Browsing by Author "Mbuvi, Harun Mbatha"

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Clay-Rice Husk Ash based Geopolymers for Remediation of Pb (II) and Cd (II) from Wastewater
(Egerton Journal of Science & Technology., 2019-10-31) Maingi, Francis M.; Mbuvi, Harun Mbatha; Ng'ang'a, M M; Mwangi, Henry
Industrialization and technological advancements have led to the generation of numerous pollutants such as heavy metals into the aquatic ecosystem. These toxic compounds are extremely dangerous to human health and the environment due to their non-biodegradability, severe toxicity, ability to accumulate and contaminate ground and surface waters. Subsequently, pursuance of sustainable materials and technologies for better attainment of environmental sustainability is critical. This study reports the synthesis of geopolymers GP-1, GP-2 and GP-3 from different clays. Geopolymers were hydrothermally synthesized using clay and rice husks waste as an alumina and silica source respectively. The geopolymers were characterized using Fourier transform-infra red, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Batch and gravitational column experiments using Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions were carried out. Increased metal ion uptake was recorded with raised Si/Al ratio of the adsorbents. The mean percentage uptake of 90.23 ± 0.4 and 89.63 ± 0.18 of Pb (II) and Cd (II) were achieved at pH of 4.0 and 5.0 respectively using GP-3. Langmuir, Freundlich and modified Langmuir Freundlich isotherms were used in equilibrium studies. Data for adsorption of Pb (II) and Cd (II) fitted best in the modified Langmuir Freundlich model. The highest adsorption capacities of Pb (II) and Cd (II) were 209.9 and 136.2 mg/g respectively, attained using GP-3. Based on the results obtained, geopolymers produced from common clay and rice husk waste displayed promising potentials in the removal of heavy metal ions from the aqueous phase. Considering the availability of raw materials for geopolymerization and the high metal ions uptake capacities of geopolymers, they can also be used as adsorbents for removal of heavy metals in industrial wastewater.
Effect of potassium dosage on selected growth parameters and yield response modeling on potatoes grown in Molo, Kenya
(Journal of Scientific Agriculture, 2020-10-07) Maingi, Francis M.; Mbuvi, Harun Mbatha
The Molo region of Kenya has experienced decreased potato acreage yields over the years. This has impacted negatively economic endeavors and food security of the region and Kenya at large. A preliminary study on the physical-chemical characterization of the soils indicated that they were deficient in the amount of available potassium. This finding was very important because the majority of the farmers in the region replenish phosphorous and nitrogen but not potassium. Subsequently, the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of replenishing selected farm soils with various potassium levels on the growth and productivity of ‘Shangi’ a variety grown in Molo Sub-county and ultimately determine the soil optimum potassium dose requirement. A field experiment was conducted with seven model-based K fertilizer treatments (0, 33.3, 41.5, 55.3, 133.3, 200 and 266.7 kg K2O/ha) and three replications in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The potassium sorption study was conducted using soil samples as adsorbent while varying the K+ concentration in solution. The data obtained were treated using both linearized and non-linearized Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The optimum potassium fertilizer rate was evaluated using yield response models (Quadratic, linear-plateau, quadratic-plateau, and square root). The results of the study showed that the increase in soil potassium levels led to a significant increase in growth and yield parameters. Aerial stem number, leaf number per plant, and plant height recorded increase with an increase in K levels. The sorption data were found to fit best in linearized Freundlich isotherm based on correlation coefficient values (R2) and error function analysis. The potassium buffering capacity ranged from 13.667-46.068 with a mean of 33.6 ± 17.4mg/Kg. The quadratic model fitted the data better than other models with R2 (0.9559) and SSE (18.237). K2O fertilizer application at 200 Kg/ha maximized the potato tuber yield to 30.111 Ton/ha. The result showed clearly that there is a need to adopt the use of potassium-based fertilizer according to soil requirements in this region to realize good tuber yield.
Physical-Chemical Characterization of Soils in Selected Potato Growing Areas of Molo, Nakuru County Kenya
(SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, 2020-08-07) Maingi, Francis M.; Mbuvi, Harun Mbatha; Abdulhameed, Adamu
Characterization of soils in selected potato growing farms of Molo, Nakuru County in Kenya was compelled by the decline in potatoes acreage yields observed in the study area over the years. In the pursuit of reasons behind the decline, this study determined levels of some key soil fertility indices in soil samples obtained from selected farms. Four farms that have been in intensive potatoes farming were used. The soil was randomly collected from a depth of 0-10 cm separately for all the investigated sites. Collected site-wise samples were air-dried, ground, and passed through a 2 mm sieve and stored in plastic containers ready for analysis. Analytical techniques employed were Walkley black for carbon, Kjeldahl for nitrogen, standard wet chem soil analysis, saturation method for water porosity, glass electrode determined soil pH, bulk density, particle density, water holding capacity were determined by methods of Keen box. The mean levels of essential soil fertility indices obtained were; soils pH (5.46 ± 0.43), soil bulk density (g/cm3) (1.03 ± 0.01), particle density (2.51 ± 0.08), water holding capacity (%) (36.07 ± 2.57), porosity (0.59 ± 0.01), exchangeable cations (uS/cm) (83.63 ± 14.22), cation exchange capacity (meq/100g) (18.48 ± 0.89), organic carbon (%) (3.50 ± 0.24), total nitrogen (%) (0.17 ± 0.03). Mean micro and macronutrients available (mg/Kg) were; phosphorous (7.11 ± 2.77), potassium (100.27± 8.32), calcium (198.2 ± 35.1), magnesium (20.97 ±4.28), manganese (15.26 ± 1.12), sulphur (2.31 ± 1.88), copper (0.59 ± 0.12), boron (0.38 ± 0.07), zinc (12.96 ± 2.04), sodium (8.61 ± 0.51), iron (147.92 ± 4.10). These findings reveal the extent of some fertility indices depletion in the soils and will form a base for decreased acreage yield of potatoes in this region. The results further form the baseline for future research on the working acreage of key soil fertility indices required for remediation.