Effects of ABSUTH Wastewater on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

Authors

  • V. A. Chukwu
  • V. O. Nwaugo
  • K. V. Ajunwa

Keywords:

Wastewater, Soil, Contamination, Human health

Abstract

The effects of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba wastewater on soil physicochemical properties in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria was investigated using standard procedures. The level of pH of the wastewater from the hospital varied between 6.0±0.0 to 6.82±1.4 for the control water and wastewater samples from the collation point respectively. The pH values of the soil samples range from 7.0±0.0 to 10.5±0.3. Average temperature of wastewater samples investigated varied from 30.1±0.00C for laboratory wastewater samples, 28.60±3.40C for laundry wastewater samples, 30.20±0.10C for mortuary wastewater samples, 32.50±1.80C for collation point wastewater samples and 24.50±0.90C for the control water. The temperature range of the soil samples varied between 28.6±2.4to 30.7±1.1 for the control soil sample (unpolluted soil sample) and the soil samples from the point of discharge of the waste water. Dissolved oxygen (DO) values for all the sampling points varied between 1.90±0.9mg/l to 6.4±0.5mg/l for the laboratory waste water and collation point waste water samples. The concentrations of heavy metals in the waste water samples and soil samples as revealed in this study shows varying concentrations of the heavy metals. Physiochemical parameters of the wastewater and soil samples studied revealed that the hospital wastewater and the soil samples showed some parameters whose values are higher than the WHO standards. Others fall within the WHO acceptable limits. There is therefore, contamination of the soil environment as a result of the discharged hospital wastewater, which could probably be hazardous to human health.

References

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Published

2015-12-18

How to Cite

Chukwu, V. A., Nwaugo, V. O., & Ajunwa, K. V. (2015). Effects of ABSUTH Wastewater on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(6). Retrieved from https://www.ajouronline.com/index.php/AJAS/article/view/3400

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 6 (2015): December 2015

Section

Articles

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