ASSESSMENT OF SOIL AND WASTEWATER OF SELECTED ABATTOIR ENVIRONMENTS IN EKITI STATE

Abstract

This research work was carried out to assess the soil and wastewater of some abattoir environments in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The samples were collected from three different Abattoir locations namely; Atikankan Abattoir (Ado - Ekiti), Ikere – Ekiti Abattoir (Ikere - Ekiti) and Iworoko Road Abattoir (Ado - Ekiti) all in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The physicochemical analysis, Heavy metal analysis and Microbial analysis of the soil and the wastewater samples were carried out using standard methods of analysis. The Six Heavy metals analysed for were (Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, Lead and Manganese) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS, VGP210). The result showed that the physicochemical parameters: Turbidity (96.83 – 182.26NTU); Electrical Conductivity (948.67 – 1262.00μScm-1); BOD (527.42 - 640.66mg/L); COD (850.67 - 1033.33mg/L); Phosphate (14.70 - 18.20mg/L) and Nitrate (50.73 - 77.85mg/L) of the abattoir wastewater samples from the three sampling points were above the WHO maximum permissible limit. The heavy metal analysis of the abattoir soil showed that the concentrations of the heavy metal from the three sampling locations fell below the WHO permissible limit while the heavy metal concentration of the abattoir wastewater from the three sampling points revealed that the concentrations of (Cd, Fe, and Pd) were higher than the FAO/WHO permissible limit compared to the concentrations of (Cr, Ni and Mn) which fell below the permissible limit of the standard of the FAO/WHO. The microbial analysis revealed the population of bacteria and fungi in the soil and wastewater samples collected from the three abattoir locations. In general, if the wastewater from these abattoirs is not treated before disposal or discharge into water bodies, it could pose a greater risk on the environment. And the soil of these abattoirs is to some extent still safe for the populace living close to these locations.