Assessment of Some Physicochemical, Bacteriological and Heavy Metals Properties of Effluent from a Chemical Industry in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Some physicochemical, heavy metals and bacteriological parameters of effluent samples from a chemical industry in Niger Delta, Nigeria, in two sampling seasons (Wet and Dry seasons) were assessed in this work using standard methods of analysis. Results of the physico-chemical parameters obtained from the effluent samples of both seasons revealed that most of the dry season’s values were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the wet season values. Physico-chemical values obtained for pH, conductivity, TSS, turbidity and Sulphate in both the wet and dry seasons’ effluent water samples were higher than their respective Nigeria Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and/or World Health Organisation (WHO) standard values. Dry season’s TDS (4378.00 ± 0.00 mg/l) and phosphate (3.88 ± 0.65 mg/l) values obtained were higher than their respective DPR and WHO limit values. Bacteriological result revealed high T. coliform count of 16.67 ± 2.08 (MPN/100ml) for the wet season’s effluent water which was higher than the DPR and/or WHO standard values. Heavy metals results of the effluent water samples in both seasons were all at a ‘not detectable’ levels except for Zn (wet and dry season). Results of the average values of the seasonal physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of the effluent water samples showed that the average values of pH (10.25 ± 0.40), conductivity (4520.09 ± 41.06 µS/cm), TDS (2459.00 ± 12.13 mg/l), TSS (124.00 ± 32.69 mg/l), turbidity (110.85 ± 37.47 NTU), sulphate (434.50 ± 77.51 mg/l) and T. coliform (8.34 ± 1.04 MPN/100ml) obtained were significantly higher (p<0.05) than their corresponding DPR and/or WHO limit values. This study concludes that there were some deviations of the findings from the stipulated regulatory standard limits and therefore suggests proper assessment and treatment of industrial effluent water before discharging into the environment. The differences observed between the two seasons could be either as a result of higher industrial activities during the dry season and/or due to the much flow of storm/flood water which constantly washes away the substances from the sampling points.