Assessment of Cassava Effluent Contaminated Soil in Ohimini L.G.A, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ohimini local government area is famous for its cassava processing cottage industries in benue state. The processing of cassava tubers into garri incurs large volumes of waste fluid (effluents) that contaminates the soil around such areas. Therefore the study is aimed at assessing the impact of cassava wastewater on soil quality at selected garri processing areas of benue state. The study was carried out at five wards within ohmini local government area during the dry season in june, 2017. Exchangeable bases, ph, % organic carbon, % organic matter and cyanide levels of soils receiving the wastewater (impacted) as well as soils not receiving  wastewater (control) were analysed according to standard methods and variations were observed. Impacted soil had a foul smell and strongly alkaline (8.59) with a ph value ranged at (7.35-9.25), cyanide levels ranged at (1.22-4.16), % organic carbon and %organic matter ranged at 0.60-2.07 and 1.69-6.50 respectively. All parameters analysed had higher values at impacted soil than the control samples except potassium(k). Cassava wastewater alters soil properties, therefore with the large number of individuals carrying out this activity thus, it is necessary to analyse soil properties in such areas to curb or halt further alterations of the soil in the area.