Abstract

LJSREST Vol 3 Issue 2

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to investigate the batch removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions using marine dried brown seaweed S. baccularia. Seaweed was used as a low-cost adsorbent. The effects of pH, contact time, temperature, shaking speed and the concentration of the Pb2+ solution were examined in the biosorption process with S. baccularia. The results showed that when S. baccularia was used as the bioadsorbent, the optimum pH, Pb2+ concentration, equilibrium time, temperature, and shaking speed were 3, 20 ppm, 120 min, 30°C, and 120rpm. The equilibrium adsorption data are fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model. The separation factor (RL) in the experiment was less than one (<1), indicating that the adsorption of metal ions on Sargassum baccularia adsorbent is favorable. The calculated activation energy (Ea) implies that the adsorption of Pb (II) on brown seaweed is a physical adsorption. Thermodynamic results show that adsorption occurs spontaneously in nature.

Abstract

The Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a common shrub widespread in the Mediterranean. Its fruit and leaves have antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties, and are used for their content of essential oils; however, most commonly used is as an ingredient in locally made juice. The uncontrolled exploitation of Myrtle has reduced both the species geographical coverage and the size of individual populations. This study was selected to investigate the ethnobotanical of M. communis and to identify the main reasons for their folk uses, methods of uses and their geographical distribution in the Al Jabal Al Akhdar area, Libya. Also, an experiment was carried out to determine the allelopathic, as an ecological process in regulating plant population in ecosystems, the potential of plant parts by which may other plants be affected. Such volatile substances released from Myrtle leaves for controlled cultivation requires a characterization present both within and between populations. The use of Myrtle as a flavouring agent and stomachic is 90% and 10.9%, respectively. The plant use was also recorded for Diabetes (60%), Anti-septic, Blood purification and Constipation (6.6%). Our results of allelopathic on germination and growth bioassay experiment demonstrated that germination percentage of Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum (Recipient Species) was significant (P ≤ 0.05). The germination percentage decreased with the increase in Myrtus communis Leaves Aqueous Extract (MCLAE) concentration. Shoot Length, Root Length also decreased with the increase in the extract concentration, whereas the reverse was true for Seedling Dry Weight increased with the increase of MCLAE concentration.

Abstract

Acrylamide (ACR) is a widespread industrial chemical with recognized adverse effects not only to humans but to other organisms in the environment as well, Acrylamide forms during the heating of starchy foods at high temperature, and is regarded as a potential genotoxic carcinogen. However, with the worldwide concern about the carcinogenicity of ACR, how to reduce the toxicity of ACR has become a hot research topic. In this study, albino rats were divided into three groups; control rats, rats treated with acrylamide and rats treated with ACR and Vit C. Results revealed that significant changes were observed in immunological parameters where there was no significant decrease (P > 0.05) in level of TNF-α in rats treated with ACR,there significant increase in the mean level of- TNF-α in rats treated with ACR, treated with Vit C, and there was significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in level of IL-17in rats treated with acrylamide there significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the mean level of IL-17 in rats treated with ACR, treated with Vit C with compared with control group , Therefore, our investigation revealed that Vit C appeared to be a promising agent for protection against ACR -induced toxicity. This study aims to clarify the therapeutic role of Vit C to avoid exposure to ACR, which can come from several sources, and the role of Vit C in influencing some indicators of immunity in the body.

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyse groundwater quality for irrigation purpose in Mitrid City. Fifteen samples from different sites of selected study area were collected and analysed for major anions and cations. The suitability of the groundwater for irrigation were evaluated based on the TDS, EC, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Kelly’s Ratio (KI), Sodium Percentage (Na%), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) and Permeability Index (PI). The calculated parameters show that the majority of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation uses. According to the Gibbs diagram, groundwater in the study area is dominated by evaporation followed by rock–water interaction process. Also the Wilcox diagram classify the groundwater as good to doubtful category. Generally, the groundwater in the study area is good for irrigation purposes.

