Physicochemistry and Heavy Metal Characteristics of Waste Products from Abattoir Activities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

The upsurge of abattoir operations as a result of the rise in demand for meat protein has led to a corresponding increase in waste generation. These wastes are often channelled into nearby streams with little or no treatment which exposes aquatic organisms to the resultant consequences of this waste deposition. This study was thus aimed at determining the physicochemical quality of some abattoir samples in Port Harcourt city. Soil, faecal matter, wastewater, waste blood and service water samples from the Iwofe, Rumuodomaya and Trans-Amadi abattoirs were collected within a period of one year and the pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), sulphate, chloride, temperature, nitrate, ammonia and heavy metals quantities including chromium, lead, zinc, cobalt, copper and cadmium were determined using standard techniques. The study recorded high BOD5 and COD values from the blood, faecal matter, soil and wastewater samples while service water samples had values within the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality limits. Seasonal variations in the physicochemical parameters of the samples collected both in the wet and dry seasons were observed. The pH values ranged from 6.2-8.5, BOD5 of blood, faecal matter soil and wastewater ranged from 2124-4349 mg/l while the COD ranged from 2715-8820 mg/l. In Rumuodomaya, the BOD5 and COD ranged from 2276-2727 mg/l and 2583-3245 mg/l respectively while samples from Trans-Amadi abattoir had values for BOD5 and COD ranging from 2253-4330 mg/l and 2931-4597 mg/l, respectively. Nitrate, chromium, cadmium, zinc, cobalt, lead and copper contents in the different locations varied statistically at α-0.05 while no significant difference was observed for pH, ammonia, temperature, COD, BOD5, sulphate and chloride contents at α=0.05. The BOD5 and COD of waste blood, wastewater, soil and faecal matter recorded values that were above permissible limits for service water and therefore raises concern for the aquatic life being threatened by these effluents as the amount of dissolved oxygen available for them will be reduced as a pollution of the immediate environment, if these generated wastes are not treated before disposal.

Enhancing Phytoremediation of Bauxite Mine Subsoil by Jatropha curcas L. using Sewage Sludge and Poultry Sludge

“…On the contrary, sewage sludge had a greater impact on the bioavailability of Fe and Zn, where the highest concentration was recorded in SS50, with values of 1611.47 and 4665.33 mg/kg, respectively. Poultry sludge has been reported to have the potential to enrich the heavy metal concentration in soils as it contains fairly rich amounts of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), Fe, nickel (Ni), Pb and Zn [29,30,31]. Application of sewage sludge also could increase the concentration and bioavailability of heavy metals like Cu, manganese (Mn), Ni, Pb and Zn in direct proportion to the rate of application [32,33].…”

Environmental impact assessment of abattoirs in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…The application of slaughterhouses to soil amendment can increase nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous, and at the same lead to higher levels of heavy metals in the soil. Azuonwu et al [16] in their study revealed that abattoir wastewater led to an increase in the concentrations of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium. Sanda et al [17] in their study of heavy metals in soil and water linked to the operations of abattoirs in Kano detected the presence of manganese, nickel, chromium, arsenic, copper and zinc, which they found to be higher in concentrations in soil than in water, as a result of the retention action in soil over time.…”