Investigation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Pollution Impact on Groundwater Quality and Agricultural Soils

Abstract

A field study was conducted to investigate palm oil mill effluent (POME) pollution impact on ground water quality and agricultural soils. Raw POME and two water samples were also collected from the downstream and upstream locations away from the effluent discharge point using 1 litre capacity container. This was found less than 100 m from the mill. Soil samples from the POME dumpsite as well as non-POME soil were collected. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, total hardness, turbidity, sulphate, COD, BOD5, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity and percentage saturation for water samples were determined. pH, water holding capacity, total organic carbon (TOC), total organic matter (TOM), total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations: K, Na, Ca, Mg and cation exchange capacity for soil. Data obtained from the study were subjected to statistical analyses of variance (ANOVA). Significant variations exist in most of the physicochemical variables among the sampled parameters. Data for water samples were also compared with world health organization and Nigerian standard for drinking water quality. Most of these parameters indicated pollution but were below the standard limits for consumption. pH, EC, total hardness, turbidity, sulpahte, COD, BOD5, TDS, TSS, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, % saturation were all significant difference from each other. Soil pH, EC, TOC, total nitrogen, available P, TOM, Ca and exchangeable acidity were also all significant difference from each other. It is concluded that a strong move towards quality and environmental management through ecological improvement and cleaner technology approach within manufacturing industries in Nigeria is implemented.

Total and Available Copper and Zinc in Soils Affected by Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Oghareki, Oghara Kingdom, Delta State, Nigeria

“…The POMEaffected soils gave a mean pH value of about 4.5 and are less acidic compared to those of the adjacent non-POME-affected ones with a mean of about 3.9. Maliki et al, (2020) reported similar increase in pH of POME-treated soils compared with that of untreated soils, and is in agreement with the findings of some of the other similar reports which indicated that raw POME, though acidic in reaction, gradually becomes alkaline with time as biodegradation by microbes sets in (Nta et al, 2020;Osubor and Oikeh, 2013;Nwoko and Ukiwe, 2016). The result, however, is in contrast with the findings of Awotoye, et al, (2011) and Chinyere, et al, (2018), both of which showed that the non-POME affected soils were more alkaline than the POME affected soils.…”

“…Osunbor and Oikeh (2013), who reported similar increased conductivity of POME-treated soils, compared to non-POME affected soils. Nta, et al, (2020) also reported highly significantly different values of electrical conductivities between POMEand non-POME soils of Abak Local Government area, AkwaIbom state, Nigeria. Mean values of available phosphorus were respectively, 5.31 and 3.08 mg/dm 3 in POME and non-POME soils, with no significant difference (P<0.05).…”

“…Mean values of available phosphorus were respectively, 5.31 and 3.08 mg/dm 3 in POME and non-POME soils, with no significant difference (P<0.05). Nta et al, (2020) and Chinyere et al, (2018) also reported higher P values for samples of palm oil effluent-receiving soils of South-south and South-east, Nigeria, respectively. However, Osubor and Oikeh (2013) recorded values of available P that showed a reversal of these results; with POMEcontaminated soils recording lower available P. The authors remarked that this could have grave implications for soil P fertility in the soils concerned.Very low values of organic matter of mean 1.02 percent and 0.58 percent in the POME and non-POME affected soils, respectively, were recorded.…”

Study of Palm Oil Mill Effluent for Land Application Suitability in Lamandau Regency, Kalimantan Tengah Province

“…For the Palm Tree planter, it would reduce fertilizer cost significantly while at the same time decrease the volume of wastewater in the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Nevertheless, a land application could potentially harm the environment and causing pollution to groundwater, soil [11], and tributaries especially if the land application site is not suitable; causing POME to disperse uncontrollably. The impact could be more severe depending on the physical characteristic.…”