Abstract

Environmental pollution in all it,s forms is the reason of the destruction of the vital component on the surface of the Eart, This is in addition to its harmful effects on public health and visual pollution ys one of the most important forms of pollution that third world countries suffer from it, Especialy with the increase in technical, industrial, and civilized progress, this is in addition to the growing population, As well as lack of environmental awareness and poor behavior in preserving the environment, and the absence of legal deterrment to limii environmental damage. The city of Sebha (southwest Libya) is among the cities that suffer from visual environmental pollution, As this city was affected by the deteriorating in the political, economic, social and service condition. Which lead to the loss of aesthetic, artistic and visual aspects of this city. This study attempts to monitor the manifestations if visual pollution and determaine their causes through viewing "observational study" this was done using a digital camera. (DCc540) , to determine the extent of this phenomenon and the extent of its danger to the environment and human life. This study also aimed to develop suggestions to improve that aesthetic and visual image in line with the nature of the city, and the general culture of its residents. Through this study, it was concluded that the phenomenon of visual pollution is extremely danagerous at all levels, whether visual pollution is physical, such as poor urban design and the inconsistency of modern building with old ones and large reduction in green areas or behavioral visual pollution: such as randomly spreading rubbish bins and heaps of rubbish outside, them in addition to the presence of old dilapidated cars between the roads and residential neighborhood, also among those manifestations is the presence of trucks loaded with goods that are not appearance. Not to mention the randomly installed air conditioners on the walls of buildings and paint the buildings in different colors, other than that, there are many improper behavioral manifestations resulting from lack of awareness. This study concluded with a number of recommendations related to the problem under study and suggested appropriate solution to solve it.

Abstract

This study had been conducted in the College of Environment – Mosul University and the College of Education – Tikrit University which included a field survey to estimate some physical and chemical characteristics of water. Also, it is used to estimate some heavy metals. The field survey started on April 2008 till March 2009 where four sites of wells’ water were chosen within Al-Mahalabia area. Water samples were taken from these sites monthly to identify some its physical characteristics such as (water temperature and electrical conductivity ) and some chemical characteristics (pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, BOD5, total alkalinity, calcium and magnesium hardness, nitrate, phosphate, chlorides ). The results referred to an increase of EC and TH. for all studied sites, Also, the results indicated that pH values were inclining to alkalinity in all studied sites, and these metals’ values increased significantly in wells’ water sites.

Abstract

Cosmetic and skin care industry has evolved dramatically in the recent years. There are enormous brands of such products in which the hair coloring and henna products are considered the most common product used widely within Libya market by both males and females. This paper discusses the lead (Pb) content in six hair coloring and henna brands and their effect on hair and human body. The results showed concentration range < 0.005-3.043 µg/g. The upper lead content is detected in Compagnia Del hair color brand and the lowest lead content is detected in Royal henna all results were within the permissible limits 20 µg/g.

Abstract

Monthly results using Berlese funnels showed differences in population density of micro-fauna associated with Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Pinus halepensis and the climatic factors at Al Naser forest, Tripoli for a total of 120 samples of leaf litter 2009. Total annual of micro-fauna density was 119,770 individuals /15 cm / m³ thickness of leaf litter. Results revealed that population number of collembola was effective in disintegrating and breaking leaf litter, mites as predators, fungi, and bacteria leaf litter breaking down. The study was divided into two periods. (1) May - October, showed mean abundance of mites was 24.8, collembola 42, and the other micro-fauna 100 individuals /15 cm /m³ thickness of leaf litter respectively. (2) November - April, showed mean abundance of mites was 95, collembola 135, and the other micro-fauna group 100 individuals /15 cm/ m³ thickness of leaf litter respectively. Significant differences were found at the 0.001 level and in Duncan test at 0.001 level between January and other months. All the data biological, chemical and physical factors affecting biodiversity of arthropods leaf litter of eucalyptus and pine in Al-Nasr Forest in Tripoli were presented. The study recommends considering the importance of identifying, classifying, and biological diversity of micro-fauna associated with leaf litter as important environmental indicators and sustainability of the forest ecosystem in Libya.

