ABSTRACT

The physicochemical assessment of wastewater from Obazea abattoir at Ikpoba slope, Benin City. Wastewater effluents from the slaughterhouses are considered the major sources, which pollutes the environment. The present study deals with the treatment of the wastewater effluents, from Obazea abattoir at Ikpoba slope. The obtained results showed that clay is highly efficient in removal of the contaminants (COD, BOD, DO and Heavy Metals) from the wastewater. Valuable results were obtained under the following optimal conditions: 15g/l clay; at pH of 7.3. At these conditions, COD decreased from 716 to 274.2mg/l, BOD decreased from 82.4 to 19.84mg/l. Fe reduced from 4.19 to 1.90mg/l, and the other metals were not detected apparently because the animals didn't graze on them. There was also a rapid colour change after treatment with clay because of the presence of the transition metals Ni and Fe which are natural colorant and their reduced level influenced the color change. This whole process indicates the physico-chemical properties of clay minerals like ion exchange capacity, adsorption capacity which can be enhanced through modification with different cation which makes it unique for low cost remediation of water bodies and soil.