Elemental and Bacterial Profile of Soils Contaminated by Effluent Originating from Zangon-Shanu Abattoir, Zaria: A Preliminary Investigation

Elemental and microbial properties in contaminated abattoir soils was collected at distances 500m apart and designated as A (distance of 500m from the abattoir), B (1000m from the abattoir), C (1500m from the abattoir) and X (Control soil). Preliminary results revealed samples have favorable pH and temperatures (7.47, 6.60, 7.39, 7.32 and 25 °C, 40 °C, 23 °C and 31 °C) which agrees with set environmental limits by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Elemental analysis revealed % Nitrogen of 1.12, 1.4 and 0.39 and 0.56 for samples A, B, C and X respectively, no limit was set for this parameter. Phosphorus contents recorded were above the NESREA limit, except for sample B. No limit was set for Potassium. Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Chromium and Iron levels were above the NESREA limit, Mg was below the set limit. The result of viable bacterial count in the soil samples analyzed shows high values which ranges between 3.0×106cfu/mL as compared to the relatively low count of 2.4×104 cfu/mL in the control soil. Among the bacteria isolated, Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of occurrence of 27%. Klebsiella pneumonia was the least isolated bacteria with a percentage distribution of 9%. Other bacteria isolated and their respective percentage distribution in the soil samples include Enterococci faecalis (11%), Bacillus species (12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) and Salmonella typhi (17%).