EFFECT OF ABATTOIR ACTIVITIES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Effect of abattoir activities on the bacteriological and physicochemical properties of soil was studied. Five (5) samples of soil from abattoir (A, B, C, D and E), loamy soil sample (control) were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. The results obtained revealed that the total bacterial counts ranged from1.5x105 cfu/g to 5.2x105 cfu/g for Sample A to F.The bacteria identified were Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Escherichia, Pseudomonas and Proteus spp. The percentage occurrence of the bacterial isolates revealed that Escherichia sp. recorded the highest percentage occurrence of (30.00%) followed by Pseudomonas sp. (25.30%), Proteus sp. (21.30%), Staphylococcus sp. (13.30%) while Bacillus sp. had the least percentage occurrence of (10.00%) respectively.The physicochemicalpropertiesofthesamples revealed pH, density, nitrogen, electrical conductivity, temperature, organic matter and moisture content; 5.370±0.325, 1.720±0.112g/cm3, 0.933±0.1.022%, 370.000±0.630µS/cm3, 26.20±0.0010C, 6.470±0.231% and 43.333±0.052% for Sample A. 5.460±0.114, 2.500±0.006g/cm3, 0.187±0.351%, 466.06±0.001µS/cm3, 26.20±0.2100C, 4.741±0.631% and 22.666±0.003% for Sample B. 5.470±0.001, 2.500±0.003g/cm3, 0.233±1.503%, 453.00±0.003µS/cm3, 26.50±0.0.0060C, 7.456±1.402% and 24.000±0.002% for Sample C 5.430±0.001, 2.510±0.005g/cm3, 0.241±0.231%, 464.00±0.002µS/cm3, 26.52±0.0030C, 6.341±0.131% and 23.521±0.005% for Sample D; 5.450±0.004, 2.510±0.003g/cm3, 0.134±0.310%, 446.00±0.002µS/cm3, 26.81±0.0410C, 5.642±1.301% and 24.320±0.001% for Sample E and 5.58±0.143, 5.00±0.003g/cm3, 0.56±0.016%, 64.80±0.001µS/cm3, 26.50±0.4140C, 11.381±0.250% and 13.333±0.003% for Sample F (control). This study demonstrates that abattoir activities contribute to environmental contamination, nutrient enrichment, and potential health hazards. However, the observed changes in the physicochemical parameters suggests that abattoir activities can alter soil chemical properties. Such alterations can degrade soil quality, reduce agricultural productivity, and pose environmental risks through contamination of surface and groundwater. Hence, proper waste treatment, effluent management, and hygienic handling practices are therefore essential to mitigate microbial pollution and safeguard public health.
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