Abstract

This paper estimated cypermethrin residues 32% and abamectin residues 1.8% on three different summer vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, pepper) grown in greenhouses during winter. Health risk indices (DIR, HIR Health Risk Index) were measured for vegetables consumers in the southern regions (Ubari, Wadi Alshatti, Tragen, Wadi Utba). The results revealed that the concentrations of cypermethrin residues exceeded the permissible limits in studied vegetables except the zucchini, and the highest concentrations were detected in eggplant (4.71 μg/g) followed by pepper (1.15 μg/g). The residues of abamectin also exceeded the permissible limits in all vegetables, the highest was eggplant (1.65 μg/g), followed by pepper (1.22 μg/g), finally zucchini (0.69 μg/g). Data also showed that the highest daily consumption rate for cypermethrin and abamectin was in the Ubari region, especially in eggplant fruits, i.e., 0.1325 and 0.0075 g/day, respectively. With regard to the risk indicator for the presence of pesticides in question in studied vegetables, the approach of the health risk index is dangerous (0.5) in the Wadi-Alshati area and very dangerous (0.6) in the Ubari region due to zucchini consumption accordance to FAO standards (1). Lies in the accumulation of these compounds within the human body and lack in awareness of farmers and greenhouse labor is an important in prohibition period, which is considered an opportunity to break, fly or dispose of a large part of these residues before they reach consumers. Consumers should be alerted to this and to reduce the consumption of greenhouse products to prevent the circulation and use of these dangerous pesticides.

Abstract

Consumers are reacting with water quality problems by using household wells, which is the only water source available in this city. Therefore, this study was conducted in Sabratha city with the major objective of assess suitability of groundwater quality for drinking purposes through water quality index (WQI) investigations. Water samples were collected from (48 wells) in different locations of the city by using GPS to locate the coordinates of wells in May 2016. For calculating WQI, eleven parameters have considered such as: EC, pH , TDS , 〖Cl〗^-, 〖HCO〗_3^- , 〖SO〗_4^(-2) , 〖NO〗_3^- , 〖Ca〗^(+2) , 〖Mg〗^(+2), 〖Na〗^(+ ) , K^+. The suitability of groundwater in the study area for human consumption purpose is achieved by WQI according to the guideline values of Libyan Standard Specifications (2011). The results showed that the water quality index for wells samples were varying from unsuitable to good, only seven wells, the water quality coefficient values were good for drinking.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the medicinal and aromatic plants in AL Ghyran park. (semi-natural mountainous grasslands field).. The survey involved collecting information on available plant species, . Eighteen plant species that belong to 8 families were identified (Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae, Geraniaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceace and Rutaceace). Dominant families in this study were Lamiaceae (55%), Results indicated that 44% of the plant species were medicinal plants, 56% were for Aromatic plant species. The most widespread and prevalent plants in the study sites were as follows: Ruta graveolens L., Verbena tenuisecta Briq, Salvia officinalis L., Cupressus sempervirens L., Mentha piperita L., and these plants were found in all study sites.

Abstract

The current study was conducted in the water ecosystem of Lake Hajjar - southern Libya, where this artificial lake was designed in the mid-1980s for the purpose of using it as an oxidation lake and a filtering of wastewater treated in the first stage of Sebha, as a kind of water rationing in desert areas. The lake has an area of 25 hectares and depths between 1-5 meters. With the aim of identifying the current environmental situation by studying the overall physiochemical properties of the water, the results showed that the lake water tends to be neutral (6.29 - 7.38), low in salinity (2.27 - 2.51 dS / m) and with relatively low concentrations of phosphorus (mg/L 4.87 - 5.63) and nitrogen (mg/L 4.54-6.41). It is also evident that the ecosystem has reached the stage of the reed-swamp stage as an advanced stage of the ecological succession in which the stalk plant, which has a high competitiveness under the environmental conditions of the medium, is prevalent and is characterized by its pox system strongly installed in the sediment layer around the lake and the presence of rhizome stems that help in the process. The different sedimentation and thus caused the decrease of the lake depth and the appearance of its bottom and partial exposure to the atmosphere.

Abstract

Groundwater is considered as the main resources in most of arid and semi-arid areas; such as Libya, especially in the southern part where the only water resource is available is groundwater for all activities, agricultural activities the most important activity in the region. So that, the water quality evaluation for irrigation becomes more important. In this paper, water samples from several water wells in wadi Al-Shati were collected and analyzed. The results showed that, all the water samples classified as high salinity and low sodium, depending on U.S Salinity Laboratory Classification, which mean it have to be used carefully, even with a high soil infiltration rate. While FAO index classification showed different effects on soils from using this waters.