Temporal Variations in the Characteristics of Pre-treated Effluents from a Brewery in Makurdi Metropolis-Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, physically, chemically and biologically pre-treated effluents from a brewery were characterized for a period of six months. This was to ascertain the type and concentrations of residual pollutants in the effluent streams released to a receiving perennial river in the study area. Effluent samples were collected at the outfall point for a consecutive period of six months, beginning from February, 2014. Samples were preserved and taken to the laboratory for tests on each sampling date. pH and Temperatures (ambient and effluent) were however determined in-situ. All samples were analyzed in accordance with the “standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater”. Pollutants concentrations in mg/l ranged between; 3.25-6.35, 76.4-183.0, 220.0-435.0, 55.1-85.0, 169.4-232.5, 4.70-6.6, 6.05-8.2 and 1.3-4.05 for DO, BOD5, COD, TSS, TDS, NO3-, PO4-3 and NH4+ respectively. Conductivity ranged between 307.0-405.5µs/cm, turbidity was between 24.2-41.35NTU, pH was 6.2-7.15, while ambient and water temperatures were 30.0-33.0 and 36.2-40.1 respectively. In comparison with FEPA and USEPA discharge limits, most of the pollutants were found to be residual in the effluents and need to be removed by suitable advanced and/or tertiary treatment method(s), before the effluents can be discharged into the perennial river in an environmentally friendly manner.