Physicochemical determination of pollutants in wastewater and vegetable samples along the jakara wastewater channelin kano metropolis, Kano state, Nigeria
Akan, JC; Abdulrahman, FI; Dimari, GA; Ogugbuaja, VO
Wastewater and vegetable samples were collected from the Jakara wastewater channel near the Airport Road Bridge, Kano metropolis. Samples were collected between the periods of November 2007 to May 2008 to determine the following parameters, pH, temperature, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), Biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), sulphate, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate. In addition, metals (copper, cobalt chromium, iron, manganese, magnesium, nickel cadmium, lead, sodium, potassium and calcium were determined. Levels of pH, conductivity, temperature, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, phosphate, TSS, TDS, DO, BOD and COD were higher than the maximum permissible limits set by Federal Environmental Protection Agencies (FEPA) Nigeria. The concentrations of the metals in the wastewater and vegetables samples were higher than limits set by WHO and the maximum contaminant levels (MCL). The high concentration of metals in the vegetable samples suggests that the wastewater used for the irrigation of these vegetables within the study area can be classified as polluted and thus unfit for irrigation of crops. Thus, the wastewater around the Jakara channel is highly polluted. Domestic and industrial waste should be properly disposed and or recycled. Relevant agencies should make continuous effort to control, regulate and educate populace on indiscriminate waste disposal from domestic and industries within the study area. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2008.
