Environmental Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations of Colocasia Esculenta L., Vernonia Amygdalina Del. And Amaranthus Spinosus L. And Soils Collected Around Some Abattoirs in Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
Wastes from abattoirs may have significant effects on the soil and the surrounding plants in Lagos State of Nigeria where there are poor abattoir practices. Thus, this study aimed at assessing some heavy metals’ concentrations of Colocasia esculenta, Vernonia amygdalina and Amaranthus spinosus and soils collected around some selected abattoirs in Lagos State, Nigeria. Samples of C. esculenta, V. Amygdalina, A. Spinosus and soils were obtained from three different abattoirs in three local government areas of Lagos State. Heavy metal analysis was done on plants and soil samples using standard analytical procedures and mean-standard-deviation were used for analysis. Analysis of heavy metal revealed the concentration range of Lead (Pb) [0.001-0.053mg/100g]; Cadmium (Cd) [0.001-0.008mg/100g]; Manganese (Mn) [0.006-0.053mg/100g]; Cobalt (Co) [0.003-0.007mg/100g], Nickel (Ni) [0.001-0.003mg/100g]; Zinc (Zn) [0.246-0.7441 mg/100g] and Chromium (Cr) value was 0.001mg/100g in three vegetables across the three abattoirs. Also, the soil analysis showed that the concentrations range of Pb [0.110-0.123mg/100g]; Cd [0.017-0.019mg/100g]; Mn [0.340-0.695mg/100g]; Cr [0.001-0.004mg/100g]; Co [0.011-0.013mg/100g]; Ni [0.005-0.006mg/100g] and Zn [1.104-1.267mg/100g]. These metallic concentrations were below or within metallic limits set by World Health Organization and thus, are safe for consumption at time of this study. However, efforts should be made to reduce these metals in order to prevent abattoirs’ effluents accumulation. This study therefore suggest that abattoir effluents should be correctly channelled and controlled into cesspit or treated to avoid plants and surrounding soils’ heavy metal build-up.
Keywords: Abattoir, Colocasia esculenta, Heavy Metal, Vernonia amygdalina Amaranthus spinosus and soils, Waste.
Physico-Chemical Parameters of Woji Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The water quality of Woji Creek of Rivers State, Nigeria, were study between November 2015 to May 2016. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in all the parameters recorded. The values recorded ranged from 7.13 ± 0.42 to 7.58 ± 0.67 (pH), 30.02 ± 1.52oC to 31.03 ± 1.92oC (Temperature), 6.34 ± 5.13mg/L to 9.65 ± 7.91mg/L (Alkalinity), 7.81mg/L ± 3.56mg/L to 12.74mg/L ± 4.79mg/L (Salinity), 6.41mg/L ± 3.20mg/L to 8.4mg/L ± 3.62mg/L (flow Velocity), 15.31mg/L ± 7.19mg/L to 29.31mg/L ± 15.58mg/L (Conductivity), 10.06mg/L ± 4.74mg/L to 15.08mg/L ± 4.51mg/L (TDS), 3.25mg/L ± 2.33mg/L to 7.59mg/L ± 11.30mg/L (TSS), 2.21mg/L + 0.72mg/L to 2.85mg/L ± 2.92 (BOD), 11.96mg/L ± 3.98mg/L to 14.78mg/L ± 3.74mg/L (COD) and Dissolved Oxygen (3.64mg/L ± 1.30mg/L to 7.00mg/L ± 2.33mg/L). There were obvious fluctuation in the ecological variables (p < 0.05) except DO concentrations that were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The physico-chemical parameters of Woji Creek were favourable for fish production although some were to a large extent above the WHO limits. The study revealed that environmental regulatory bodies can achieve good water quality by protecting the water bodies from negative impacts of abattoir and domestic wastes, industrial effluent and refuse through satisfactory wastewater treatment and management practices such as waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
Keywords: Abattoir, Sediments, Temperature, refuse and recycling
Status of Discharged Abattoir Effluent and Its Effects on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Orogodo River, Delta State, Nigeria (Published)
The discharge of untreated wastewater into waterbodies results in water quality deterioration of the receiving waters. This study assesses the impact of abattoir wastewater discharge on the water quality of Orogodo River in Nigeria. Effluent discharges and water samples were collected from river at six points over a 6-month period. Physicochemical analyses were conducted using standard methods. The pH was within a fixed band of 5.56 – 8.04. The downstream biochemical oxygen demand of the receiving river water increased significantly to 75% in July and up to 192% in December. Suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and total phosphorus followed a similar trend. Dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, also increased appreciably. The downstream levels of these parameters were higher than their corresponding upstream values, indicating that the discharge of the abattoir wastewater into the river has negatively impacted the river water. The dilution of the waste in the river water was not enough to reduce them to acceptable levels. This study demonstrates that abattoir wastewater impacts Orogodo River water negatively. The abattoir effluent did not meet the National standard for effluent discharge into the environment leading to cross pollution of the receiving water based on the parameters investigated. This therefore, calls for the need to put an effective wastewater treatment and monitoring system in place to enforce existing legislations to curb water pollution and to safeguard both the environment and human health.
Keywords: Abattoir, Impact, Orogodo, Pollution, Water Quality, physico - chemical, wastewater
