Institute of Environmental Management and Quality Control
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Item Microplastics in manure: Sources, analytical methods, toxicodynamic, and toxicokinetic endpoints in livestock and poultry(Elsevier BV, 2023-04-29) Sheriff, IshmailMicroplastics are pollutants of serious environmental and public health concern. Although predominantly known to occur in environmental and biological matrices, emerging scientific evidence has indicated that they can also occur in fecal matter. Animal manure, both raw and treated, is usually applied on farmlands as organic fertilizer, serving as an entry point of microplastic particles into agricultural soil. The present study analyzes the literature on the occurrence of microplastics (sources and analytical methods of detection in livestock and poultry manure), their toxicodynamic, and toxicokinetics endpoints in farm animals. Based on the studies examined herein, there is a lack of harmonization in the sampling, digestion, and extraction procedures for microplastics in animal manure. Microplastics abundance was 9.02 × 102 ± 1.29 × 103 particles/kg-1 in pig, 7.40 × 101 ± 1.29 × 102 particles/kg-1 in cow, 0 to 5000 particles/kg−1 in sheep, and 129.8 ± 82.3 particles/g−1 (0.1298 particles/kg) in chicken manure. Microplastics that have been found in farm animal manure were primarily ingested from microplastics-contaminated feed and plastic mulching film attached to crop residues. However, there are other likely sources (e.g., water, soil, and air) that need to be studied carefully. Despite the limited studies on the fate of microplastics in raw manure, the weight of the currently available scientific evidence shows that they exhibit different characteristics during the treatment of manure. The previous studies were all based on composting experiments. Therefore, research on different treatment methods is required to have a profound sense and a better understanding of the influence of physicochemical properties (shape, size, type, and composition) of microplastics on their fate during manure treatment. Moreover, exposure of animals to microplastics revealed several toxicological effects but more research is needed to clearly understand the dose-response relationship, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination mechanisms with respect to other factors (microplastic sizes, shapes, polymers, types of additive, and co-contaminants).Item Synthesis of mullite ceramics from powdered mine tailings reinforced with Al 2 O 3(Wiley, 2024-10-03) Kamara, SaiduMullite is an aluminosilicate compound that can be fabricated from various sources of raw materials. Mullite (α) was synthesized from six different mine tailings reinforced with alumina. The tailings were finely ground into powder to determine their chemical components using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic technologies. Silica was discovered in all the tailings in significant quantities followed by alumina (high purity α‐alumina). 50 g of the first sample which composed 68.8 w(M)/10 −2 of SiO 2 and 13.2 w(M)/10 −2 of Al 2 O 3 was measured, reinforced with 81.1 g of Al 2 O 3 and subjected to a high‐energy ball mill for 30 min to enhance the reaction between SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 . The process was repeated for all six powdered tailings. Each mixture was sintered at 1100°C and 1200°C in a muffle furnace for 4 hours at a heating rate of 10°C/min. The sintered materials were characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD, and FTIR techniques. Results and analysis show a significant amount of prismatic α‐mullite formed in all six sintered samples. The formation of mullite crystals was observed to increase with an increase in temperature from 1100°C to 1200°C. The phenomenal fabrication of mullite from mine tailings is significant in ceramic technology.Item DISRUPTIONS IN LIVELIHOODS, HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN WEST AFRICA DURING EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS(2024-04-29) Ansumana, RashidBackground Outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, and COVID-19 have severely strained infrastructural systems and social services across West Africa. We investigated the disruptions caused by emerging outbreaks on access to healthcare, health outcomes, and livelihoods in West Africa. Method A mixed-methods approach was utilized, conducting extensive studies in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews with key informants, and focus group discussions. Using a device-to-cloud system guided by GIS for randomized sampling across the four nations, this technique allowed us to comprehensively analyze implications across imposed lifestyle changes on health and wellbeing due to disrupted healthcare. Results Our findings indicate drastic shifts in food consumption patterns and healthcare access. In Guinea, self-reported “Once Daily” meals astonishingly surged from 148 to 775 individuals (p<0.001), with analogous substantial increases observed in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Nigeria exhibited a varied response, with notable rises both in “Once Daily” and “Twice Daily” meal frequencies (p<0.001), reflecting broad dietary adaptations out of necessity. