Analytical /Environmental Chemistry Research Group

Analytical /Environmental Chemistry Research Group

 

Focus: This group focuses their research on studies investigating concentrations of chemical toxicants e.g trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticide residues, etc in food, water, soil, air, and fossil fuel with the view of examining the bioaccumulation, food-chain transfer, soil-plant transfer. From these, the human exposure risk and ecological risk will be evaluated. This group also focuses its research on developing and modifying existing analytical methods for the detection of chemical toxicants. Development of green nano adsorbents for the removal of contaminants from industrial effluents.

 

Base Department/Faculty: Pure and Industrial Chemistry /Physical Sciences

Description/Concept/Justification

Environmental pollution as a result of man’s increasing activities such as burning of fossil fuels, use of agrochemicals and automobile exhaust emission has increased considerably in the past century due mainly to significant increases in economic activities and industrialization. Chemical toxicants have been introduced into the environment due to these anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals are systemic toxins with specific neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, fetotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. PAHs have been reported to be mutagenic, genotoxic and carcinogenic. The use of pesticides is essential to control pests in agricultural crops for the production of an adequate food supply for the increasing world population. With the intensive use of pesticides in agricultural crops, residues may be accumulated at levels higher than the maximum residue levels. These halogenated hydrocarbons are well known carcinogens. Human exposure to this chemical toxicant through food and water consumption and air inhalation has aroused widespread health concern especially with regards to the increasing rate of cancer in the world.

Current research projects:

  • Sequestration of Chromium (VI) from aqueous solution acid and base modified using Diospyrous Preusii seed husk.
  • Hydrochemical, corrosion, and scaling tendency assessment of River Karawa and Iyiaji for irrigational application in agricultural farmland.

Others are:

  • Trace metal levels in some Nigerian staple food
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fossil fuels
  • Pesticide residues in some Nigerian food
  • Water quality studies of borehole water and treated water
  • Determination of BTEX in fossil fuels
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in some Nigerian processed food.
  • Evaluation of potentially harmful emissions from indoor combustion process

Coordinator: Prof. Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha/ Pure and Industrial Chemistry/ janefrances.ihedioha@unn.edu.ng/ 08063310841

RG website:

RG email: analyticalrg.chemistry@unn.edu.ng

Members: Prof. Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha; Prof. C.O.B Okoye; Prof. N.R. Ekere; Dr. C. N. Ibeto; Dr. O. L. Alum; Dr. H. O. Abugu; Mr. I. A. Ucheana; Dr. K. Ugwu; Dr. K. Agbo; Dr. A. Ofomata; Mrs. C.C. Akpomie

 

Areas of research interest:

  • Levels, distribution, and fate of chemical contaminants and toxicants in biological and environmental matrice.
  • Developing and modifying existing analytical methods to detect chemical contaminants and toxicants
  • Examining bioaccumulation, food-chain transfer, and human exposure and risk assessments.
  • Application of green chemistry approach in remediation of chemical contaminants and toxicants in the environment.
  • Water pollution chemistry
  • Phytochemical studies on the medicinal potential application of some plants

 

Contact details of coordinator: Prof. Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha. janefrances.ihedioha@unn.edu.ng/ 08063310841

 

 

Key publications:

