Assessment of Physicochemical Parameters of Soils from Selected Abattoirs in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pollution arising from anthropogenic activities is a common phenomenon. Soil samples collected from three abattoirs in Port Harcourt (Agip, Iwofe, and Mile III) between the months of January to July. The samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters after following laboratory procedures, using the appropriate probes. It was observed that the pH of the soils was acidic, ranging from 4.59 ± 0.03–4.99 ± 0.14, electrical conductivity ranged from 208.00 ± 11.21- 404.34 ± 7.18 μS/cm, temperature from 33.14 ± 1.29 -35.04 ± 0.96°C while salinity had a range of 27.531.91-58.65 ± 2.25. The textural class was sandy-clay-loam, implying that the soil contains sand in a higher proportion. Total moisture content was within the range of 16.66 ± 1.73 -21.07 ± 2.05 %, chloride content ranged from 17.10 ± 1.61-31.75 ± 2.00 % whereas total nitrogen and nitrogen based parameters were generally very low in concentration in the soil. Extractable phosphorus content in the soil ranged from 0.66 ± 0.03-1.34 ± 0.33 %, total organic carbon ranged from 12.81 ± 0.15- 16.41 ± 0.49 %, and total organic matter ranged from 22.33 ± 0.86-29.58 ± 0.72 mg/Kg. Total hydrocarbon content ranged between 11.85 ± 0.48 and 27.12 ± 0.48 mg/Kg. The observed result indicated that human activities within the abattoir have influenced the physicochemical speciation of the abattoirs. The high content of the organic components of the abattoir can serve as useful manure for cultivation of plants. However, constant check on the activities at the abattoirs should be put in place to avoid pollution of the environment.