Physicochemical, Heavy Metals and Microbiological Assessment of Wastewater in Selected Abattoirs in Ekiti State, Nigeria Service Unavailable

This study was on the assessment of wastewater in three selected abattoir environments in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The selected abattoirs are Atikankan Abattoir, Ikere – Ekiti Abattoir and Iworoko Road Abattoir. Wastewater samples were collected in the three locations. The physicochemical, heavy metal analysis, and microbial analysis of the samples were carried out using standard methods. The six heavy metals analyzed were (Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, Lead, and Manganese) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS, VGP۲۱۰). The result showed that the physicochemical parameters: Turbidity (۹۶.۸۳ – ۱۸۲.۲۶ NTU); Electrical Conductivity (۹۴۸.۶۷ – ۱۲۶۲.۰۰ μScm-۱); BOD (۵۲۷.۴۲ - ۶۴۰.۶۶ mg/L); COD (۸۵۰.۶۷ - ۱۰۳۳.۳۳ mg/L); Phosphate (۱۴.۷۰ - ۱۸.۲۰mg/L) and Nitrate (۵۰.۷۳ - ۷۷.۸۵ mg/L) samples collected were above the WHO maximum permissible limits. Heavy metal analysis of the samples revealed that the concentrations of (Cd, Fe, and Pd) were higher than the FAO/WHO permissible limits while those of Cr, Ni, and Mn were within the safe limits. The microbial analysis revealed a high population of bacteria and fungi from all the samples collected from the three locations. In general, if the wastewater from these abattoirs is not treated before being discharged into water bodies, it could pose a great health risk to the environment.This study was on the assessment of wastewater in three selected abattoir environments in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The selected abattoirs are Atikankan Abattoir, Ikere – Ekiti Abattoir and Iworoko Road Abattoir. Wastewater samples were collected in the three locations. The physicochemical, heavy metal analysis, and microbial analysis of the samples were carried out using standard methods. The six heavy metals analyzed were (Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, Lead, and Manganese) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS, VGP۲۱۰). The result showed that the physicochemical parameters: Turbidity (۹۶.۸۳ – ۱۸۲.۲۶ NTU); Electrical Conductivity (۹۴۸.۶۷ – ۱۲۶۲.۰۰ μScm-۱); BOD (۵۲۷.۴۲ - ۶۴۰.۶۶ mg/L); COD (۸۵۰.۶۷ - ۱۰۳۳.۳۳ mg/L); Phosphate (۱۴.۷۰ - ۱۸.۲۰mg/L) and Nitrate (۵۰.۷۳ - ۷۷.۸۵ mg/L) samples collected were above the WHO maximum permissible limits. Heavy metal analysis of the samples revealed that the concentrations of (Cd, Fe, and Pd) were higher than the FAO/WHO permissible limits while those of Cr, Ni, and Mn were within the safe limits. The microbial analysis revealed a high population of bacteria and fungi from all the samples collected from the three locations. In general, if the wastewater from these abattoirs is not treated before being discharged into water bodies, it could pose a great health risk to the environment.

Keywords:

Abattoir , Wastewater , Heavy metals , Microbial analysis