  • Hillary Onyeka Abugu, Ogechi Lilian Alum*, Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere, Ifeanyi Samson Eze, Ifeanyi Adolphus Ucheana, Arinze Longinus Ezugwu and Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha (2023). Hydrochemical assessment of river Adada and Obinna for irrigational application, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering DOI: 1061/JIDEDH.IRENG-9899
  • Aliyu Turaki Usman, Hillary Onyeka Abugu* & Chukwuma Obiajulu Benedict Okoye (2023). Preliminary Investigation of Pollution, Impact on Milk Quality and Health Risk of Potentially Toxic Elements in Raw Milk from Free-Ranging Cattle Bred In Northwestern Nigeria, International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, DOI: 10.1080/03067319.2023.2166409
  • Hillary Onyeka Abugu*, Arinze Longinus Ezugwu & Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha (2022): Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination of Fruits, Leaves, and Soil within Automobile Repair Workshops in Nsukka Metropolis, Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, DOI:10.1080/10406638.2022.2149567
  • Valentine Chinakwugwo Ezea, Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha, Hillary Onyeka Abugu* and Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere (2022). A multi-criteria approach to drinking and irrigation water assessment of spring water in Igbo‑Etiti, Nigeria, Applied Water Science 12:22, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-022-01747-8
  • Victor Chibuikem Ehiemere, Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha, Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere, Cynthia Nkolika Ibeto and Hillary Onyeka Abugu* (2022). Pollution and risk assessment of heavy metals in water, sediment, and fish (Clarias gariepinus) in a fish farm cluster in Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Journal of Water and Health, 20 (6): 927, doi 10.2166/wh.2022.003
  • Vivian Chinekwu Onwujiogu, Hillary Onyeka Abugu* & Chukwuma O. B. Okoye (2022). Health risk assessment of pesticide residue in freshly harvested Vigna subterranea (Bambara nut) in Nsukka South Eastern Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess (2022) 194:536, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10201-w
  • Johnson S. Omeje, Jonnie N. Asegbeloyin, Janefrances N. Ihedioha Nwachukwu R. Ekere, Alfred E. Ochonogor, Hillary O. Abugu*, Ogechi L. Alum (2022). Monitoring of pesticide residues in fresh fruits and vegetables available in Nigerian markets and assessment of their associated health risks. Environ Monit Assess, 194:516, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10139-z
  • Ifeanyi Adolphus Ucheana*, Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha, John Berchman Chinonye Njoku, Hillary Onyeka Abugu & Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere (2022). Migration of bisphenol A from epoxy-can malt drink under various storage conditions and evaluation of its health risk, International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, DOI:10.1080/03067319.2022.2098473
  • I. Eze, H.O. Abugu*, O.A. Odewole, N.N. Ukwueze, L.O. Alum (2022). Thermal and chemical pretreatment of Terminalia mantaly seed husk biosorbent to enhance the adsorption capacity for Pb2+. Scientific African 15 (2022).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01123
  • Hillary Onyeka Abugu, Ogechi Lilian Alum,Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere, Ifeanyi Samson Eze, Ifeanyi Adolphus Ucheana, Arinze Longinus Ezugwu and Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha (2023) Hydro chemical Assessment of Rivers Adada and Obinna in Enugu, Nigeria, for Irrigational application. J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. DOI: 10.1061/JIDEDH.IRENG-9899.
  • Alum O.L, Okoye C.O.B and Abugu H.O (2021). “Quality assessment of groundwater in an agricultural belt in eastern Nigeria using a Water Quality Index 192 (6) 393
  • Ibeto, C.N.,Anekwe, C. and Ihedioha, J. (2019): Human exposure risk to semivolatile organic compounds via soil in automobile workshops in Awka, South Eastern, Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2019) 26:16249–16260. ISSN: 0944-1344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04981-x.
  • Ibeto, C.N.,Nkechi, W.C. and Ekere, N.R. (2019): Health Risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Levels in Fish and Sediment from River Niger (Onitsha Axis). Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology, 28:2, 138-149, DOI: 0.1080/10498850.2019.1568332. ISSN: 1049-8850.

 

Profiles and CVs of members:

  • Professor Janefrances Ngozi IHEDIOHA

[B.Sc. (Hons) (NAU), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig), MCSN, MICCON, MOWSD, MSRA-Africa]. Professor Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Pure and Industrial Chemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe Univerisity Awka. She also obtained her Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specializing in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She is the current Faculty representative at the College of Postgraduate Studies, UNN, and a member of the Advisory Board of Education and Outreach of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Hague, Netherlands. Prof. Ihedioha has published many scholarly articles in high-impact and reputable journals.

