1.1 Introduction
Snail and periwinkle shells are abundant in Nigeria. Successful extraction of chitin from these sources would convert seemly waste shells to wealth. The chitin so extracted can find usefulness as fillers in bio-polymer composite materials. These biodegradable and biocompatible composites can be used as temporal fixation materials for bone implants. However, these shells have been reported (Isa et al. 2012) to contain very high amount of CaCO3 and this makes it difficult to obtain high purity chitin derivative from them.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Snails that respire using a lung belong to the group Pulmonata. As traditionally defined, the Pulmonata were found to be polyphyletic in a molecular study per Jörger et al., dating from 2010. But snails with gills also form a polyphyletic group; in other words, snails with lungs and snails with gills form a number of taxonomic groups that are not necessarily more closely related to each other than they are related to some other groups. Both snails that have lungs and snails that have gills have diversified so widely over geological time that a few species with gills can be found on land and numerous species with lungs can be found in freshwater. Even a few marine species have lungs (Wikipedia, 2021).
Snails can be found in a very wide range of environments, including ditches, deserts, and the abyssal depths of the sea. Although land snails may be more familiar to laymen, marine snails constitute the majority of snail species, and have much greater diversity and a greater biomass. Numerous kinds of snail can also be found in fresh water (Wikipedia, 2021).
Most snails have thousands of microscopic tooth-like structures located on a banded ribbon-like tongue called a radula. The radula works like a file, ripping food into small pieces. Many snails are herbivorous, eating plants or rasping algae from surfaces with their radulae, though a few land species and many marine species are omnivores or predatory carnivores. Snails cannot absorb colored pigments when eating paper or cardboard so their feces are also colored (Wikipedia, 2021).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Investigation of Thermal Conductivity of Periwinkle and Snail Shells.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the waste generated by periwinkle shells can result in a substantial environmental problem resulting in severe sanitation and public concern if not properly disposed. This review has highlighted the environmental concerns associated with the indiscriminate disposal of the periwinkle shells and the various reuse options for the shells.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to the Investigate of Thermal Conductivity of Periwinkle and Snail Shells. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the Thermal Conductivity of Periwinkle Shells,
- To synthesize the current body of knowledge in the research area to help present a proper perspective to periwinkle shell utilization.
- To investigate the possibility of removing CaCO3 from snail and periwinkle shells,
- To study the progress of deacetylation of chitin from these sources by monitoring structural changes as the concentration of the reagents are changed.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the Thermal Conductivity of Periwinkle Shells?
- What is the possibility of removing CaCO3 from snail and periwinkle shells?
- What are the progress of deacetylation of chitin from these sources by monitoring structural changes as the concentration of the reagents are changed?
1.6 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Investigation of Thermal Conductivity of Periwinkle and Snail Shells.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
