Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Ogbunike Abattoir Wastewater Anambra State, Nigeria for Irrigation Purpose
Chukwura, Edna Ifeoma
Department of Applied Microbiology and brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Uba, Bright Obidinma
Department of Applied Microbiology and brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Dibua, Nwamaka Anthonia
*
Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chude, Charles Onuora
Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Okoye, Elochukwu Chidubem Sunday
Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chikaodili, Chinezie Ubajekwe
Department of Applied Microbiology and brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Eleanya, Lilian Chinyere
Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Agbo, Bernadine Chikodili
Department of Microbiology, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Nwajiobi, Favour Okwukweka
Department of Applied Microbiology and brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The physicochemical and bacteriological properties of abattoir wastewater from Ogbunike abattoir in Anambra State, Nigeria was evaluated to ascertain its fitness for irrigation purposes. Physicochemical parameters which include the heavy metal concentrations, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, colour, total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), turbidity, nitrate, total amount of sulphate, total amount of phosphate, total amount of chloride, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were evaluated according to standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Bacteriological quality of abattoir wastewater was also conducted using standard microbiological methods. Result from the physicochemical analyses showed mean values of 1,431.81pcu for colour, temperature (28.9 oC), pH (6.30), conductivity (4,560 µS/cm), TDS (3,420 mg/L), TSS (367 mg/L), turbidity (13564 NTU), BOD (895 mg/L), COD (4,280 mg/L), phosphate (10.19 mg/L), sulphate (180.85 mg/L), nitrate (77.78 mg/L) and chloride (1,086.75 mg/L). These values exceeded the WHO/NESREA limits for water quality, except pH and temperature with values within the permissible limits. Data from the heavy metal analysis presented mean concentrations of Cadmium (0.111 mg/L), Chromium (0.065 mg/L), Lead (0.738 mg/L), Copper (1.467 mg/L) and Nickel (0.075 mg/L). All the heavy metals analyzed exceeded the WHO/NESREA permissible limits, indicating high levels of pollutant in the wastewater. The abattoir wastewater presented total coliform counts of 8.2 x 105 CFU/100mL. The study revealed that the discharge of effluents from abattoir into the environment poses a great threat to the environment and pretreatment should be carried out before discharge.
Keywords: Abattoir waste, wastewater, water quality, heavy metal, coliform, environmental impact, health impact, irrigation, Ogbunike