This study investigated the effects of two mostly improvised chemical additives, calcium carbide and lambda super 2.5 EC (LSEC), on the physico–chemical and microbial characteristics of faecal sludge from toilets. The quality of faecal sludge was assessed before and after application of the chemical additives in an experimental setup of ten different treatment units including a control, and treatment replicates. The initial characteristic of the faecal sludge was slightly acidic with high content of slowly degradable organic matter. The experimental control without additives after 30 days showed reduction in BOD
5
, COD, helminth eggs and sludge mass by a maximum of 30%, 34.7%, 99.8% and 55% respectively. Similarly, calcium carbide additive reduced the BOD
5
, COD, helminth eggs and the mass of the faecal sludge by 47.4%, 48.3%, 99.6% and 61% respectively. Also, LSEC additive reduced BOD
5
, COD, helminth eggs and the mass of the sludge by 40.6%, 47.9%, 95.9% and 58% respectively. The two additives showed significant treatment effect on the faecal sludge although the level of treatment could not meet the regulatory discharge limits for the key quality parameters assessed including sanitisation. The study is still a grey area and more research is recommended to enrich the findings.
Background:
The destruction of vegetation cover is among the main factors contributing to climate variation. The study investigated the distribution of trees, shrubs and herbs in the mined and unmined communities of Bontefufuo namely: Esaase, Manhyia, Aboabo and Mpatuam. The research was intended to determine the relationship between the spatial distribution of vegetation, composition and examine the effects of vegetation loss in the area. A total of forty 40 plots (10 m x 10 m) were studied. In each community, five (5) plots were studied each for mined and unmined areas.
Results:
The mean numbers of plant population were determined and analyzed using ANOVA. There were significant differences among the tree, shrub and herb populations at P < 0.05. The number of shrubs and trees population was reduced in the mined areas in relation to the areas that are not mined. Herbs were overwhelming within the mined regions and were found to be much higher than within the unmined regions. Photographic images showed that the practices of illicit small-scale mining contributed to land destruction by compacting the topsoil and accumulation of laterites.
Conclusion:
Climate change issues still remain a global concern and vegetation cover which plays an imperative role in regulating the carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere should be restored.
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