Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Abattoir Effluents on Groundwater Quality in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
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Abstract
This study examines the impact of the physicochemical properties of abattoir effluents on groundwater quality in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, over 12 months. In doing this, forty-nine (49) water samples (comprising 48 groundwater samples and 1 surface water sample) were collected between May 2023 and April 2024 from 4 abattoirs, namely Iwofe, Eagle Island, Eliozu, and Woji (i.e., 4 sampling points) and the Control (1500m away from the Iwofe abattoir). Physicochemical parameters like pH, conductivity, temperature, salinity, DO, TDS, and turbidity were measured in-situ, while COD, BOD, alkalinity, and hardness were determined through laboratory analysis and compared with the Control. The study revealed that the pH, EC, and TDS range fell within NSDWQ (2008) standard for drinking water quality. Also, in both seasons, turbidity levels at all abattoir sites were extremely high (49.08-71.17 NTU), far above the 5 NTU standard, indicating heavy contamination from suspended particles like blood and solid waste. Alkalinity exceeded the 20 mg/l benchmark at Eliozu and Eagle Island, suggesting carbonate presence likely from organic waste. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels were elevated at all sites, indicating organic pollution from decomposing waste. The study recommended amongst others that the Ministry of Environment should ensure stricter enforcement of environmental regulations by implementing effluent treatment systems at abattoir sites, and introducing year-round groundwater quality monitoring programmes, to prevent environmental degradation, safeguard groundwater resources and ensure sustainable public health outcomes in Port Harcourt.
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