GOUNI Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (GJIR)

ANALYSIS OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS CONTENT OF SURFACE WATER, PLANT AND SOIL IN AGBANI COMMUNITY IN NKANU WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE

2026-02-05T13:52:18+00:00

Contamination of surface water, Plants and soil with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) is an issue of current global concern. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is originated from commercial, incineration and industrial sources. Hence, there is a need for monitoring their occurrence and distribution in the environment. This study assessed the occurrence, distribution and composition profiles of PCBs in Agbani Village in Enugu State. Samples such as surface water, soil and plants were collected randomly in Section (A, B and C) which represents the four cardinal points of the community. The levels of polychlorinated biphenyls were analyzed using an Agilent 7890A Gas chromatograph coupled to an Agilent 5975C mass selective detector. The following poly chlorinated biphenyls compounds (Lindane, Endosulfan, Emamectin, Dichlovos, Isopropyl amine, Aldrin, Nonachlor, Chlordane and Heptachlor) were detected. The level of poly chlorinated biphenyl found in Section (A, B and C) for surface water is as follows: (4.02356 mg/ml), (2.65755 mg/ml) and (2.82669 mg/ml), Soil: (7.9749 mg/g), (6.8343 mg/g) and (3.6558), Plant: (0.005 mg/g), (0.01256mg/g) and (0.00465 mg/g) respectively. The level of polychlorinated biphenyls found in Section A was relatively higher than other values obtained in Section C and B. Moreover, human, Agricultural and industrial activities has led to increase of polychlorinated biphenyls within the study area. Therefore, Government should deem it necessary to regulate or monitor industrial activities within the study area. Finally, Surface water located within these areas should not be used for any form of domestic activities hence, should be treated before consumption.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT: HOW SCHOOL CALENDARS CAN SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING

2026-02-05T13:59:53+00:00

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today, with wide ranging effects on health, the economy, agriculture, and education. In response to increasing occurrences of floods, wildfires, storms, and heatwaves, there is a growing need for educational systems to move beyond traditional agriculture or colonial based school calendars. These outdated models hinder the development of climate literacy and ignore the dynamic relationship between learning and nature.

This study investigates the role of climate responsive school calendars as tools for integrating environmental education. Drawing on international case studies from Finland, Kenya, and selected US regions, the paper explores how adaptive timetables aligned with seasonal and ecological realities can enhance student engagement through outdoor experiential learning and sustainability focused instruction. The research adopts a qualitative comparative approach, examining policy documents, curriculum frameworks, and climate adaptation practices in schools across diverse contexts.

Findings suggest that integrating climate change education across subjects, supported by teacher training, community involvement, and flexible academic calendars, significantly boosts environmental awareness and problem solving capacity among students. The study concludes that school calendars are a strategic but underutilized medium for promoting climate literacy and nurturing a generation prepared to lead sustainable change.

THE USE OF STRUVITE IN AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SUSTAINABILITY AND CREATION OF CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.

2026-02-06T11:28:06+00:00

This research was conducted as a result of the need to produce more food for the growing population, to create a clean environment by channelling urine properly and for job creation. In this study, the effects of struvite (fertilizer obtained from human urine) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK 20:10:10 and urea) were compared on the growth of Cucurbita maxima (ugbogulu/ anyu). Four treatment groups, which included: control (no application), NPK 20:10:10, urea fertilizer and struvite group were successfully employed. Data on plant growth parameters collected were: plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and stem girth of the plants. Chlorophyll content, vitamin C content and mineral content were also determined according to the method of Arnon, (1949), Klein & Perry, (1982) and APHA, (1995) respectively. The results showed that plants grown with struvite had a higher percentage change in plant height (91%) and the average plant height in 6-week harvest data was 23.78±1.08. The average number of the leaves in the struvite group was the highest (7.50±0.96), while the average number of the leaves in the urea group was the lowest (4.67±0.43). The struvite group had the highest average final stem girth (2.43±0.12) when compared with other groups. Plants treated with struvite fertilizer had the highest vitamin C content, highest average chlorophyll B content, and highest potassium content. Therefore, it is recommended to use struvite as a cheap source of fertilizer for promoting plant growth and making sanitation systems economically more attractive.

CLIMATE CHANGE DYNAMICS: PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF BIORESOURCES AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE TROPICS.

2026-02-06T11:33:43+00:00

Ecosystem management and restoration play an important role in climate change mitigation, responses, and adaptation. The gory incidence of the climate change is apparent in the continuous drift in ecological structures, compositions, species variations, migrations, extinctions and inherent effects on socio-economic recessions all over the globe. This, however, is not only complex but has continue to raise the dynamic bars that requires intensive scholastic discourse and evaluation to alleviate and possibly control the impacts. The knowledge of the principles and dynamics of climate change and its impact on biodiversity, speciation, variability, and sustainability and water resources is very critical. This suggests an empirical appraisal and approach and in-depth scholarly debate to unravel the mechanism and possibly proffer panaceas for healthy resilience and restoration of ecosystem equilibrium and sustainability. This study was carried out to unravel the principles and dynamics of climate change with reference to the protection and sustainability of diverse tropical bioresources. During the study, a web-based systematic review search with reference to the ROSES protocol was employed to source 156 articles that studied principles of climate change and their impacts on bioresources protection and sustainability. Seventy-two (72) peer-reviewed articles that met the inclusion criteria were retained and critically reviewed after a thorough screening. The review identified automobile emissions (14%), industries (21%), and agriculture, forestry, and other land uses (AFOLU) (24%) as the major contributors to the increase in global warming. This study recommends green energy, afforestation, ranching, and sustainable agricultural practices as panaceas that will stem the tide of ravaging drift in climate.

