DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

Sand production is one of the most troublesome issues in oil and gas development, especially in unconsolidated reservoirs where the formation lacks natural strength. It often leads to equipment wear, production losses, and higher maintenance costs. This study looks at better ways to predict and manage sand production by bringing together different techniques such as geomechanical modeling, log analysis, and real-time monitoring. Traditional control methods like gravel
packing, sand screens, and chemical consolidation are compared with more recent innovations such as the Tixier log-based approach and Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS). Insights drawn from field experiences in Nigerian reservoirs show that when prediction, control and monitoring are combined in a single system, sand problems can be handled more effectively and at a lower cost. Overall, this research highlights that a well-integrated sand management strategy can greatly improve production stability and extend the life of oil wells in challenging reservoir environments.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater flow direction in Iyuku, Auchi, offering valuable insights into hydrogeological conditions and the factors influencing groundwater movement. The wells were chosen to ensure spatial coverage of different geological formations and topographical variations. Key parameters such as hydraulic head, ground surface elevation, and static water level were measured using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and a dip meter. The hydraulic head was calculated by subtracting the water table depth from the surface elevation, providing insights into groundwater movement. A total number of ten (10) hydraulic head values were analyzed which ranges from 121.92 to 297.882. The collected data were processed using ArcGIS 10.8 software, which was utilized to generate a potentiometric surface map indicating groundwater flow direction. The GIS-based methodology allowed for precise mapping and visualization of the spatial distribution of groundwater movement within the study area. The results of the study revealed that groundwater in Iyuku, Auchi, predominantly flows from the northeastern region toward the southwestern region. This flow pattern is driven by variations in hydraulic head, which is influenced by factors such as topography, geological formations, and groundwater recharge and discharge zones. The presence of fractured basement rocks and
sedimentary deposits in the area plays a crucial role in groundwater movement by creating pathways for water infiltration and flow. Furthermore, the study identified that unregulated human activities, such as improper waste disposal, sewage leaks, and agricultural runoff.

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of hydroethanolic extract of watermelon Citrullus lanatus) rind against cadmium-induced hematological alterations in Wistar rats. Twenty five rats were divided into five groups: a control group, a negative control group administered cadmium chloride (15mg/kg), a positive control group treated with Vitamin C (5 mg/kg), and two test groups treated with the watermelon rind extract at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Results showed that cadmium exposure resulted in the lowest percentage body weight gain (37.41%), while treatment with the 500 mg/kg extract promoted the highest weight gain (84.66%), comparable to the Vitamin C group. Although blood cadmium levels did not show a statistically significant reduction, hematological analysis revealed that the extract, particularly at 250mg/kg, appeared to ameliorate hematological parameters, including red and white blood cell indices, showed no significant alterations. The result suggest that Citrullus lanatus rind extract possesses protective properties against cadmium-induced toxicity, potentially through its rich antioxidant phytochemicals, which mitigate oxidative stress and support hemopoietic function, rather than through direct chelation of the heavy metal.

Emulsion paints are widely used for decorative and protective purposes but are susceptible to fungal degradation, particularly in tropical climates with high humidity. This study investigated the degradation of emulsion paint using fungal isolates (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium species) under controlled laboratory conditions. The fungi were inoculated into mineral salt medium supplemented with 5% commercial white emulsion paint as the sole carbon source and incubated at room temperature (25–28°C) for seven days. Four experimental setups were established: Flask A (Aspergillus niger), Flask B (Penicillium sp.), Flask AB (mixed culture), and a control flask. Fungal growth was monitored using serial dilution and pour plate techniques on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), while physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, and optical density at 600 nm) were measured at regular intervals. Results revealed that Penicillium sp. achieved the highest final population of 2.75 ×10⁶ CFU/ml and optical density of 50.9, indicating superior paint degradation capability. Aspergillus niger demonstrated the highest percentage growth rate of 1,328.6%, increasing from 3.5 × 10⁴ CFU/ml to 5.0 × 10⁵ CFU/ml between Day 3 and Day 7. The mixed culture yielded 1.50 × 10⁶ CFU/ml with a growth rate of 1,053.8%, showing no significant synergistic effect. pH fluctuations, particularly acidification to pH 5.1 in single species flasks, suggested organic acid production during metabolism, facilitating enzymatic breakdown of polymeric paint components. These findings highlight the ecological significance of fungi in paint deterioration and emphasize the need for antifungal additives in paint formulations, routine maintenance, and environmental control measures to mitigate microbial colonization in humid tropical environments

Anaemia remains a significant global health challenge, with conventional iron supplementation frequently associated with gastrointestinal side effects and poor patient compliance. This has necessitated the exploration of herbal alternatives with improved safety profiles and better tolerability. This study evaluated the hematinic potential of a polyherbal aqueous extract combining leaves of Justicia carnea, Ipomoea batatas, and Ficus sur using an experimental Wistar rat model of hemolytic anaemia. Thirty-six Wistar rats were subjected to phenylhydrazine hydrochloride-induced hemolytic anaemia (40 mg/kg for seven consecutive days). Following confirmation of anaemia through significant reductions in red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume on Day 1, the animals were randomly assigned to six groups: three treatment groups receiving the polyherbal extract at graded doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; a positive control group administered 5 mg/kg folic acid; a negative control receiving no treatment; and a normal control group without induction or treatment. Treatment interventions continued on daily basis for 14 days. Post treatment assessment demonstrated dose-dependent hematological recovery across all measured parameters. The highest dose (100 mg/kg) exhibited remarkable efficacy, producing a 60.15% increase in Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, 38.50% elevation in hemoglobin levels, and 55.66% improvement in Pack Cell Volume (PCV), with the performance comparable to the standard folic acid control. Statistical analysis revealed significant inter-group differences in RBC count at Day 7 (p = 0.005) and PCV at Day 14 (p = 0.05).

