer and thermometer. The photocatalysts used was zinc oxide nanoparticle doped with aluminium (AZO, 15nm, 99.99 to %). The results obtained showed that variation in the physical parameters influenced the efficiency of photodegradation. The kinetic study indicated that the photodegradation of the dyes present in the effluent from the textile industry followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model that is modified to accommodate reactions occurring at a solid-liquid interphase. At the catalyst dose of 0.5g/l, the apparent first order rate constant K¹, was 0.00615 min^-1 but at 2.5g/l it reduced to 0.00567 min^-1. The best degradation was at the catalyst dose of 2.0g/L with the rate constant of 0.0134 min^-1.

Effect of Acetylation on the Physicochemical Properties of Starch Extract from Caladium bicolor

Omuluche, Collins Onyekachi — 2023-03-30

The study reports on the effect of acetylation on the physicochemical parameters of Caladium bicolor starch. The starch was extracted and acetylated using various acetic acid volumes and reaction periods (30, 60, and 90 minutes). Both unmodified and acetylated starches were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and some models. The findings estimated a low amylose content of 16.95%, and amylopectin at 83.05% in unmodified starch. The swelling power was 72.45 (unmodified), and 64.9–68.5 (modified); paste clarity was 2.013 (unmodified), and 1.73–1.91 (modified); gelatinization temperature was 75^oC (unmodified), and 76–78^oC (modified); water binding capacity was 68.6% (unmodified), and 68–92.7% (modified); oil binding capacity was 53.8% (unmodified), and 53.2–92.63% (modified); % acetyl group and degree of substitution were 0.73-3.63 and 0.03-0.13. The FTIR reveals the vibration frequencies of 3283.62 cm^-1, 1018 cm^-1 and 1240 cm^-1affirm the presence of OH, C-O, and CH₃ in the unmodified. Whereas, the prominent peak at 1647.28 cm^-1 assigned to the carbonyl C=O and its increase in intensity and height affirmed the increase in the acetylation of starch molecules. Starch obtained from Caladium bicolor and the acetylated products could be used as glue, thickeners, gelling agents and adhesives for paper products and textile industry.