A REPORT ON

FIELD COURSE I (BIO 441)

WRITTEN BY

JEREMIAH PENTACOST

LSC/2020/13118

SUMMITED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY,

FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES,

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSINMA, KATSINA STATE.

FEBRUARY,2024.
CONTENTS
GENERAL INTRODUCTION...........................................................................5

1.1. AIMS OF FIELD TRIP............................................................................. 5

1.2. OBJECTIVES OF FIELD TRIP............................................................... 6

1 : CHALLAWA WATER PLANT, KANO

2.0. INTRODUCTION:.................................................................................... 7

2.1. WATER TREATMENT..............................................................................7

2.2. STAGES IN WATER TREATMENT......................................................8

2.2.1. AERATION................................................................................................9

2.2.2. SCREENING............................................................................................10

2.2.3. COAGULATION.....................................................................................10

2.2.4. FLOCCULATION....................................................................................11
2.2.5. SEDIMENTATION..................................................................................11
2.2.6. FILTRATION . ......................................................11
2.2.7. DISINFECTION…... .
[Link] ..…… .12
2: CENTER OF DRYLAND AGRICULTURE BUK, KANO
3.0. CROP PRODUCTION:....… .....15
3.1. IRRIGATION....15
[Link] ...15

[Link]& AND
SERVICES....................................................................16

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REFERENCES ... . … 21
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Field Trip is any planned journey for one or more students away from School
premises , which is under the supervision of an instructural staff members and
integral fact of course of study. Based on the above definition, the field trip has
been designed for 400L students by the Department of Microbiology for student of
BSc. Microbiology of FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSINMA to learn collection
of samples and collect some of the samples for identification. The field course is a
course design for students to know how to carry out various Sampling methods;
Random sampling, Transect and Systematic sampling, Methods of collection of
water samples for Physiochemical analysis, Collection and preservation of
plankton, benthos and periphyton, sampling methods for terrestrial and aquatic
invertebrates and vertebrates, Sampling in grass and woodlands, Practical field
trips on sampling techniques.

1.1 AIMS OF THE FIELD TRIP

 To help students to relate classroom experiences to the reality of the world
outside the school.
 To afford students the opportunity to EXPLORE and STUDY rare situation
and the processes outside the classroom.

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 To supplement and enrich classroom procedures by providing learning

experiences in an environment outside the school.
 To arouse new interest amongst students.

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD TRIP

 To inculcate in the students an observation skill through data sampling.
 To acquire useful application of the enquiry based on learning approach
where data and information are converted into useful knowledge,
developing a case study of various natural land forms in an environment.
 To provide valuable, qualitative and effective learning experiences this
would encourage different thinking about the interaction between species
and their environment.
 To collect specific examples that will substantiate generic explanation of
processes and landforms in physical environment.
 To develop technical competency by observing, collecting, interpreting,
recording and evaluating geographic information from primary sources
through field work. E.g. water testing at Ajiwa dam.

The trip main aims were to visits the following places:

 Challawa water treatment plant Kano state
  Centre of Dryland Agriculture(COA) Kano

DAY 1: CHALLAWA TREATMENT PLANT KANO BREIF HISTORY

2.0. INTRODUCRTION

Challawa water treatment was announce as a project work in 2007, which supply
about 13 local government with treated water, Challawa Water Treatment Plant has
the capacity to deliver 150 million liters of potable water per day to the city of
Kano and surrounding areas. The raw water is sourced from the Kano River, and
treated using conventional treatment processes to produce potable water that
readily exceeds World Health Organization ’s minimum requirements for drinking
water.
The raw water intake and pump station are situated on the south bank of the Kano
River. Six 160kW submersible pumps (four duty, two standby) supply the raw
water to the inlet tower of the clarifiers. Pre-chlorine and pre-soda ash are dosed
immediately into the inlet tower when required.

Alum (AL2SO4) is dosed via dedicated bags for each of the six flat-bottom
clarifiers. The excess sludge in each clarifier overflows into twelve collector
hoppers, which are dislodged periodically using pneumatically actuated valves that
are controlled by timed solenoids. Four 90kW vertical turbine pumps (three duty,

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one standby) are available for backwashing, while three air blowers (two duty, one
standby) facilitate air scouring of the filter media.

Post-chlorine and post-soda ashes are dosed before the treated water enters the
contact tanks, which is located after the common filter outlet channel. 3 x 20kg/hr
injectors provide gas chlorine dosing for combined pre- and post-chlorine. After
the contact tanks, the water flow into the reservoir, from where it is directly
connected to the suction manifold of the clear water pump station.

Six 980kW axially split volute casing pumps (four duties, two standbys) deliver the
final water into the distribution network.

