Abstract
In order to contribute to the understanding of the impact of wastewater discharges from a Hospital in south-western Nigeria on the receiving water bodies, the physico-chemical qualities of the two wastewater point sources from the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) Ile–Ife were characterized, and their impacts on the water quality of the receiving Elekete stream were assessed. Eight sampling stations were selected for the study: three, were located each on the unimpacted and impacted sections of the receiving Elekete stream while one each was located on the two wastewater point sources from OAUTHC. The physico-chemical parameters investigated include: oxygen parameters, major cations, major anions, nutrient compounds, physical parameters (temperature, turbidity, solids) as well as pH and conductivity. Samples were collected from each sampling station fortnightly for nine months and analysed using standardised laboratory methods. The results were analysed using relevant statistical methods. The result showed significant difference (P < 0.05) for all parameters between the impacted and unimpacted sections of effluent receiving stream. SO42-, Total Organic Carbon, NH4+, PO43-, and BOD5 were more than three times higher in the impacted section than in the unimpacted section while sample colour, turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total solids, conductivity, alkalinity, acidity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, NO3-, and NO2- were about two times higher in the impacted section of the receiving stream than in the unimpacted section. The overall mean concentrations of 293 mg l-1 and 270 mg l-1 BOD5 in the two effluent streams indicate the medium/ strong strength of the wastewater discharges from OAUTHC. This study showed that the wastewater discharge from the (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife has significant impact on the water quality of the receiving streams. The implications are discussed.
Highlights
Wastewater generated from hospitals usually contain pathogens, human tissues and fluids, pharmaceuticals, substances with genotoxic properties, chemical substances, heavy metals, and radio-active wastes, which may endanger public health and welfare, and contribute to oxygen demand and nutrient loading of the water bodies and in the process promote toxic algal blooms and leading to a destabilized aquatic ecosystem, if discharged without treatments into water bodies (WHO, 1985; Jackson et al, 1989; NSFC, 1996)
This study showed that the wastewater discharge from the (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife has significant impact on the water quality of the receiving streams
The recorded value of 41.0 mgl-1 in the impacted receiving stream is higher than the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) stipulated 30.0 mgl-1 Total suspended solids (TSS) limit for discharge into the surface water and this can result into the aesthetic degradation of the receiving stream and other effects such as the reduction in the light penetration through the water body and its attendant effect on the photosynthetic rates of algae and submerged macrophytes and clogging of respiratory surfaces of gills of fish or nets of filter feeding invertebrates (Hellawell, 1986)
Summary
Wastewater generated from hospitals usually contain pathogens, human tissues and fluids, pharmaceuticals, substances with genotoxic properties, chemical substances, heavy metals, and radio-active wastes, which may endanger public health and welfare, and contribute to oxygen demand and nutrient loading of the water bodies and in the process promote toxic algal blooms and leading to a destabilized aquatic ecosystem, if discharged without treatments into water bodies (WHO, 1985; Jackson et al, 1989; NSFC, 1996). Hospital effluents and most public wastewaters eventually end up in streams, rivers, lakes and oceans where they often have deleterious effects on the receiving environment and interfere with the legitimate uses of the water resources e.g. water for drinking, recreation, agricultural and industrial purposes among others. These effects are more pronounced and felt in the communities where wastewater treatment is lacking or inadequate. In France, the average needs in water of University hospital centre is estimated at 750 litres/bed/day (CCLIN, 1999) This high volume water consumption in high discharge of wastewater is often loaded with micro-organisms, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and radioactive elements emanating from clinical and research laboratories, medical waste incinerators and hospital laundries. The hospitals generate hybrid wastewater comprising of domestic, industrial and effluents of medical research (Jehannin, 1999; Emmanuel et al, 2001)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
