Adsorptive Treatment ofAbattoir Wastewater using Biosorbent Prepared from Raphia hookeri Seed

Industrial activities and urbanisation in Nigeria have gradually increased the problem ofwastewater disposal. Breweries, textile factories, abattoirs, and other industries that discharge effluents into nearby water bodies cause pollution that renders these waters unusable unless treatment is carried out. In this research, a local waste material (Raphia Hookeri Seed) was prepared through carbonisation (at 600°C), chemical impregnation (using sodium hydroxide), and thermal activation (at 700ºC) to serve as a biosorbent for removing pollutants from abattoir wastewater, measured as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Salinity. Batch experiments were conducted under different conditions, including biosorbent dosage, pH, and contact time. The results show maximum pollutant adsorption from the abattoir wastewater with BOD5 of1448 mg/l, COD of4018 mg/l, and TDS of1640 mg/l, achieved at an optimum biosorbent dosage of 1 g/100 ml of wastewater. This dosage was used consistently in other experimental conditions. The findings indicate that the optimal contact time is 60 minutes, with removal efficiency increasing as contact time extends. Additionally, the results reveal that the removal efficiency ofBOD decreases when the amount of adsorbent increases. In conclusion, the Raphia Hookeri seed biosorbent demonstrates a high affinity and capacity for adsorbing particulate pollutants, which can contribute to elevating BOD/COD levels in abattoir wastewater