Browsing by Author "Oziegbe, Olubukola"

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Bioremediation of heavy metals in aquatic environment: A review
(Cleaner Chemical Engineering, 2025) Oziegbe, Olubukola; Oziegbe, Ehitua Julius; Ojo-Omoniyi, Olusola
The pursuit of critical minerals such as lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and rare earth elements (REE) has intensified mining, producing heavy metal waste that contaminates water bodies. Pollution from human activ ities and improper disposal of high-tech products containing heavy metals like Hg, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cr has degraded surface and groundwater. These metals enter the human body via bioaccumulation in the food chain or direct consumption of contaminated water, posing health risks. There is an urgent need for cost-effective, eco- friendly methods to decontaminate water without generating additional pollutants. Conventional remediation technologies are costly and produce hazardous waste requiring disposal. In contrast, biological materials—such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, lichens, algae, and plants—offer affordable, sustainable solutions for water decontamination. Moreover, metal-rich biomass from bioremediation processes, like cyanoremediation, can be converted into valuable products, such as metal nanoparticles for pharmaceutical and industrial use, creating a closed-loop system that generates wealth instead of waste. Genetic engineering can further enhance biosorbent organisms and plants to improve heavy metal binding and accumulation. This review examines the environ mental and health impacts of heavy metals, the limitations of conventional remediation methods, various bioremediation techniques, and future research directions.
Dataset on rbcL-based intra-specific diversity and population structure of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) in Nigeria
(Data in Brief (Elsevier), 2024) Omonhinmin, Conrad A.; Taiwo, Nchedo S.; Okonkwor. Paul B.; Ajayi, Israel M.; Akinduti, Paul Akinniyi; Aworunse, Oluwadurotimi S.; Ajiboye, Ibukun; Taiwo, Olugbenga S.; Adekeye, Bosede Temitope; Oziegbe, Olubukola; Bello, Adetutu O.; Ahuekwe, Eze Frank; Oyekanmi, Joshua; Olufowobi, Olanrewaju; Oniha, Margaret Ikhiwili; Oshamika, Oyewumi; Ejoh, Samuel A.; Adewale, Adeyemi G.; Akinnola, Olayemi O.; Oranusi, Solomon U.; Popoola, Jacob O.
African locust bean ( Parkia biglobosa ) is a multipurpose legu- minous tree species of nutritional and pharmacological value. The plant is widely distributed in Africa and across Nige- ria’s major agroecological areas (AEAs). Amidst declining cul- tivation and production, P. biglobosa is genetically threatened in its natural habitats due to overexploitation, deforestation, wildfires and lack of improved tree management practices. Consequently, concerted research efforts directed towards germplasm collection and assessment of genetic relation- ships are imperative for conserving its genetic resources, sustainable management and selecting promising landraces for breeding programmes. The dataset presents rbcL in- traspecific genetic diversity and population structure of 62 P. biglobosa landraces in Nigeria. A relatively high level of diversity and a low degree of nucleotide variability was observed among the landraces. Relatively high values of 642 total allele sites, 601 polymorphic sites, 504 parsimony information sites, 883 total number mutations, 9 haplotypes and 0.55 gene diversity were recorded for the sequence dataset. Low values of 0.35 nucleotide diversity and 5 InDels events were also recorded for the dataset. The gene flow in this dataset demonstrated an extensive exchange of genes between the three populations of P. biglobosa, which influenced the level of genetic differentiation (Gst) between the populations. Significantly low Gst (-0.01) was recorded between the Guinea and Sudan savannah populations, a moderate value (0.03) was recorded between the Sudan savannah and Rainforest populations and a higher Gst value (0.05) was recorded between the Guinea and Rainforest populations. The dataset highlights potential evolutionary dynamics that might influence variations relevant to the breeding and conservation of P. biglobosa in Nigeria and across its range in West and Central Africa.
Stabilization and Environmental Sustainability of Swelling Clays Soils: A Review
(COVENANT JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES, VOL. 13, NO. 2, 2025) Oziegbe, Ehitua J.; Oziegbe, Olubukola
Water movement in swelling soils conforms with material continuity. This invariably justifies the differences in the gravitational potential energy during expansion and the anisotropic stresses that press the soil but allow for vertical movement. Under fluid conditions, vane efficiency exhibited by macropores is lowered by swelling of the clay, and a poorly drained soil results in surface saturation. The type of water applied to soil material tends to have an impact on the positioning of cracks in swelling clays, and thus, cracks can remain pathways for preferential flow much after they are covered at the soil surface. Over time, chemicals and chemical compounds have been utilized to further enhance the engineering properties of such soils. However, environmentally friendly biodegradable biological stabilizers are taking the place of conventional stabilizers, most especially lime and cement. Additionally, biochar amendment, which is ecofriendly, has also been found to lower the swelling index capability of expansive clay soil. Despite the dangers associated with swelling clay, it has found extensive use as adsorbents, carriers in drug delivery systems, and the building of a storage tank for the disposal of radioactive materials. In addition, swelling clays have found significant usage in the production of controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) formulations. Hence this paper emphasizes the environmental impact of building large structures and road construction on swelling clay soils, highlights recent progress in the inhibition and stabilization of swelling soils to sustain the environment, and enumerates the economic importance associated with swelling clay soils.