Assessment of Kara Abattoir Effluent on the Water Quality of Ogun River, Nigeria

Abstract

Direct discharge of abattoir effluents into water bodies contributes to problem of water pollution. This study assessed the impact of Kara Abattoir effluents on Ogun River in Nigeria using standard methods to measure the physiological characteristics and heavy metal levels. The results made it evident that most of the chemical parameters in this study exceeded the accepted standards; phosphate was seen to range between 0.34-109mg/l with a mean value of 27.62mg/l. All the twelve heavy metals observed in the water samples were within acceptable limits. The most alarming result observed is the presence of a “too many to count” range of microbial load and faecal coliform which can be attributable to a major cause of diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and other threat to human health. Ogun River serves as habitat to some organisms; and is also used for domestic activities by nearby communities; hence, urgent policy implementation is required.Keywords: Abattoir, Effluents, Ogun River, Pollution