Abstract
Management of dead birds in poultry farms has been a major problem in Nigeria. This study aimed at using 2D resistivity tomography to outline leachate plume from disposal pits in a poultry farm. 2D electrical resistivity tomography were conducted along three profiles, two of which were 3.0 m and 25.0 m respectively to the two available mortality pits (Pit1 and Pit 2) while the third was 300.0 m away from the mortality Pit 1. Profile length of 100.0 m each and interspaced 5.0 m oriented in the North-East (Profile 1), South-East (Profile 2) and North-East (Profile 3) directions respectively was covered. 2D resistivity data inversions were performed on the obtained converted apparent resistivity using DIPROWIN software. Five water samples collected from five different hand dug wells available within the poultry farm were analysed for hydro chemical parameters. 2D results showed conductive paths occurrence in transverse one at the depth of 5.0 m, a horizontal distance of 45.0 m to 55.0 m, and had migrated down to the depth of 10.0 m. The second traverse showed varying resistivity values ranged 7.0 Ω m to 31.0 Ω m up to a depth of 15.0 m, an indication of the presence of clay soil. Low resistivity values ranged 14.0 Ω m to 49.0 Ω m were recorded in traverse 3. The extent of the contaminant is prominent at the topmost part of the soil and to almost 10.0 m depth. This was attributable to the contaminant from the deposit site of faeces of the poultry. Hydro chemical analysis indicated high values of Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). This confirms the migration of leachate from the disposal pits to the surrounding soils and groundwater and the 2D results obtained from disposal Pit 1. Other alternative methods of disposing dead birds are hereby recommended.
Highlights
In Nigeria poultry, livestock and dairy industries are on the increase in order to meet the growing demand of animal protein resulting from increase in population and to meet the supply of inexpensive and safe meat and eggs (FAO, 2006)
2D electrical resistivity tomography is used in this study, because the resistivity of rocks is strongly influenced by the presence of groundwater, which acts as an electrolyte
The 2D resistivity structure along transverse one (Figure 4) shows in the NE direction and 5.0 m away from the mortality pit 1, showed a varying resistivity values across this transverse (Figure 4) with some portions being highly resistive, while some parts are of low resistivity
Summary
In Nigeria poultry, livestock and dairy industries are on the increase in order to meet the growing demand of animal protein resulting from increase in population and to meet the supply of inexpensive and safe meat and eggs (FAO, 2006). Ritter and Chirnside (1995) reported that 4 - 5 percent mortality rates of broiler were recorded in Delmarva Peninsula Canada Disposal of these magnitudes of dead birds’ immediately is of utmost importance to prevent the spread of diseases associated with dead birds. A convenient, practical, effective and rapid methods need to be employed and developed for in situ disposal to have a healthy environment The management of these dead birds has been a major problem in Nigeria and other developing countries as well. The depth of these mortality pits were very close to the water table when compared with the available hand dug wells where static water level is 9.0 m deep each in the farm These disposed dead birds inside these pits, undergo decomposition process to release nutrients, pathogen and other components of the animals into the surrounding environment. This work aimed at investigating effect of poultry mortality pits on farm groundwater by employing 2D electrical resistivity imaging in order to delineate the leachate plumes and the main objective is to relate any groundwater contamination to poultry mortality disposal inside pits and the farm
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