IMPACT OF THE EFFLUENT DISCHARGE FROM A BREWERY PLANT ON THREE COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

A preliminary assessment of the extent of pollution of water, soil and plant due to an effluent discharge from a brewery industry to the territory of three rural communities in Ibadan municipality was carried out. Chemical analysis of the brewery effluent, receiving stream, ground (well) water, soil and plant samples taken randomly from cultivated land at the stream bank were carried out. The results showed higher concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni in most of the water samples with values higher than the WHO, EU and USA standards tolerant levels. The pH for the stream and well water ranged between 5.35 and 6.65, some of which are below the WHO recommended levels of between 6.0 and 9.0 meant for human consumption. Furthermore, the pH of sampled soils ranged from 4.75 to 5.35 indicating acid medium, while concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu and Ni were observed to be higher in some of the soil samples compared to the reference samples both at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. However, plant analysis results showed that some of the samples contained high levels of Cu, Fe and Mn, while Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr were not detected. There was therefore contamination of surface and ground water, which could probably be hazardous to human health when used primarily for domestic purposes. KEY WORDS: Effluent; Heavy metals; Water pollution; Soil pollution. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Science Vol.10(1) 2004: 211-216