Caffeine is an important naturally occurring compound that can be degraded by bacteria. Excessive caffeine consumption is known to have some adverse problems. Previously, Leifsonia sp. strain SIU capable of degrading caffeine was isolated from agricultural soil. The bacterium was tested for its ability to degrade caffeine as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. The isolate was encapsulated in gellan gum and its ability to degrade caffeine in the presence of heavy metals was determined. Out of the nine heavy metals tested, Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), and Silver (Ag) had significant effects on caffeine degradation at 1mg/L. Therefore, the concentration of these heavy metals was varied from 0 -1 mg/L to see at what concentration each metal it has effect. Ag and Hg showed effect at 0.1 mg/L with caffeine degradation of 64.05 and 52.17% respectively, while Cu showed effect at 0.8 mg/L with caffeine degradation of 64.74%. These bacterium features make it an ultimate means for caffeine bioremediation. This is the first report of effect of heavy metals on caffeine degradation by immobilised Leifsonia sp. strain SIU.

An experiment to remove lead (II) ions through adsorption from its aqueous solution   using Sugarcane Bagasse Activated carbon (SBAC) was carried out. As one of the ways employ to reduce the high cost of treatment of industrial effluents.  Agricultural wastes could be considered as suitable material for the production of Activated Carbon due it high carbon contents, environmentally friendly and low cost of production. In this work, activated carbon was produced by chemical activation with sulphuric acid (H2SO4) of sugarcane bagasse materials. It was then coated with magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4) prepared by chemical precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ salt from aqueous solution   and tested for its efficiency as an adsorbent for the removal of Lead(II) ion from aqueous solution .The surface morphology, structural and functional groups present were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Shift and disappearance of some adsorption bands in the sugarcane bagasse activated carbon coated with magnetic nanoparticles testify the formation of the composite.  Optical properties were determined using UV Vis spectroscopy shows a wavelength ( of 400nm. Adsorption parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, initial concentration of Lead ion and adsorbent dosage were studied. Neutral medium was the optimum pH condition needed for the removal of lead with the percentage removal efficiency of 91%. It was found to be highly efficient at 0.4g of the dosage and at contact time of 60 minutes. This sugarcane bagasse is useful in adsorbing heavy metal in an aqueous solution

Industrial effluents discharged into the river poses a serious threat to our environment; the research examines the impact of some heavy metals of Kaduna refinery effluent into the Romi River. It asserts the nature of effluent released into the water body and also the impact of effluent on water quality. However the important water quality became relatively slowly as early human could only judge water quality through the physical senses of sight, taste and smell, now a days there is an increase of contamination of natural water bodies by industrial effluents in developing and densely populated countries like Nigeria, because rivers are major means of waste disposal and especially effluents from industries nearby. The data used in this research were generated from direct field measurement of pH, Conductivity, and Turbidity, heavy metal profiles (Chromium & Nickel) from Kaduna Refinery Effluent. The mean concentrations of the metals; chromium, iron, nickel, and zinc with the standard deviation were found to be: < 0.01 ± 0.1 mg/kg, and 0.06 ± 0.1 mg/kg. This study has shown that the mean concentration of chromium and Nickel found to be lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable limits while the concentration values of nickel 0.06 ± 0.1 mg/kg and iron 0.06 ± 0.1 mg/kg as found to be higher than the WHO, acceptable limits of the metals) obtained at the effluent points and this implicate the industry adjacent to the area as one of the sources of heavy metals in the river.

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