EFFECT OF ABATTOIR EFFLUENT ON SOME HEAVY METALS AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF TA’JAN WATER IN OGBAGI AKOKO, ONDO STATE

Abstract

The study examined the effect of abattoir effluent on some physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal content of Ta’jan River in Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State. Water samples were taken once in October and November at seven different locations along the receiving water body at sampling points:S1, S0, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6; S1 (10meters upstream of the point at which effluents enter the stream),S0 (point at which effluents enter the stream) S2 (10 meters downstream of the point of effluent discharge), S3 (20meters downstream of the point of effluent discharge), S3 (30meters downstream of the point of effluent discharge), S4 (40meters downstream of the point of effluent discharge), S5 (50meters downstream of the point of effluent discharge) and S6 (60meters downstream of the point of effluent discharge) along Ta’jan stream. The time of taking the samples were in the morning during slaughter hours.The samples were collected, preserved, and analysed in the laboratory using standard methods. Wastewater parameters analysed were dissolved oxygen, Temperature (TEMPT), conductivity (COND), salinity, turbidity, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, pH, total suspended solid (TSS), total dissolved solid (TDS), and heavy metals, such as iron, lead, copper, and zinc. The downstream levels of most of the parameters were significantly (p<0.05) better than the discharge point. This suggests river Ta’jan has good recovery capacity.The findings can be useful in identifying the water quality problems and how to improve the water body when been diverted into fishponds or used for all other industrial or agricultural purposes in the community.