EFFECTS OF ABATTOIR EFFLUENT ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SURROUNDING SOILS IN CALABAR METROPOLIS.

This study was conducted to assess the levels of pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus, and exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na in soils surrounding Atimbo, IkotEneobong and Nasarawa abattoirs. Results of the physicochemical analyses showed that the soils were loamy sand in texture, with pH range of 4.9-5.2 and 6.1-7.2 for the control and abattoir effluent contaminated soils, respectively. Abattoir effluent contaminated soils had higher values for organic carbon (6.1–7.6 %), total nitrogen (0.18-0.65 %) and available phosphorus (12.25-37.75 mgkg-1) than the control site. The results also indicate increased levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in the abattoir effluent contaminated soils across the three locations. Indiscriminate discharge of abattoir effluent into surrounding soils should therefore be checked to avoid a buildup of nutrients which may encourage luxury consumption in crops grown within the vicinity.