Understanding Tree Species Biodiversity Around Seasonal Water Bodies in Eastern Sudan

This study provides a comparative evaluation of the physical properties and chemical speciation of bitumen samples from Agbabu and Loda in the Ilaje area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Physical analyses included bitumen content, sand content, penetration, specific gravity, Marshall Stability, and viscosity at 60°C. Agbabu bitumen demonstrated superior durability, with bitumen content of 79.80% ± 0.01 and sand content of 10.90% ± 0.01, compared to 46.50% ± 0.01 and 53.10% ± 0.01 in Loda bitumen. Penetration values were similar (44.50 ± 0.02 for Agbabu and 45.30 ± 0.01 for Loda), while specific gravity, Marshall Stability, and viscosity were generally higher in Agbabu, indicating better physical performance. Chemical analysis revealed higher concentrations of heavy metals—including Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, Zn, and Fe—in Loda bitumen, with iron notably elevated in both samples (9,201.25 ± 0.20 mg/kg for Agbabu and 10,700.07 ± 0.50 mg/kg for Loda). Fractionation studies showed that iron predominantly occurred in the residue fraction, whereas heavy metals in Loda displayed low affinity for the organic fraction. Comparisons with previous studies suggest that observed differences may reflect variations in extraction and analytical methods. These results highlight the distinct physical and chemical characteristics of bitumen from the two sources, with implications for industrial applications and environmental management