Ahmad-Tijani Usman
Effect of Abattoir Waste on Groundwater Quality around Bosso Abattoir, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria The management and disposal of abattoir waste have become important environmental concerns, particularly in rapidly developing communities where slaughterhouse activities are located close to residential areas and groundwater sources. Abattoirs generate substantial quantities of liquid and solid wastes, including blood, faecal matter, wash water, animal tissue, and other organic materials. When these wastes are discharged untreated into open drainage channels or disposed of indiscriminately, they can create serious environmental pollution and increase the potential for contamination of nearby surface water and groundwater resources. This project examines the effect of waste generated from Bosso Abattoir in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, on the quality of groundwater used by surrounding residents. The study was carried out at Bosso town in Minna, where the abattoir is surrounded by residential buildings and groundwater sources. The abattoir consists of slaughtering, processing, and waste-dumping sections. During slaughtering and processing, blood, washing water, faecal matter, and other animal wastes are generated. These wastes are channelled through a drainage path that extends outside the abattoir. A major concern identified in the study area is that part of this drainage system is unlined and passes between residential buildings, creating a possible pathway through which pollutants can enter the surrounding environment and potentially migrate into groundwater. To investigate the possible impact of these wastes, two groundwater wells located approximately 170-190 metres from the abattoir and about 20-23 metres from the abattoir drainage path were selected for sampling. The wells were designated Well A and Well B. In addition to the groundwater samples, a freshly discharged abattoir effluent sample was collected for comparison. The samples were taken to the laboratory for physical, chemical, biological, and heavy-metal analyses. The parameters investigated included electrical conductivity, turbidity, temperature, pH, total hardness, total alkalinity.