INFLUENCE OF PARENT MATERIALS AND LAND USE ON SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

2026-02-06T11:44:20+00:00

A study was conducted to determine the effect of parent materials and land use on C sequestration in southern Nigeria. The experimental design used for the study was a 2 x 5 x 3 factorial in RCBD. The factors were land use (managed tree croplands (MTC) and continuously cultivated croplands (CCC), parent material (coastal plain sands at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Isieke; Shale at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Okigwe, Imo Clay Shale at the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), Agbala; Coastal Plain sands at the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Kpong and Alluvium at the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Isiokolo and soil horizon depths (0-19, 20-39 and 40-100 cm). Physical properties ranged from 49-85 %, 9-40 %, 4-22 % and 1.35-2.15 gcm-3 for sand, clay, silt and bulk density in MTC and 60-81 %, 9-30 %, 5-13 % and 1.38-2.15 gcm-3 for sand, clay, silt and bulk density in CCC. The textural class ranged from loamy sand to sandy loam at the surface and sandy clay loam to sandy clay at the subsurface. Soil reaction were extremely acid to strongly acid (pH 4.4-5.5) for MTC and very strongly acid to moderately acid (pH 4.5-5.6) for CCC. Soils under MTC sequestered higher (p<0.05) amount of C across the soil depths relative to arable croplands. SOC pool in MTC soil was within the ideal range for mitigating climate change and environmental quality control, whereas CCC land utilization type was below the threshold level. Coastal plain sands of FRIN- Isieke had highest (p<0.05) amount of SOC pool (575.80 MgCha-¹), while the alluvial soils of NDBDA- Isiokolo gave the lowest (409. 50 MgCha-¹). The study revealed that SOC sequestration is a function of land use, parent material and depth. Therefore, the soil conservation practices associated with CCC under the different parent materials in the studied area should be re-evaluated, this is because reduction of SOC in CCC increased oxidation of SOM, thereby leading to SOC losses to the atmosphere and this may also accelerate global warming.

INTEGRATING CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE INTO EDUCATIONAL CURRICULA: A FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

2026-02-05T14:07:43+00:00

In the face of escalating climate change impacts, equipping future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary for adaptation and resilience has become a global imperative. This study explores the integration of climate adaptation and resilience into secondary school curricula as a strategic approach to fostering sustainable development. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study examines best practices in climate education, identifies gaps in existing curricula, and proposes a comprehensive framework for embedding climate-related content into educational systems. Through an analysis of case studies from South East, Nigeria, the research highlights the critical role of education in enhancing students' environmental literacy and adaptive capacities. The proposed framework incorporates climate science, local environmental challenges, and practical solutions, aiming to cultivate a generation of informed and proactive individuals. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for policymakers and educators, emphasizing the need for a systemic transformation in educational practices to support global sustainability goals. This research not only contributes to academic discourse but also serves as a practical guide for implementing climate education that prepares students to navigate and mitigate the complexities of a changing climate.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA- A REVIEW ARTICLE

2026-02-06T11:54:17+00:00

Food and Agricultural organization (FAO), defined food security as a situation that exists when all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for active and healthy life. Food security is a basic human right. Infact, having access to at least adequate amount of nutritious food could be seen as the most basic of all human right. The paper reviewed the four dimensions of food security, factors that affect food security, indicators for measuring food security, agricultural and food security programs in Nigeria and finally, efforts to improve food security in Nigeria.

AI-DRIVEN LANGUAGE TOOLS AND DIGITAL STORYTELLING IN CLIMATE EDUCATION: BRIDGING SCIENCE, COMMUNICATION, AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE

2026-02-06T11:59:07+00:00

Climate change presents a multifaceted challenge that demands interdisciplinary solutions, particularly in education, language, and digital innovation. This study explores how integrating emerging technologies—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and digital storytelling—can revolutionize climate communication and education. By bridging the gap between environmental science and linguistic innovation, this research examines how AI-driven language tools can enhance public awareness, policy engagement, and behavioral change. Through a case study approach, it highlights the role of interactive digital platforms in simplifying complex climate data, making it more accessible to diverse audiences. Additionally, it investigates the power of creative writing and narrative framing in fostering emotional connections to climate issues. The findings underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between educators, technologists, and environmental researchers in developing innovative strategies that not only inform but inspire action. This research contributes to the evolving discourse on climate change solutions by demonstrating how linguistic and technological advancements can drive sustainable transformation.