Google Scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=y8VL7J4AAAAJ

ResearchGate link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Janefrances-Ihedioha

Email: janefrances.ihedioha@unn.edu.ng

Phone no: +2348063310841

  • Chukwuma Obiajulu Benedict OKOYE. He has B.Sc. (Chem), Ibadan 1978; M.Sc. (Anal. Chem) Ibadan, 1982; Ph.D (Appl. Chem.) Ife 1989. He is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) and Member, Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN).

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Okoye-Cob

PHONE NUMBERS:           +2348034692359; +234817091706

EMAIL ADDRESS:   chukwuma.okoye@unn.edu.ng

  • Professor Nwachukwu Romanus EKERE [B.Sc. (Hons) (Nig)., M.Sc (Nig)Ph.D. (FUTO), MCSN, MICCON, MSETAC]
    Professor Nwachukwu Romanus Ekere obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemistry from the University of Nigeria. He had his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, specializing in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Prof Ekere has published many scholarly articles in journals of repute and some textbooks.

Google Scholar hyperlink:
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=ekere+nwachukwu+romanus&oq=Ekere+Nwachukwu
Researchgate:https://www.researchgate.net/search.Search.html?query=ekere+nwachukwu+romanus&_hsv=1d1fFTVkNVVMPPxaTB1pioQB
UNN Mail : Nwachukwu.ekere@unn.edu.ng
Alternate Mail: nwachukwuekere64@gmail.com
Phone Number: +2348037417138

  • Cynthia Ibeto is an Associate Professor. In 2010, she obtained her Ph.D. (Analytical Chemistry) from UNN and was an Academic Research Fellow of the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, UNN (2008-2016). She is an Environmental/Analytical Chemist working on adding value to waste materials via bioremediation. She is a member of UK Research and Innovation Peer Review College and received scholarships/awards notably; the National Young Scientist Prize for Women in Chemical Sciences (2021), Royal Society of Chemistry Research Grant (2020), Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Fellowship (2016/2017) and Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund, Developing World Scholarship (2014). She is an affiliate of the African Academy of Sciences and has received a gold award of excellence (2019) and a fellowship award (2020) for significant contributions to the Chemical Society of Nigeria and the Chemistry profession. She is the Coordinator of Women in Chemistry (Nigeria) and has co-authored over seventy publications.

http://www.unn.edu.ng/internals/staff/viewProfile/OTM5

GoogleScholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JpYCkdkAAAAJ&hl=en

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cynthia_Ibeto

  • Name: Dr. Kenechukwu Ugwu

Designation: Senior Research Fellow/Chief Research Officer

Qualifications: B.Sc (1992), M.Sc (2010), Ph.D (2016).

Specialization: Analytical/Environmental Chemistry and Fossil Energy

Affiliation: Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry & National Centre for EnergyResearch and Development, U.N.N.

Position: Head, Fossil Energy Unit, National Centre for Energy Research and Development, U.N.N.

Email address: kenechukwu.ugwu@unn.edu.ng

Phone number: 08027342382

Citation web pages

Google Scholar Citation webpage:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Q0a5LTIAAAAJ

Researchgate webpage

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/kenechukwu_ugwu

  • Kevin Emeka Agbo holds a BSc. Industrial Chemistry from the University of Beinin, Benin City (2001), an MSc in Analytical Chemistry, from UNN (2010), an MSc (2015), and a Ph.D. (2022) in, Environmental Chemistry/Science and Technology from Ghent University, Belgium. He is a Lecturer at the Dept. of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, UNN, and a Principal Research Fellow at the National Center for Energy Research and Development, NCERD, UNN. His research interests include both fundamental (e.g., method development and validation, quality assurance and control) and applied (e.g., exposure measurements) aspects of environmental analytical chemistry and technology including chemical analysis of contaminants in environmental samples (soil, water, and air). Target groups are emerging contaminants; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and residuals of pharmaceutical products.  The criteria pollutants PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2,and O3 and climate enforcers including CH4, N2O, CO2, and black carbon are also targeted. Air quality monitoring and modeling for effective air quality management and public health protection are also part of his research work. Projects concluded include (i) VLIR OUS Belgium Government sponsored (2013-2015), (ii) Project COMBINE funded by European Regional Development Funding through INTERREG IVB; ‘Investing in Opportunities’. 2015, and (ii), BOF Ghent University Special Research Fund, 2019-2022.

