ASSESSMENT

This study assessed the health risk assessment of surface water from Orhionmwon River, Southern Nigeria. A total of 18 water samples were collected at each location from May 2025 to July 2025. From upstream to downstream, water samples were taken from three locations in accordance with normal guidelines. While certain heavy metals were identified using the method of the association of analytical chemistry, the physicochemical properties of surface water were analysed using normal laboratory procedures. The average mean concentration of physicochemical and heavy metal properties in surface water were 30.12±0.20 (temperature), 6.97±0.13 (pH), 20.00±1.20 (EC), 9.89±0.51 (TDS), 4.50±0.17 (TSS), 14.39±0.48 (TS), 6.38±0.27 (turbidity), 5.76±0.59 (alkalinity), 4.84±0.32 (DO), 3.71±0.08 (BOD), 33.78±11.04 (COD), 6.61±0.78 (chloride), 7.61±2.34 (NO3), 0.47±0.25 (PO4), 1.84±0.19
(SO4), 6.92±0.31 (hardness), 1.80±0.16 (Ca), 0.63±0.10 (Mg), 0.87±0.06 (Na), 1.50±0.08 (K), 1.24±0.08 (Fe), 0.11±0.01 (Cu), 0.61±0.08 (Zn), 0.06±0.01 (Pb), 0.28±0.08 (Mn), 0.05±0.01
(Cr) and 3.96±0.15 (THC) respectively. Cadmium was not detected in the surface water from Orhionmwon River. The summative water quality index (WQI) for the three sampled stations were classified Grade E indicating that the water from Orhionmwon River is unsuitable for drinking (>100). The comprehensive pollution index across the sampled stations were classified as slightly polluted. Non-carcinogenic target hazard quotients (THQs) for oral exposure for the heavy metals were < 1.0 except for THC across the sampled stations, which suggests that consumers of water from these locations may be at high risk of non- carcinogenic illnesses associated with THC contaminants. The hazard index (HI) values for oral exposure shows that (HI > 1) which indicates that the consumption of the water predisposes them to potential health risk. The result for the integrated carcinogenic risk (ICR) values classified the surface water from Orhionmwon River as Grade VI (high risk – 10 -3) which calls for immediate attention and adequate action and should be further investigated for heavy metals such as lead and chromium

The rising cost of grid electricity and the global push for sustainable energy solutions have heightened interest in renewable-based power systems. This project presents a comprehensive reliability assessment and techno-economic analysis of an islanded (standalone) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed to meet the entire electrical load of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Benin. The study utilized HOMER Pro software to model, simulate, and optimize the system. A detailed load profile of the department was developed and used as the primary input, alongside solar irradiation data for the Benin City location. The system was designed to operate without any grid connection, making reliability the paramount design constraint. The optimization process aimed to find the most cost-effective system configuration that minimizes the Net Present Cost (NPC) while adhering to a strict maximum allowable capacity shortage of 1%. Using HOMER Pro software, an optimal system configuration was determined: a 180 kW solar PV array coupled with a 100 kWh Lead-acid battery bank. The system demonstrates high reliability, meeting 98.98% of the annual load demand while maintaining complete energy independence. Economic analysis shows the system achieves a Levelized Cost of Energy of ₦619.5/kWh, proving it to be a technically feasible and financially viable sustainable energy solution for the department. The study confirms that islanded PV-Battery systems can provide reliable power while offering long-term economic benefits compared to conventional alternati

Water quality assessment of Ashaka Community has been carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine the prevalent parameters during wet and dry seasons respectively. The total of ten (10) samples; nine (9) groundwater and one (1) surface water sample(s) were collected at random to cover the area of study during both seasons. The results showed that pH, EC, Cl, TSS and alkalinity were the most prevalent parameters in both seasons. Furthermore, other parameters measured besides pH, E-Coli and Coliform counts were below the values set by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and World Health Organization (WHO). The high values of E-Coli and Coliform counts revealed the presence of biological contaminants in the water. The moderately acidic values obtained in the water samples and the high concentration of E-Coli and Coliform counts rendered the water unfit for drinking except routine treatment is administered( a neutralizing filter is used if drinking water is acidic to raise the pH to neutral synthetic magnesium oxide treats water with pH less than 6). However, the quality of water in the area can be used for crops production.