Physicochemical and Heavy Metals Characteristics of Some Industrial Wastewaters in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

Wastewater are polluted water from effluents of industries, anthropogenic and agricultural activities; which may contain toxic materials that are harmful to the environment. Most wastewater from industries flows into the water bodies, farmlands where food crops are cultivated for consumption. This study assessed the heavy metals and physicochemical components of some industrial wastewaters in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were collected from gold mining and pharmaceutical company sites. The samples were analyzed using standard methods and procedures. The results showed the presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Cadmium (Cd) at different levels with Pb recording the highest concentration (2.58±0.00 and 1.08±0.00) in the industrial effluents. There were significant (p<0.05) difference in the monitored physicochemical parameters (temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen demand, nitrate and phosphate) in both effluents in different concentrations. The study revealed the need for post-treatment risk assessments on the spent materials from industries before disposal into the environment and immediate regulatory intervention is recommended.