Philippine E-Journals

Assessment of the Impact of Abattoir Waste on Ikpoba River Water Quality, Benin City Nigeria

EMEKA B. OGBUENE | EBENEZER A. ESEILE | Andrew M Oroke | CHUKWUMA A. EZE | CHINONSO O. EDE | CRISTAH JEAN J ALMONTE

 

Abstract:

The presence of anthropogenic inputs has seriously affected the quality of available water in the environment. In this view, the effect of the discharge of abattoir waste on water quality of the Ikpoba River was investigated. Surface water samples were collected from ten (10) designated locations on the River and analyzed for Physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters. Using standard procedures. The results of physicochemical parameters obtained were ranges as follow: pH (5.4 to 6.3), Electrical Conductivity (10-90µS/cm), Total Dissolved Solids (50.3-88.3mg/l), Total Suspended Solids (10-39mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (6.01-14.04mg/l), Dissolved Oxygen (2.07-4.29mg/l), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (4.02-6.17mg/l), Sulphate (0.10-0.51mg/l), Chloride (10.0618.24mg/l), Calcium (0.80-22.64mg/l), Magnesium (0.49-3.4mg/l), Phosphate (0.16-0.45mg/l), Nitrate (3.12-5.78mg/l), Ammonia (0.86-1.59mg/l), Iron (0.34-0.85mg/l), Copper (0.07-0.51mg/l) and Zinc (0.07-1.41mg/l). The total microbial count ranged from 2×103 to 21×103CFU/ml and 1×103CFU/ ml to 12×103CFU/ml for the bacterial and fungal isolates respectively. Total coliform counts spans from 3×103 to 16×103MPN/100ml.The microorganisms isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epididymis, Klebsiella mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes, Micrococcus luteus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicilliumnotatum, Mucormucedo, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The statistics show that there was no significant difference in the physicochemical parameters of various stations of the river water samples when compared (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in the bacteriological parameters of various stations of the river water samples (P<0.05). Hence the water quality of Ikpoba river water poses serious health to human health. It is recommended that abattoir be monitored for compliance with hygienic requirements and sanitary regulations governing the operations of the abattoir.