Land Pollution Assessment from Slaughterhouses Waste Discharge in Port Harcourt

Aim: The study aimed at evaluating pollutants present in soil due to slaughterhouse wastewater discharge into surrounding land mass as well as comparing land deposition as an alternative means of discharge.

Study Design: The study design was based on Investigative Survey Research Approach (ISRA). The ISRA for obtaining data entailed schedule of series of visits to slaughterhouse facilities. The tasks accomplished during such visits included the following: Inspection and witnessing processing operations within and around the sampled slaughterhouses; interviewing relevant and competent staff of the slaughterhouses and residents living in areas close to the slaughterhouses; Collection of soil samples at specified depth intervals within the discharge points of selected land based slaughterhouses for laboratory analysis.

Methodology: A total of twelve composite samples were collected from three different land discharged locations. Three composite samples each were collected from the sampling locations at a depth of 0 to 10 cm, 10 to 20 cm, 20 to 30 cm and 30 to 40 cm. Four composite samples each were collected for analysis from the three sampling locations on specified sampling dates. The samples were then placed in sterile polythene bags and transported to the laboratory for processing.

Results: A high build-up of heavy metal concentration was observed in soil samples from all the sampled locations across their examined depths. Mn had the highest average concentration across the depths followed by Zn, Pb and Cd as shown from sampled results of LA1, LA2 and LA3. The average concentrations of Mn, Zn, Pb, and Mn decreased across the depths for all examined sites except for a truncated build-up of Zn and Mn at depths 30-40cm and 10-20 cm respectively.

Conclusion: From the results obtained therefore, it was revealed that effluent/solid wastes generated from the slaughterhouse is highly polluted and has a huge effect in nutrient build-up, hence, there is an urgent need for basic treatment of wastes before discharge to land.