A Microbial and Chemical Assessment of Abattoir Effluent Used for Vegetable Irrigation in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Wastewater from Sokoto Abattoir used for irrigation farming by vegetable farmers in Sokoto, Nigeria, was investigated with the aim of identifying the risk of microbial, parasitic and chemical contamination, which may have negative consequences on the health of consumers. The waste water from the abattoir at the point of irrigation was investigated using microbiological techniques. Elemental analysis was also conducted on the vegetables watered with the effluent. It was found that stagnant water in ponds around the abattoir were used by the butchers while the effluent flows through a natural channel into the river Dundaye and is being utilized along its course by vegetable farmers. Organisms found include pathogenic bacterial organism, proglottids of Taenea sp. and some helminth eggs among others. Vegetable sampled (Amaranthus sp. Garden egg and pepper) were found
to have high iron content (17.7, 24.0 and 57.0 mg/100 g) and calcium 415.0, 25.0, 27.0, 560.0, 4.0 and 430.0 mg/100 g respectively.

Keywords: Wastewater, microbial, chemical assessment, vegetable

Sahel Journal of Veterinary Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 1-4