Physicochemical Assessment of Soil Around Abattoirs in Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abattoir waste eventually enters the surrounding soil, causing important environmental consequences that should be under constant surveillance. This calls for a need to investigate the physicochemical parameters of soils around abattoirs of Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Soil from eight (8) abattoirs with respective control sites were sampled and analyzed for physicochemical parameters. Findings were subjected to t-test, chi-square and correlation analysis at p<0.05. Results recorded the following highest mean values: Temperature, Magnesium and Dissolved Oxygen (29.50±0.55O C, 0.13±0.07 mgkg-1 and 10.40±3.31 mgL-1 respectively at A. Ali), Electrical Conductivity (3794.26±386.02 µSm-1 at A. Tela), pH (6.83±0.95 at A. A. Koto), Calcium (0.60±0.00 mgkg-1 at A. Affi), Phosphorus, Potassium, Nitrate, Sodium and Base Solution (17.25±0.87, 0.45±0.03, 0.51±0.04, 0.33±0.02 mgkg-1 and 89.55±0.47 meq/100g respectively at A. Ogba), Exchangeable Acidity and Cation Exchange Capacity (1.05±0.44 and 1.78±0.37 meq/100g respectively at A. B. Koto ). Most of these parameters were above readings of the control sites but within the WHO stipulated standards. However, elevated levels of Na+, Mg, Ca, PO4, and NO3 in the soil were reported. It is therefore recommended that regular monitoring of the physicochemical properties of abattoir soil will trigger soil conditioning procedures for a more vibrant abattoir soil.