Clay minerals are naturally occurring fine-grained materials composed primarily of hydrous aluminum silicates, formed through the prolonged weathering and hydrothermal alteration of feldspathic rocks under diverse environmental conditions. This study was aimed at investigating the synergetic effect of Ubiaja clay and Uzala black clay and their antibacterial properties against clinical isolates. The clays were collected from Edo State, Nigeria and investigated for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, organic carbon, and metal content. Antimicrobial assays were conducted using the agar disc diffusion method, while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined through serial dilution techniques. Results revealed that Uzala black clay exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than Ubiaja clay, attributed to its higher organic matter and iron content. The combined sample demonstrated synergistic enhancement, showing the lowest MIC (25 mg/mL) and highest inhibition zones (up to 4.2 mm), particularly against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physicochemical data showed that Ubiaja clay had higher mineralization, whereas Uzala black clay was richer in redox-active components, both contributing to their antibacterial potency. The clays also inhibited multidrug-resistant isolates that exhibited resistance to β-lactam antibiotics but sensitivity to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. The findings suggest that locally sourced clays possess promising antimicrobial potential and could serve as cost-effective complementary agents in managing infections, especially in regions affected by antibiotic resistance.

Amaranthus hybridus , a significant crop in arid and semi-arid regions, faces substantial challenges due to drought stress. This study investigates the morphological responses of A. hybridus to waterlimited conditions. The research involved controlled experiments where plants were subjected to different treatments (40mg/l, 200mg/l, 360mg/l, 17.61mg/l, 88.06mg/l, 176.12mg/l) and growth regulators (SA and AA). Morphological traits such as plant height, stem girth, root length, and weight of seed, number of leaves were meticulously measured and analyzed. The results revealed significant increase in plant height, number of leaves and weight of seed under drought stress, indicating a strategy to minimize water loss. In contrast, root development showed an increase, suggesting an adaptive response to enhance water uptake from deeper soil layers. These morphological adaptations demonstrate the plant's resilience and ability to survive in drought environments. The findings underscore the importance of understanding these responses for improving drought tolerance in A. hybridus, thereby enhancing its productivity in water-scarce regions.

Sand production remains one of the most persistent challenges in oil and gas operations, particularly in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs where weak formations are prone to failure under changing pressure and stress conditions. This study explores the advancements in sand prediction and management techniques, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence tools such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) for enhanced predictive accuracy. By analyzing key reservoir parameters, machine learning models were developed to classify wells based on their sand production potential. The research compares the predictive performance of ANN and SVM algorithms, identifying the most reliable and adaptable approach for field applications, especially in datascarce environments. Findings from this study contribute to improved decisionmaking in sand control strategy selection, reduced equipment damage, minimized production losses, and more sustainable well management practices in unconsolidated reservoirs.

This study investigates the antimicrobial effects of the essential oil extracted from Ocimum gratissimum commonly known as scent leaf on selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. With increasing concerns over antibiotic resistance, the search for alternative natural antimicrobial agents has intensified. Ocimum gratissimum is a well-known medicinal plant used traditionally in many African and Asian communities for treating infections and inflammatory diseases. The essential oil was extracted using standard distillation methods and tested against bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) using the agar well diffusion method. The results showed that the essential oil demonstrated considerable inhibitory effects on both bacterial types, with slightly higher activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The study confirms the potential of Ocimum gratissimum essential oil as a natural antimicrobial agent and supports its traditional use in treating bacterial infections. Further studies are recommended to isolate active compounds and evaluate theirmechanisms of action

This study comparatively evaluated the peripheral blood smear restorative potential of the equal mixture of aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts of Justicia carnea Lindl., Ficus sur L., and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. in phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced haemolytic anaemia Wistar rats, with the aim of providing scientific validation for their traditional use as “blood tonics” in Southern Nigeria. Haemolytic anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal administration of PHZ on days 1 and 2, after which rats were treated daily for 14 days with distilled water (negative control), vitamin C ( positive control), while aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg respectively. Peripheral blood smears prepared on days 0, 7, and 14 post-induction were microscopically assessed for key erythrocyte morphological parameters including anisocytosis, poikilocytosis (schistocytes, echinocytes, stomatocytes), polychromasia, and presence of nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs). At 24 hours post-PHZ, severe haemolytic damage was evident across all PHZ-treated groups, which moderately normalize by day 7. Treated animals exhibited a near-complete normalization of RBC size and shape by day 14. The findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological endpoints like anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and nucleated RBCs into preclinical evaluations of anti-anaemic phytomedicines.