Google Scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-PD_IysAAAAJ

ResearchGate link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin-Agbo/research

ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1433-9473

  • Anthony Chibuzo Ofomatah (Ph.D.), MIPAN, MCSN, MICCON, MSESN. Chartered Chemist/Public Analyst. Senior Research Fellow, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Deputy Director (Research), National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria Nsukka.  +2348034010807
    https://uc.xyz/1w3I5k?pub=link

Email address: anthony.ofomatah@unn.edu.ng

  • Ogechi Lilian Alum, Environmental/Analytical Chemistry Unit Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Dr. Ogechi Lilian ALUM, a Nigeria in Chemistry Discipline and Doctoral Field, Analytical/Environmental Chemistry from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2019. She is a Lecturer in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry since June 2016 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Research Assistant (NCERD), 2010; Quality Control Officer University Water Resources 2013-2016; Environmental Assessor 2015-Date.

  • She has carried out a research project(s) on ground and surface waters in rural areas of South-eastern Nigeria.
  • She is a member of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), a Member Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Student Member of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN).
  • Her research ambition(s) for Africa includes studies on water quality in rural areas with an emphasis on the risks, toxic and health implications; partnering with youths on water treatments using available local materials, drawing the attention of the environmental regulatory agencies with evidence of this study to the human concern within the vicinity, advising farmers on best agricultural practices and campaign against open defecation. Using the study as a framework for planning, further assessment, monitoring, and aid for Environmental Impact Assessment.

Email: ogechi.alum@unn.edu.ng

Phone number: +2348060855490

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=v4wjeo8AAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8794-8632

Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ogechi-Alum

  • Ifeanyi Adolphus Ucheana, M.EM (Environmental Management) Bayero University Kano and B.Tech (Industrial Chemistry) Federal University of Technology Owerri. Technologist 1, Central Science Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ifeanyi-Ucheana

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=yYUzNcYAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3244-2618

  • Hillary Onyeka Abugu [B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D., PGDE, MCSN, MIPAN, MNES, MRSC]

Hillary Onyeka Abugu obtained his Bachelor’s degree, Master and Doctorate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, specializing in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. He also obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from the National Teacher Institute (NTI), Kaduna. He is currently in the Environmental analytical chemistry unit of the Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Abugu has published many scholarly articles in high-impact and reputable peer-reviewed journals. UNN/Mail: hillary.abugu@unn.edu.ng
Phone Number: +2348038847309

Researchgate ID: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hillary-Abugu

Orchid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6045-8449

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UbUqctYAAAAJ&hl=en

  • Chidinma Christiana Akpomie was born in Aba in Abia state, Nigeria. She began her academic pursuit in 1996 at St Bridget Primary School in Abayi, Aba in Abia state, Nigeria. In the year 2000, she started her secondary education at Federal Government Girls College, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria. Chidinma started her university education in the year 2006 at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria. Due to her academic excellence in obtaining a first class in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, she was offered the post of graduate assistant in 2013 after her youth service. In 2014, Chidinma proceeded to do her master’s program at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. She obtained her master’s degree in 2015. After serving the university for two years, she proceeded to her Ph.D. program in 2018 at the University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. She is rounding up her Ph.D. program. Chidinma is a Lecturer I in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka. She teaches and supervises undergraduate students. She also coordinates courses in the department.

Google Scholar citation link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=37b7zTwAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Gate citation link:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chidinma-Ezeofor