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VOL. 5, ISSUE 2 (2023)
Impact of abattoir waste effluent on water bodies: A Case Study of Ugwuoba Abattoir Activites on Ezu River, Enugu state, Nigeria
Authors
Okoye Collins Kenechukwu, Ogunjiofor Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Okoye Elochukwu Chidubem Sunday, Okoye Lydia Chidimma
Abstract
The discharge of high-strength wastewater into water bodies results in
deterioration of water quality of the receiving water. This study investigated
the impact of abattoir waste effluents of Ugwuoba abattoir on Ezu River, Ugwuoba
Enugu State, Nigeria. The study examined the physicochemical and
bacteriological parameters of the water samples and its health impacts on Gariki
residents and environs, and also compared the values with the WHO and FEPA
standards. Six sampling points (designated as Points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) each
located 30-40m apart, from the abattoir facility to the course of the river
were selected for the study. Physicochemical and bacteriological analyses were
done using standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater and multiple
tube fermentation methods respectively. The physicochemical results obtained showed
that pH (6.66–7.78), salinity (29.80–40.84 PSU), electrical conductivity (148.10–274.76
uS/cm), total dissolved solids (23.90–112.40 mg/L), chloride (2.02–10.01 mg/L),
sodium (7.60–9.88 mg/L), calcium (4.99–6.08 mg/L), nitrate (0.00–4.36 mg/L)
except at P1 (22.7 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (48.0–234.7 mg/L) except at P1
(234.70 mg/L) and all heavy metals were within the WHO and FEPA standards,
whereas the colour (411–980 PCU), turbidity (20.53–87.33 NTU) and biological
oxygen demand (117.8–280 mg/L) were above the standards. Bacteriological analysis
results showed that the total coliform count (2.6x103 – 8.2x104
MPN/100mL), faecal coliform count (2.3x102 – 4.6x104 MPN/100mL)
and total bacterial count (2.8x103 – 5.2x105 CFU/mL) were
above the WHO and FEPA standards. Seven bacterial isolates were identified: Escherichia
coli, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp.,
Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus.
Using IRSA, 80% of the residents frowned at the foul odours from the abattoir facility
and 65% complained about frequent water-related diseases suffered by them,
especially diarrhoea and dysentery. The water is, therefore, deemed not potable
and poses hazards to public health if consumed without treatment. Blood
collection should be adopted in order to reduce the effluent concentration and
abattoir staff should be properly trained on safe environmental practices.
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Pages:19-25
How to cite this article:
Okoye Collins Kenechukwu, Ogunjiofor Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Okoye Elochukwu Chidubem Sunday, Okoye Lydia Chidimma "Impact of abattoir waste effluent on water bodies: A Case Study of Ugwuoba Abattoir Activites on Ezu River, Enugu state, Nigeria". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 5, Issue 2, 2023, Pages 19-25
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