Status and Effects of Discharged Abattoir Effluent on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Soils in Obinze, Imo State Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the extent of contamination of soil bodies by effluents discharged from abattoirs in Obinze, Imo State Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from 50 m, 100 m, 150 m, 200 m and 250 m from effluent discharge points. Physicochemical and heavy metal analyses were conducted using standard methods. Results obtained showed that the physicochemical properties of the soil samples were affected by the abattoir effluent. The temperature of the samples ranged from 26.10 °C to 26.73°C pH values ranged between 6.71 and 7.21. The mean values of nitrate, phosphate and sulphate levels in the soil ranged between 4.14 to 4.50; 1.55 to 1.76; and 26.00 to 27.33 mg/L which values fell within the WHO limits. pH values were within ranges of 5.56-8.04. The control soil had the lowest concentration of nickel and the results varied significantly from each other with the values slightly above the WHO limits. Mean values of Chromium, Zinc, Copper and Lead were significantly higher at the contaminated sites compared to the control with the values all below the WHO limits. This study demonstrates that abattoir waste water impacts on Obinze soil quality. The abattoir effluent did not meet the WHO standard for effluent discharge into the environment. This therefore, calls for the need to put an effective waste water treatment and monitoring system in place to enforce existing legislation to curb soil pollution and to safeguard both the environment and human health.