Spatiotemporal Variation of Abattoir Operation on Soil Quality Dynamics in Umuahia South, Abia State, Nigeria

Heaps of abattoir wastes are commonly sighted in most abattoirs in Nigeria which constitute serious environmental and public health hazards. The study aimed at assessing the spatiotemporal variation of abattoir operation on soil quality in Umuahia South, Abia State, Nigeria. A total of nine composite samples were collected from three different locations at graded distance. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of physicochemical parameters. The results indicate that the mean pH value was 5.90, organic carbon 1.31% and 2.27% organic matter respectively. Mean values of 2.10 g/kg and 3.66 mg/kg were observed for total nitrogen and available phosphorus respectively. The exchangeable cations were observed to be 0.53Cmol/kg, 2.31Cmol/kg, 0.49Cmol/kg and 0.67Cmol/kg for Potassium, Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium respectively. The mean cation exchange capacity was 8.70Cmol/kg, mean percentage base saturation was 46.04% and mean of electrical conductivity was 5.96, Mean values of 5.06, 1.70%, 2.94%, 2.81g/kg, 5.28mg/kg, 0.63Cmol/kg, 3.17Cmol/kg, 0.50Cmol/kg, 0.51Cmol/kg, 8.64Cmol/kg and 55.29%, percentage organic carbon and organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, cation exchange capacity and percentage base saturation, electrical conductivity respectively. This study reveals that the possible source of contaminants is due to the unhygienic manner of handling meat in abattoirs and concludes that the results obtained indicated that the quality of the soil is negatively affected by the activities of the abattoir. Regular inspection of abattoirs and strict enforcement of law is hereby recommended.