Assessment of the impact of abattoir activities on the physicochemical properties of soils within a residential area of Omu-Aran, Nigeria.

Abstract

Waste effluents from abattoirs have been documented to have harmful effects on the soil media. There is little information about the level of contamination by abattoir effluents on the soil media in Omu-Aran. This study therefore assessed soil samples for possible contamination of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals from different points and some meters away from the mini abattoir in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. Soil samples which are 18 in number were collected from the soil around wells which are owned by individuals and a well designated as Control situated at distances which vary and different elevations to the abattoir. The physicochemical parameters of the soil samples were obtained by applying the standard methods. The analysis of data was achieved using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The mean values of parameters in the soil samples collected around the studied wells ranged from 31.00±2.00-110.03±8.72 mg/L and 7.21±0.02-7.83±0.02 for electrical conductivity and pH respectively. Chloride, nitrate and phosphate had values of 6.37±0.13-9.13±0.21 mg/L, 3.67±0.07-4.50±0.31 mg/L and 3.86±0.07-5.41±0.30 mg/L respectively. However, average values for heavy metals (Ni, Cr and Pb) though slightly higher than the control site, were above permissible limits. Activities within Omu-Aran Abattoir impacts negatively on the surrounding arable soils; therefore, pollution control procedures which are sustainable should be implemented for abattoirs situated in residential areas.