International Journal of Aquaculture, 2016, Vol.6, No.22, 1
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11
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Research Article Open Access
Impact of Wurukum Abattoir Effluent on River Benue Nigeria, Using
Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators
Akange E.T. , Chaha J.A., Odo J.I.
University of Agriculture Makurdi, PMB 2373, Benue State, Nigeria
Corresponding author Email
International Journal of Aquaculture, 2016, Vol. 6, No.22 doi
Received: 27 Oct., 2016
Accepted: 16 Nov., 2016
Published: 30 Nov., 2016
Copyright © 2016
Akange et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article
:
Akange E.T., Chaha J.A., and Odo J.I., 2016, Impact of wurukum abattoir effluent on river Benue Nigeria, using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators,
International Journal of Aquaculture, 6(22): 1-11 (doi
Abstract
The pollution status of Wurukum Abattoir was assessed using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for a period of four
months (November, 2015 - February, 2016). Abundance-Biomass comparison was used to evaluate the number (abundance) and
weight (biomass) of macroinvetebrates so as to determine their tolerance or otherwise to the abattoir effluent. Four stations were
selected along the River Benue with station B as the point of discharge. Water samples and bottom sediments were collected for the
measurement of water physico-chemistry and macroinvertebrates. An assessment of the macroinvertebrates showed the percentage
abundance of pollution-tolerant species such as
Chiromonus larvae (3.4%), Eristalis tennax (17.93), Tubifex tubifex (52.45%)
and
Macrobdella decora (3.54%)
in stations B was attributable to the effect of the abattoir waste discharged into River Benue. The ABC
curve also indicated showed the abundance curve laying above the biomass curve at station B. The water quality parameters recorded
higher concentrations at station B than other stations for EC (496.50 ±6.38 µs/cm); TDS (247.70 ±3.17 Mg/L); BOD (0.91 ±0.08
Mg/L) while DO (4.23 ±0.06 Mg/l) was lower at the point of discharge (station B). It was concluded from these results that the
abattoir effluents had an impact on the water quality and macroinvertebrates composition, abundance and biomass at the assessed
stations. The abattoir effluent could be effectively recycled into arable crop usage due to the high nutrient value.
Keywords
Water quality; Macroinvertebrates; Wurukum abattoir; Abundance-Biomass comparison
1 Introduction
Abattoirs are known over the world to pollute the environment either directly or indirectly from the various
processes. Waste water from the abattoir is usually concentrated sources of oxygen consuming waste (Girards,
2005). Macroinvetebrate in the other hand in a water body are of value as long term indicator of water quality and
can provide signs of impending water pollution and habitat fragmentation. Benthic macroinvetebrates show high
variability and are able to integrate the effects of short term environmental variations which have been used in
characterizing rivers and streams in many part of the world. Adakole and Anunne (2003) reported that organic
pollution of Bindare stream caused a decrease in the benthic macroinvetebrate species richness and a decrease in
density species richness.
Environmental modification or pollution can alter macroinvetebrate communities (Chirhart, 2003). Since
macroinvetebrate have limited mobility and can stay in an area without moving away easily, the type of the
macroinvetebrate obtain may be used as indicator of the status of the water quality of the system at that location.
Similarly, the life cycle of macroinvetebrate fauna may last for a year or more and this reflect the type of benthic
fauna in aquatic system due to the effect of the pollutant rather than chemical analysis of the water. The long term
effect of pollutant on aquatic ecosystem may be shown in the type of macroinvetebrate found in that system. This
may be used in the classification of the ecological integrity of that aquatic environment (Chirhart, 2003). The
sensitivity of macroinvetebrate to deterioration in physiochemical conditions makes them a good bioindicator
condition in pollution studies (Sikoki and Zabbey, 2006).
Thus, a change in the physicochemical aspect of a water body brings about a corresponding change in the relative
composition and abundance of the organisms in that water (Adeyemi et al., 2009). All the same, chemical and