2.1. WATER TREATMENT

Water treatment is the process of removing all those substances, whether

biological, chemical or physical, which is potentially harmful in water supply for
human and domestic use. This treatment helps to produce water that is safe,
palatable, clear, colorless and odorless. Water also needs to be non-corrosive,
meaning it will not cause damage to pipework.

In urban areas, many people live close together and they all need water. This
creates a demand for large volumes of safe water to be supplied reliably and
consistently, and this demand is growing. As urban populations increase, there is a
need to find new sources to meet the growing demand. If groundwater is available
this can often be used with minimal treatment but any surface water source will
need to be treated to make it safe. For towns and cities, the water supply is then
best provided by large mechanized water treatment plants that draw water from a
large river or reservoir, using pumps. (‘Mechanized’ means that machines, such as
pumps and compressors, are used). The treated water is then distributed by
pipelines.

The size of the treatment plant required is determined by the volume of water
needed, which is calculated from the number and type of users and other factors.

2.2. STAGES OF WATER TREATMENT

The stages involved in water treatment include;

 Aeration
 Screening
 Coagulation
 Flocculation
 Sedimentation
 Filtration
 Disinfection

There are often seven steps in water treatment for urban municipal water supply
(Abayneh, 2004). The water utility (the organization that runs the treatment plants
and water distribution system) will ensure by regular analysis of the water that it
adheres to the quality standards for safe water.

2.2.1. AERATION

The water is aerated (supplied with air) by passing it over a series of steps so that it
takes in oxygen from the air. This helps expel soluble gases such as carbon dioxide
and hydrogen sulphide (both of which are acidic, so this process makes the water
less corrosive) and also expels any gaseous organic compounds that might give an
undesirable taste to the water. It also removes iron and manganese by oxidation of

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these substances to their insoluble form. Iron and manganese can cause peculiar
tastes and can stain clothing. Once in their insoluble forms, these substances can be
removed by filtration.

In certain instances excess algae in the raw water can result in algal growth
blocking the sand filter further down the treatment process. In such situations,
chlorination is used in place of, or in addition to, aeration to kill the algae, and this
is termed pre-chlorination. This comes before the main stages in the treatment of
the water. (There is a chlorination step at the end of the treatment process, which is
normal in most water treatment plants). The pre-chlorination also oxidizes taste
and odor-causing compounds.

2.2.2. SCREENING

To protect the main units of a treatment plant and to aid in their efficient operation,
it is necessary to use screens to remove any large floating and suspended solids
that are present in the inflow. These materials include leaves, twigs, paper, rags
and other debris that could obstruct flow through the plant or damage equipment.

2.2.3. COAGULATION

Coagulation is the removal of the fine particles (less than 1 µm in size) that are
suspended in the water. In this process, a chemical called a coagulant (with a
positive electrical charge) is added to the water, and this neutralizes the negative
electrical charge of the fine particles. The addition of the coagulant takes place in a
rapid mix tank where the coagulant is rapidly dispersed by a high-speed impeller.

Since their charges are now neutralized, the fine particles come together, forming
soft, fluffy particles called ‘Flocs’. (Before the coagulation stage, the particles all
have a similar electrical charge and repel each other, rather like the north or south
poles of two magnets). Two coagulants commonly used in the treatment of water
are aluminum sulphate (Alum) and Ferric chloride.

2.2.4. FLOCCULATION

The next step is flocculation, here the water is gently stirred by paddles in a
flocculation basin and the Flocs come into contact with each other to form larger
Flocs.

The flocculation basin often has a number of compartments with decreasing

mixing speeds as the water advances through the basin. This chamber allows
increasingly large flocs to form without being broken apart by the mixing blades.
Chemicals called flocculants can be added to enhance the process. Organic
polymers called polyelectrolytes can be used as flocculants.

2.2.5. SEDIMENTATION

Once large flocs are formed, they settle at the bottom of the tank, and this process
is called sedimentation (when the particles fall to the floor of a settling tank). The
water (after coagulation and flocculation) is kept in the tank for several hours for
sedimentation to take place. The material accumulated at the bottom of the tank is
called sludge.

2.2.6. FILTRATION

Filtration is the process where solids are separated from a liquid. In water
treatment, the solids that are not separated in the sedimentation tank are removed
by passing the water through beds of sand and gravel. Rapid gravity filter are often
used. When the filters are full of trapped solids, they are backwashed. In this
process, clean water and air are pumped backwards up the filter to dislodge the
trapped impurities, and the water carrying the dirt is pumped into the sewage

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system, if there is one. Alternatively, it may be discharged back into the source
river after a settlement stage in a sedimentation tank to remove solids.

