FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Groundwater potential assessment using the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) technique was conducted in Uwasota and environs, Benin City, Southern Nigeria. Four VES
measurements were acquired using the Schlumberger electrode array. The data were
quantitatively interpreted using curve matching and computer iteration techniques to
generate geoelectric parameters. The VES results revealed subsurface lithologies consisting of topsoil, lateritic soil, dry sand, and saturated sand, all within the Benin Formation. Resistivity analysis allowed for the delineation of potential aquifer zones and estimations of groundwater depth. This study provides valuable insight into the
subsurface hydrogeological conditions and delineates areas suitable for groundwater
development in Uwasota and environs, contributing to improved groundwater resource management in the region.

The study of geo-electrical resistivity provides critical insights into subsurface characteristics and aquifer dynamics, particularly in regions with varying geological formations. This research investigates the efficiency of Vertical Electrical sounding (VES), a geophysical technique, for groundwater exploration within the hydrological setting of Uwasota Benin city, southern Nigeria. The primary aim of this study is to characterize the geo-electrical layers, assess aquifer thickness and resistivity. A total of 4 VES was acquired using Schlumberger electrode array. The data was interpreted quantitatively using the partial curve matching and computer iteration techniques to generate the first order geo-electric parameters and to also delineate subsurface lithological variations and identify potential aquifer zones.

This study entailed the production of ginger powder and analysis for selected phytochemicals and minerals element constituents. Examined phytochemicals were flavonoid, saponin, glycoside, phenols, alkaloid, tannin, coumarin, quinones and steroids while selected mineral elements analysed were iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium and sodium. The ginger rhizomes for this study were obtained from New Benin Market, Edo State, Nigeria. Standard methods were used for processing the ginger powder. Specifically, the presence or absence of the selected phytochemicals was determined. Findings indicated that for fresh ginger rhizomes, the examined minerals are of the following values: Fe (1.00mg/L), Mg (0.75mg/L), Ca (0.50mg/L), Zn (0.80mg/L), K (19.7mg/L) and Na (2.2mg/L). For the processed ginger powder, the obtained values for the examined mineral constituents are: Fe (1.60mg/L), Mg (1.08mg/L), Ca (0.30mg/L), Zn (1.20mg/L), K (61.1mg/L) and Na (11.4mg/L). Based on findings from this study, ginger powder is a good source of the examined food minerals.

This study assessed the physicochemical quality of diesel oil sold in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, using aggregate samples collected from four local government areas (Egor, Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Ovia North-East). The scope covered five key parameters—flash point, distillation characteristics, density, basic sediment and water (BSW), and colour selected for their direct impact on safety, efficiency, and compliance with standards. Diesel samples were collected in sealed one-liter containers, combined into four aggregates, and analyzed using ASTM methods (D93 for flash point, D86 for distillation, D1298 for density, D1796 for BSW, and D1500 for color). Results showed distillation ranges within specification, with initial boiling points of 160–165 °C and final boiling points of 355–356 °C, and final recovered volumes of 97–98 mL, indicating uniform volatility. Density corrected to 15 °C ranged from 0.834 g/mL (Oredo) to 0.847 g/mL (Ovia North-East), aligning with the acceptable 0.82–0.85 g/mL range. BSW content was consistently low at 0.05%, while ASTM colour values ranged from 1.0 to 1.5, all within standards. However, flash points were below 52 °C across all LGAs, failing to meet the ASTM D975 minimum, suggesting contamination or blending with lighter fractions. The findings highlight generally consistent diesel quality but raise safety concerns requiring regulatory oversight.

This study integrates sedimentological, mineralogical, and palynological analyses to evaluate the depositional environments and hydrocarbon potential of the XY Well in the Niger Delta Basin. The well penetrates the Agbada Formation, which forms part of the paralic sequence of the Niger Delta. A total of 190 ditch cutting samples were analyzed using standard sedimentological and palynological procedures to determine their lithological composition, textural characteristics, mineral assemblages, and fossil content. The lithological succession consists predominantly of alternating sandstone, shale, sandy shale, and clayey sand units typical of deltaic successions.
Mineralogical studies revealed quartz, pyrite, glauconite, iron oxide, mica, and carbonate minerals, suggesting mixed continental and marine influences, moderate diagenetic alteration, and cyclic depositional energy conditions. The sand units are moderately to well sorted, subrounded to rounded, and interpreted as potential reservoir facies, whereas the shales serve as potential source and seal rocks. Palynological analysis yielded 964 palynomorphs comprising 496 pollen grains, 458 spores, and 10 dinoflagellate cysts. Diagnostic taxa such as Praedapollis africanus, Peregrinipollis nigericus, and Retibrevitricol porites obodoensis enabled the
establishment of three biostratigraphic zones (P620, P580, and P560) corresponding to the Miocene age. Thirteen informal palynological zones were also recognized, reflecting alternating terrestrial, marginal marine, and shallow marine environments. Integration of the sedimentological and palynological results indicates a regressive–transgressive depositional cycle characteristic of a prograding delta system comprising delta plain, delta front, and prodelta
facies. The study concludes that the Agbada ormation penetrated by the XY Well exhibits favorable reservoir and source rock characteristics, confirming its significance in the hydrocarbon system of the Greater Ughelli Depobelt of the Niger Delta Basin.

