Investigation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Pollution Impact on Groundwater Quality and Agricultural Soils

Abstract

A field study was conducted to investigate palm oil mill effluent (POME) pollution impact on ground water quality and agricultural soils. Raw POME and two water samples were also collected from the downstream and upstream locations away from the effluent discharge point using 1 litre capacity container. This was found less than 100 m from the mill. Soil samples from the POME dumpsite as well as non-POME soil were collected. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, total hardness, turbidity, sulphate, COD, BOD5, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity and percentage saturation for water samples were determined. pH, water holding capacity, total organic carbon (TOC), total organic matter (TOM), total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations: K, Na, Ca, Mg and cation exchange capacity for soil. Data obtained from the study were subjected to statistical analyses of variance (ANOVA). Significant variations exist in most of the physicochemical variables among the sampled parameters. Data for water samples were also compared with world health organization and Nigerian standard for drinking water quality. Most of these parameters indicated pollution but were below the standard limits for consumption. pH, EC, total hardness, turbidity, sulpahte, COD, BOD5, TDS, TSS, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, % saturation were all significant difference from each other. Soil pH, EC, TOC, total nitrogen, available P, TOM, Ca and exchangeable acidity were also all significant difference from each other. It is concluded that a strong move towards quality and environmental management through ecological improvement and cleaner technology approach within manufacturing industries in Nigeria is implemented.