2.2.7. DISINFECTION

After sedimentation, the water is disinfected to eliminate any remaining pathogenic

microorganisms. The most commonly used disinfectant (the chemical used for
disinfection) is chlorine, in the form of a liquid (such as sodium hypochlorite,
NaOCl) or a gas. It is relatively cheap, and simple to use. When chlorine is added
to water it reacts with any pollutants present, including microorganisms, over a
given period of time, referred to as the contact time. The amount of chlorine left
after this is called residual chlorine. This stays in the water all the way through the
distribution system, protecting it from any microorganisms that might enter it, until
the water reaches the consumers.

World Health Organization Guidelines (WHO, 2003) suggests maximum residual

chlorine of 5mgl of water. The minimum residual chlorine level should be 0.5mgl
of water after 30 minutes’ contact time (WHO). There are other ways of
disinfecting water (e.g. by using the gas ozone, or ultraviolet radiation) but these
do not protect it from microbial contamination after it has left the water treatment
plant. Following disinfection the treated water is pumped into the distribution
system.
DIAGRAMS IN THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Figure 2.2.1 Sedimentation Chamber

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Figure 2.2.2 Alum solution preparation tank

Figure 2.2.3 Aluminum sulphate

Figure 2.2.4 Aluminum sulphate preparation machine

CENTRE OF DRYLAND AGRICULTURE BUK, KANO. (COA)

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) established the Centre in 2012 as part its
effort towards addressing the development challenges of the dryland areas of
the sub-region. This was borne out of the realization that addressing the
myriad of problems in the WCA drylands requires generation of knowledge
and applied research products that will produce outcomes focused on
reducing poverty, improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food and
nutrition security, improving natural resources and ecosystem services,
mitigating the impacts of climate change, and reducing conflicts and human
migration.

The centre of Dryland Agriculture BUK,has the following units

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3.1. CROP PRODUCTION

[Link]

[Link]

[Link] AND SERVICES

[Link] PRODUCTION

Crop production, is unit on Centre of Dryland Agriculture BUK, it involves

the cultivation and harvesting of plants for food, fiber, and other products. It
is a vital part of the global food system and plays a crucial role in feeding the
world's growing population. Crop production involves a variety of steps,
including choosing the right crops to plant, preparing the soil, planting the
seeds, caring for the plants, and harvesting the crops. After harvest, the crops
are processed and then distributed to consumers. Crop production is a
complex process that requires knowledge of a variety of factors, including soil
health, climate, pest control, and plant genetics.

[Link] (seedlings facility)

Irrigation is the process of artificially applying water to crops and other

plants in order to improve their growth and yield. It is a crucial part of crop
production, as it allows farmers to grow crops in areas that would otherwise
be too dry. There are many different types of irrigation systems, including
surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and subsurface
irrigation. Irrigation System and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in
Vegetable Production for Irrigation Farming Groups in Kano State.
The centre of Dryland Agriculture BUK, specialised on the modern drip
irrigation facilities. It has green houses that are into

> Bursary

>Polynursary

>Insect net

Irrigation or seedlings facility is a nursery house that is protected from direct

[Link] has the following features,exhaust fan,cooling
fan,microsrpringler,terminal net Air (ceiling),coccofit etc.

[Link]

Poultry unit,involves rearing of domesticated bird that is raised for meat,

eggs, or other products, such as feathers. The most common types of poultry
are chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese. In some countries, other birds such as
quail and guinea fowl are also considered to be poultry. Poultry is an
important source of food, providing humans with protein, fat, and other
nutrients. It is also a major source of income for many farmers and countries
around the world. Poultry farming is a complex and specialized industry that
requires careful management to ensure the health and well-being of the birds.

[Link] AND SERVICES

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Maintenance Services Department was established in December 2012, as a

result if the Council decision to restructure the PPD&MS for efficient service
delivery. The Maintenance Services Department (MSD) is responsible for the
maintenance of all physical facilities and infrastructure on all the campuses
and associated estates of the University. The specific responsibilities of the
MSD covers the:

Routine maintenance and repair of all buildings including

re-decoration/painting, roofing and ceiling, plumbing for water
supply/sewerage, electrical & telecommunication services, and furniture.
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REFERENCES

Ryan, A,L, Yeow, A, Swain, L and Webber, T. (2005). Canada – British Columbia

Water Quality Monitoring Agreement: Water sampling procedures, safety and

quality assurance.

WHO Guidelines for drinking-water Quality. (2009). Drinking water control.

JUHEL. (2015, January 14th). JUHEL Nigerian limited uniprojects. Retrieved
March 14, 2016.
Samuel, D., Faust, O.M. (2009) Chemistry of water treatment. 2 nd edition. Ann
Arbor publishing press , Chelsea 22-34.

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