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in consumption of traditional protein sources like bushmeat, beef, and mutton, mainly because of disrupted supply chains and heightened concerns over food insecurity. Conversely, fish consumption slightly fell possibly due to its perceived safety or accessibility amidst the outbreak. Healthcare services faced severe disruptions, particularly acute in Sierra Leone and Liberia compared to Guinea and Nigeria. The interruption of services drastically impacted everything from immunization rates to mental health, with a rise in reported anxiety and depression alongside public dissatisfaction towards the healthcare disruptions. Conclusion This study demonstrates the dramatic effects of infectious disease outbreaks on health access and diets in West Africa. The research calls for integrating health initiatives with social protection to strengthen the resilience of societies to meet all types of health challenges. It is imperative districts establish robust health systems and social security mechanisms to counter future public health crises.Item The impact of advanced technologies on healthcare supply chain performance in Sierra Leone: a structural equation modelling approach(Taylor & Francis, 2025-10-18) Kargbo, SallieuThis study systematically examines the role of advanced technologies in enhancing healthcare logistics within Sierra Leone's dynamic landscape, focusing on operational efficiency, supply chain resilience, product integrity, and timely delivery of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. Analyzing data from 16 district hospitals, including 625 validated responses from healthcare professionals (a 78% response rate), we employed a mixed-methods approach (surveys and interviews) to triangulate findings, paired with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) for quantitative analysis. Key findings reveal distinct technology-performance relationships: specifically, AI-driven inventory management systems reduced stockouts by 42% (β = 0.38, p < 0.01) in high-adoption facilities such as Connaught Hospital. These results highlight how targeted technological integration addresses critical logistics challenges in resource-constrained settings, while offering actionable insights to optimize healthcare delivery through enhanced operational efficiency and service reliability.Item MICROPLASTICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICA(World Scientific, 2025-04-26) KAMANDA, JOHN KOWAThis review examines the dual threats of microplastic pollution and climate change on African marine ecosystems, synthesizing current knowledge to assess their sources, impacts, and synergistic effects. Microplastics, pervasive due to inadequate waste management and rapid urbanization, infiltrate marine environments, adsorbing toxins and disrupting biodiversity, while climate change exacerbates their distribution and toxicity through rising temperatures and extreme weather. The study revealed that despite Africa contributing 7.8% of the global riverine plastics, research remains fragmented, with only 22.9% of African countries studied, and inconsistent methodologies and policy frameworks often lack the integration of climate adaptation and pollution mitigation. Case studies from Rwanda, Ghana, and South Africa highlight successful mitigation strategies, including regulatory frameworks, recycling initiatives, and bioremediation. Key recommendations include advancing research on microplastics–climate interactions, hybrid policies, AI-enhanced monitoring, strengthening waste management infrastructure, fostering regional collaboration, and prioritizing innovative circular economy approaches to safeguard marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. Addressing these challenges requires urgent, coordinated action to mitigate compounding risks and ensure sustainable marine conservation in Africa.Item Investigating disater risk management and climate change adaptation effectiveness in freetown, Sierra Leone(AOSIS, 2025-08-26) Sam-Mbomah, EdwinFreetown, Sierra Leone, faces increasing risks from hazards such as floods, landslides, mudslides, fires and coastal erosion, threats that are increasingly intensified by climate change. Although disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) policies are in place, concerns persist regarding their effectiveness. This study investigates the extent to which these policies have transitioned from good intentions to effective interventions in Freetown. Employing a case study approach, the research critically examines the disaster context, reviews relevant policy frameworks and implementation processes, and identifies both enablers and barriers to effective policy execution across five informal settlements, Kroo Bay, Susans Bay, Kulvert, Kolleh Town and Dwarzack. The findings reveal systemic deficiencies in DRM and CCA, including weak legal and institutional structures, poor inter-agency coordination, inadequate enforcement, limited access to data, and ineffective risk communication. Further obstacles include insufficient community engagement, the absence of legal mechanisms for resolving DRM and CCA related disputes, corruption, political instability, underinvestment in research and