The aim of this research was to assess the impact of
abattoir effluents on River Illo in Ota, Nigeria. In order to achieve
this set objective seven sampling locations were chosen along the river
course. The choice of locations was to reflect the variations in concentrations
of the following important parameters of water quality issue: pH, conductivity,
total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical
oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia and nitrate among others.
The choice of these parameters was based on their relative importance
in abattoir effluents composition. Results of analyses revealed impairment
in the quality of River Illo by the wash down from the abattoir activities.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 4.6 mg L-1
while the highest concentrations of TSS and TS of 1026 and 1071.5 mg L-1,
respectively were obtained at the point of abattoir effluents discharge.
The BOD mean value of 312.9 mg L-1 obtained for the river water
is far above the highest permissible value of 30 mg L-1 allowed
by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency for discharge into receiving
water bodies in Nigeria. The mean value of 783 mg L-1 obtained
for the COD of the river body corroborates the pollution of the water
body. The current water quality status of River Illo from the discharge
of abattoir effluents therefore poses both environmental and health hazards
to users. In order to redress this and ensure public health safety, River
Illo needs adequate treatment before use. PDFFulltextXMLReferencesCitation
How to cite this article
D.O. Omole and E.O. Longe, 2008. An Assessment of the Impact of Abattoir Effluents on River Illo, Ota, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 1: 56-64.