This project work provides an overview on the application of linear algebra to artificial intelligence including natural language processing and machine learning. We discuss how linear algebra operations such as matrices, linear transformations, eigen values and eigen vectors, are used to optimize AI models, analyze complex data structures and enable efficient computation. Beginning with an overview of fundamental concepts in linear algebra, such as vectors, matrices, and linear transformations, the study delves into specific applications of these concepts in AI. One key area of focus is machine learning, where linear algebra forms the backbone of algorithms for tasks such as regression analysis, and principal component analysis for dimensionality reduction. This work also showcases the versatility of linear algebra by delving deep into the various reaches of linear algebra into many other fields and areas of study such as economics, physics and engineering.

This project presents an integrated 3D seismic interpretation and identification of hydrocarbon prospects of Yeager Field, which is located within the prolific Niger Delta Basin of Nigeria. There search has been performed using high-resolution 3D seismic data, integrated with well-login formation provided by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to identify subsurface structural and stratigraphic features that are relevant to hydrocarbon accumulation. A comprehensive fault mapping, horizon interpretation, seismic-to-well tie, velocity modeling, and depth conversion were undertaken and complemented by seismic attribute analysis comprising RMS amplitude, maximum amplitude, average energy, and average magnitude attributes. Thirty five (35) faults were identified dominated by growth faults, rollover anticlines, and synthetic-antithetic fault systems typical of the extensional regime of the Niger Delta. Several structural closures with trapping potential were identified from the time and depth structure maps, while seismic attributes indicated amplitude anomalies that suggested the presence of hydrocarbon in the reservoir sands of the Agbada Formation. The seismic-to-well tie provided a reliable time-depth relationship that increased the accuracy of horizon correlation by more than forty percent. The results indicate that fault-assisted closures, especially the rollover anticlines resulting from the growth faults, are the primary trapping mechanism in the field. Potential hydrocarbon prospects have been delineated using this integrated approach, providing a robust geological framework for future exploration and development planning in the study area. The importance of advanced 3D seismic interpretation in reducing exploration risk and optimizing hydrocarbon recovery in the complex structural setting of the Niger Delta Basin cannot be overemphasized.

The petrographic and mineralogical analysis of siliciclastic and carbonate facies within the southeastern Dahomey Basin, Nigeria, was studied with the aim of interpreting their provenance, depositional environment, diagenetic evolution, and reservoir potential. Thirty three samples were collected and analyzed. Analysis involved X-ray diffraction (XRD) for mineralogical characterization and thin-section petrography for micro-structural and textural evaluation. Six representative samples were analyzed, comprising three siliciclastic units from depths of 1610– 1870 ft and three carbonate units from 730–930 ft across two wells within the study area. The siliciclastic samples are dominated by quartz, feldspar (orthoclase and albite), and muscovite, indicating derivation from granitic and gneissic sources of the Precambrian Basement Complex. Moderate textural maturity and the presence of albitized feldspars suggest limited reworking and shallow burial diagenesis. The carbonate samples, composed mainly of bioclastic and peloidal packstones to wackestones, reflect shallow-marine to outer shelf depositional settings, influenced by mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sedimentation during transgressive phases. Diagenetic features such as sparry calcite cementation, muscovite preservation, and feldspar albitization point to a multi-stage, low-thermal diagenetic history under closed-system conditions. High quartz content, low clay development, and early marine cementation collectively indicate moderate to good reservoir quality, with porosity largely preserved by mechanical rather than chemical processes. The results of petrography and mineralogy of Siliciclastics and Carbonate facies in Southeastern Dahomey Basin revealed that the units are potential for hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs.

n the research of Determining the size and geometry of the universe, we noticed some challenges. It is challenging to estimate the size and shape of the universe. Sheer scale means that light from distant areas has not had time to reach us, truncating observations. Further, the accelerating expansion due to dark energy complicates measurement. Dark matter, which is unseen, affects the universe's gravitational structure in a complex way. It is hard to measure distances due to enormous scales and the need for calibration. Observations rely on visible matter and radiation, so the picture is incomplete and uncertain. In determining the size and geometry of the universe relies on important methods. Astronomers observe cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation for data about its structure. They use large-scale structures like the distribution of galaxies to comprehend the universe's shape. Techniques like redshift surveys quantify the expanding universe through light from distant galaxies to determine distances and scale. Gravitational lensing, with deflection of light by massive bodies, indicates where visible and dark matter are. Combining these methods with theoretical models, scientists can develop a coherent picture of the universe's size and shape. From integrating data from these diverse approaches, we were able to determine the value of the parameters for the scale factor of the universe (a), the curvature of space (k), Hubble's constant (H). I was able to calculate to get the value for the scale factor of the universe (a) to be 9 × 1010 light years, and for the value for k which is the curvature of space, to be 1. When k is 1, the universe will be spherical. And also, for the value of the Hubble’s constant to be 69.8km/s/mpc.

The Student Grievance Application is a web-based system developed to simplify and modernize the process of lodging, managing, and resolving student complaints in educational institutions. The traditional manual grievance-handling methods are often time-consuming, prone to data loss, and lack transparency. This project aims to overcome these limitations by providing an automated, efficient, and transparent platform where students can submit grievances, track their status, and receive timely feedback. The system is designed with a user-friendly interface that allows students to categorize their complaints such as academic issues, staff behavior, infrastructure, or administrative concerns and submit them securely. Administrators and grievance officers can then review, respond, and update complaint statuses through an integrated management panel. The application also maintains a centralized database for recordkeeping, monitoring trends, and generating analytical reports for institutional decision-making. The system was implemented using modern web technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript for the front end, PHP or Python for the back end, and MySQL for data storage. Security features such as authentication, authorization, and data validation were incorporated to protect user information. Overall, the Student Grievance Application enhances communication between students and the institution’s management, promotes accountability, and ensures a more transparent and efficient grievance redressal process