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Abstract
The study was carried out in order to determine the morphological properties, physicochemical and biological status of soils in the vicinity of selected abattoirs in Benin City, Nigeria. 24 soil samples (0 - 15 cm and 15 - 30 cm depths) were collected using systematic random methodology, at distance of 5 m apart, from the different study sites. Morphological analyses were carried out to determine the hue of the soil using the Munsell colour chart. The results revealed that abattoir soils are highly rich in organic content compared to the control. The physicochemical properties of the soils collected were examined in the laboratory following standard procedures and data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The physicochemical properties revealed that the values of pH, TOC, TN, EA, ECEC, micronutrients and trace metals of the contaminated soils (abattoir) were higher than the control (orchard) except for Fe, Na and K. Results also indicated significant variation (p < 0.05) for porosity, BD, TOC, TN, pH, available P, Fe and Zn amongst the studied sites. Microbial count analysis was carried out using standard microbiological techniques and revealed higher bacteria and fungi count in the treatment site. However, these values indicated no significant variation. The study suggested that high contaminated abattoir effluent is neither good for domestic use nor should be discharged directly into the environment without treatment and recommended that more attention should be paid to the treatment of abattoir effluent contaminated soils of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