technology, and inadequate urban planning. The study recommends strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, promoting integrated collaborative planning processes, and supporting community-led resilience initiatives. Key priorities include enhancing risk assessments, developing robust early warning systems (EWS), improving urban planning, and fostering innovation through research and technology. Contribution: The study identifies key measures for effective DRM and CCA in Freetown, including community inclusion, capacity building, financial mechanisms, data management, risk communication, and resilient infrastructure development, especially for "at-risk" communities.Item Insider-outsider reflections: researching disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in Freetown, Sierra Leone(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2025-10-10) Sam-Mbomah, EdwinPurpose In this paper, I critically reflect on my research positionality in conducting disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) research in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Positioned both as an insider, due to my cultural and contextual familiarity, and as an outsider, due to my academic and professional affiliations, I explore the complexities of navigating this dual identity. This reflection examines how my positionality influences the research process: access to data, interactions with stakeholders, trust-building and the interpretation of findings. Design/methodology/approach The design is rooted on a critical reflexive examination of how my positionality influences the research processes, stakeholder engagement, data interpretation and overall knowledge production. Findings My dual insider-outsider status brought both advantages and challenges. As an insider, cultural familiarity, local knowledge and shared identity facilitated trust, access to key stakeholders and deeper contextual understanding, while my outsider positionality, influenced by academic affiliations ensured research rigor but sometimes led to power imbalances and scepticism among local participants. Navigating this required reflexivity to balance engagement, minimise bias and uphold ethical knowledge production. The findings underscore that researcher positionality is dynamic and context-dependent, shaping data collection, stakeholder interactions and research interpretation. Originality/value This paper acknowledges power dynamics, ethics and biases in research, promoting methodological transparency. It contributes to discussions on positionality and reflexivity in disaster risk and climate change adaptation studies, with a focus on urban African contexts.Item Hydrochemical and stable isotopic analysis of surface water and groundwater in the Guanzhong Basin, China: Implication to understanding their interactions(Elsevier BV, 2025-10-04) Kallon, Hadji DsItem Estimating Baseflow Dynamics and Influencing Factors Using WHAT in the Wei River Basin, China(Wiley, 2026-09-01) Kallon, Hadji Dauda SmailaBaseflow is critical for sustaining streamflow and managing groundwater resources. The Wei River Basin (WRB) is a semi‐humid region with high water demand that requires robust baseflow analysis, which is essential for stream restoration. Annual baseflow in the WRB was estimated using the Web‐based Hydrograph Analysis Tool (WHAT) in this study, which utilised streamflow data from five gauged watershed stations. Groundwater‐level monitoring data from 2010 to 2015 were also utilised to understand the interaction between baseflow and groundwater levels. The two‐parameter recursive digital filter method within the WHAT programme was employed to estimate baseflow from daily streamflow records. By leveraging this standardised, peer‐validated tool, our analysis maintained consistency in baseflow and direct runoff calculations across all monitoring stations, reducing subjectivity in manual separation methods and enhancing comparability of results. Based on the results, the total annual baseflow measured between 2010 and 2019 ranged from 29574.74 to 910078.73 m 3 /s, while the baseflow index (BFI) varied from 0.56 to 0.67. During the study period, the average BFI was calculated to be 0.63, indicating that baseflow contributed approximately 64% of the long‐term runoff in the examined watersheds. The results also revealed a progressive rise in the BFI along the Wei River, increasing from 0.56 in the upstream sections to 0.67 downstream. Baseflow and BFI spatial patterns indicate groundwater abundance, driven by climate and human factors, with climate more influencing baseflow variability from west to east. Between 2010 and 2019, the basin experienced significant LULC changes. These changes serve as a critical contributing factor modulating decadal baseflow variation, while climate variability remains a dominant driver. Cropland declined, forest and water‐type areas increased, grassland and unused land decreased, and the impervious area expanded. These LULC changes led to a significant increase in annual baseflow despite the climate zone remaining the same.Item Urban Water Management and Sustainability in Freetown, Sierra Leone: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations in Reuse and Harvesting(Springer Nature, 2026) Kallon, Hadji Ds