Polish Journal of Natural Sciences

Environmental Monitoring of Air Pollutants in the Vicinity of Major Granite Mining and Processing Sites in Abuja, Nigeria

2025-07-14T12:46:48+00:00

This study assessed air quality in the vicinity of two major granite mining and processing sites in Abuja, Nigeria, focusing on particulate matter (PM_1.0, PM_2.5, PM₁₀) and gaseous pollutants (CO, HCHO, TVOC). Measurements were conducted at three points – processing area, staff premises, and entrance/exit – during dry and rainy seasons using calibrated air quality detectors. Data were analyzed for temporal trends and compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS, US EPA) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) limits. Results revealed that particulate matter concentrations were consistently higher at processing points compared to other locations, with PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 exceeding regulatory limits for 24-hour averages in both seasons. Gaseous pollutants were generally low and within permissible limits, though CO showed elevated variability at staff premises and entrance/exit points, likely due to vehicular and equipment emissions. Seasonal comparison indicated higher pollutant levels during the dry season, attributed to intensified quarry activities and reduced atmospheric dispersion. Autocorrelation analysis using ARIMA modelling showed no significant trends between measured and modelled concentrations, suggesting random variability rather than systematic patterns. Although gaseous pollutants were below threshold values, their presence alongside elevated particulate matter underscores cumulative health risks for workers and nearby communities. Continuous monitoring and implementation of dust suppression and emission control strategies are recommended to mitigate occupational and environmental exposure.

BIODIVERSITY CHANGES IN THE IRPIN RIVER WETLANDS FOLLOWING DAM DESTRUCTION DURING DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS IN KYIV, UKRAINE

2026-03-27T14:44:21+00:00

The destruction of a dam on the Irpin River in 2022 resulted in the flooding of over 2,500 hectares of floodplain, representing one of the first documented environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine. This study provides an assessment of early changes in three biotic components – macrophytes, fish, and birds – within the newly formed waterbody. The findings indicate a shift in the ecosystem toward a lentic regime, accompanied by transformations in species composition and habitat structure. A decline in macrophyte species richness, an increase in ichthyofaunal diversity, and the dominance of hydrophilic bird species were observed. In total, 12 species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 5 species included in the European Red List (as Vulnerable or Near Threatened), and 83 taxa protected under the Bern Convention were recorded, underscoring the high conservation value of the study area. These results provide a valuable baseline for assessing how wetland ecosystems respond to military impacts and enable meaningful international comparisons of the impacts of armed conflict on wetlands, particularly in the context of conserving transboundary migratory species.

Carcass Characteristics, Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota of Weaner Rabbits as Influenced by Sex and Feed Types

2026-03-27T14:44:22+00:00

A total of seventy-two (thirty-six males and thirty-six females) weaner rabbits with weight ranging from 790-830 grammes were used to investigate the effect of different feed types on carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaner rabbits. The rabbits were allotted into 8 treatments after weight equalization on the basis of sex and different dietary groups (100% mash, 100% pellet, 50% mash + 50% Sunflower leaf and 50% pellet + 50% Sunflower leaf) in a 2x4 factorial arrangement, with each treatment consisting of 9 rabbits; each treatment was further subdivided into 3 replicates and 3 rabbits per each replicate. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Data collected were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance. Results showed that live and carcass weights were highest in female rabbits fed 100 % pellets (1846.50±89.20 g) and lowest in rabbits fed 100 % mash; dressing percentage, forelimbs and hindlimbs were highest in rabbits fed 100 % mash. Gut morphology showed that duodenum weight (1.62±0.16 %) and length (114.47±17.64 cm), caecum weight, caecum apical width and basal width were highest (p<0.05) in rabbits fed 50% pellet + 50% forage. Ileal villi height was highest (p<0.05) in females offered 100 % mash while males fed 100 % mash had normal intestinal villi. Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter were highest in rabbits fed mixed diet while Escherichia coli was highest in females fed 100 % pellet. The study concluded that feeding 100 % pellet yielded higher live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage while those fed 100 % mash had improved intestinal morphology.

Grain, flour and dough characteristics of organically grown spelt cultivars in relation to bread properties

2026-01-07T12:41:34+00:00

The aim of this study was to evaluate the selected physicochemical parameters of flours and rheological parameters of dough and quality parameters of breads of organically grown spelt cultivars, to evaluate the interrelationship between the analysis results and harvest year, and to describe the relationships between spelt flour quality parameters (explanatory variables, X) and its bread quality parameters (dependent variables, Y). The relationships were examined by partial least square regression (PLS-R) analysis. The PLS-R analysis was extended to PLS-path modelling (PLS-PM). Global goodness of fit for the first two PLS-R components, t1 and t2, were determined at Q2cum= 0.127, and it exceeded the threshold value of 0.0975. Two components were explained as 54.5% and 74.5% of variation in dependent and explanatory variables, respectively. Breads made from cv. Oberkulmer Rotkorn and cv. Ostro received the highest scores in terms of overall quality. The quality of spelt bread was mainly dependent on its grain parameters.