Impact of Abattoir Wastes on Trace Metal Accumulation, Speciation, and Human Health–Related Problems in Soils Within Southern Nigeria

Abstract

The slaughtering of animals and processing of meats for human consumption generates enormous wastes which are not properly managed in most developing nations including Nigeria. Majority of people in Akwa Ibom state in southern Nigeria depend on meat as their major source of protein, and abattoir wastes are applied in farms as organic manure by some farmers. This study examined the role of abattoir-related waste products in the physicochemical properties, total metal, and metal speciation of the soil. The data obtained were also subjected to some treatments using some environmental models to establish the degree of contamination by the parameters determined, studied locations, and the associated human health problems. Samples were collected from 5 designated abattoirs in Akwa Ibom state. Thirty composite samples were used for the research. Results obtained showed higher levels of pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity in the abattoir waste–impacted soils than in the control plot. Levels of pseudo total heavy metals were also higher in the studied soils than in the control plot. The mean values of the metals are below 400, 85, 140, 36, 100, and 35 mg/kg of recommended limits for Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni, respectively by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in Nigerian soil. The results also revealed that Fe and Cr existed mainly in residual fraction. However, Zn, Cu, and Ni existed principally in the form bound to organic matter/sulfide. In addition, we detected that Pb existed mainly in the reducible fraction. Disparities were also observed in the speciation results of the metals between the studied soils and the control plot. Principal component analysis (PCA) indentified that both the geogenic and anthropogenic factors contributed to the accumulation of metals determined in the studied soils. Variable relationships were also observed for the heavy metals determined in the studied soils. Fe showed a high-risk potential, and children were more vulnerable due to its toxicity. We conclude this study was able to expose the consequences of indiscriminate dumping of abattoir wastes on the quality of soil and the associated human health problems.

Distribution of heavy metals, soil microbial enzymes and their relationship in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria

“…This implies that the soil accumulated more of essential heavy metal (Ni, Mn, Cu, and Cu) than toxic heavy metals which may be attributed to discharged of domestic waste with high concentration of these essential metals. This is in line with the findings of Ebong et al (2020) who discovered high concentration of essential heavy metals Zn, Cu and, Ni than toxic one and attributes it to abattoir waste discharged into area.…”

“…This depicted that the concentration of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Ni, are higher in the study locations, contrariwise, low concentration of Zn, Co, Mo, and, Cd was recorded. The variability of the individual heavy metals in the area is probably attributed to the fact that the concentration of heavy metals in the soil varies from one metal to another because Fe and Mn are relatively common in the earth crust, while Cd and Pb are rare and can be toxic even at low concentration and also the variation in the anthropogenic activities and geological composition of the soil (Ebong et al, 2020). The value of heavy metals obtained in this research is higher than the values obtained by Abdullahi & Mohammed (2019); Amalo et al (2019).…”

Soil Science Challenges in a New Era: A Transdisciplinary Overview of Relevant Topics

“…140 Nevertheless, this natural-based solution is also causing health problems due to a reduction in soil and water quality and transmission of diseases via wildlife. 141,142 The origin of watering ponds is very ancient, probably from the times of the Roman Empire, although their broad dissemination is linked to the arrival of heavy machinery in the second half of the 20th century. 143 They are constructed to store water from different sources: direct rainfall and sub/surface runoff.…”

“…140 Nevertheless, this natural-based solution is also causing health problems due to a reduction in soil and water quality and transmission of diseases via wildlife. 141,142…”

A New Decade in Air, Soil and Water Research: New Challenges and Environmental Issues to Be Discussed

“…This editorial team has witnessed the increase in manuscript submissions related to emerging pollutants in air, 1,2 soil degradation and quality, 3-5 and research in water resources management, water quality, and novel water treatment technologies, as well as manuscript related to population’s health impact 3,6 and climate change. 7 These submissions have also expanded to multidisciplinary works related to soil, water, and atmosphere interactions 8-10 and opened ASW to new topics, such as the impacts of wildfires, species distributions, and ecological interactions.…”