Physiochemical Characteristics and Environmental Impact of Effluent Wastes From Promotex Industries, Nnewi
Chapter One
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: This study aims to characterize the effluent wastes from the PROMOTEX industry and ascertain their impact on the pollution of the Ele River and its immediate environment.
OBJECTIVES: To achieve the aim of the study, the following objectives were pursued. The specific objectives were to:
- ascertain the raw materials and production processes employed in the PROMOTEX industry
- establish the physiochemical constituents of effluents from PROMOTEX
- establish the extent of pollutant load and determine the impact of untreated effluents from PROMOTEX on the soil and surface water quality of the Area.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
According to Dalar (2002), ongoing degradation of freshwater resources and marine water bodies is a major threat to ecological systems and human wellbeing. Industrial waste affects in no small way, the normal life of streams. Inorganic salts, acids, alkalis, organic matter, suspended solids, floating solids, heated water, colour, toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, all cause pollution in the streams and lakes. Inorganic salts which are present in most industrial wastes can cause water to be hard and make a stream undesirable for industrial, municipal and agricultural usage. Acids and alkalis discharged by chemical and allied industrial plants make streams unsuitable not only for recreational uses such as swimming and boating, but also for propagating of fish and other aquatic life. Organic matter exhausts the oxygen resources of rivers and creates unpleasant taste and colour and general septic conditions. Fish and most aquatic aquatic life are stifled by lack of oxygen. Foam producing detergents that are discharged by textile mills, pulp and paper, and other chemical plants, give rise to an undesirable appearance of the receiving stream (Eboatu, and Okonkwo 1999).
The literature reviews Industrial waste and its composition, generally, as well as the policy instruments put in place to regulate the disposal of waste into the environment.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND ITS COMPOSITION.
The term industrial waste refers to all wastes arising from industrial operations or derived from manufacturing processes (Abduli,1996). Industrial wastes encompass solids, liquids, gases, and sludge.
Industrial wastes can be characterized according to whether they are hazardous or non-hazardous. Although the literature suggests that the majority of industrial waste generated in developing countries is of a non-hazardous nature, hazardous waste still represents serious environmental and health threats to developing countries (Polprasert and Liyanaga, 1996). More often than not, waste in developing countries is untreated and disposed of in an unsafe manner (i.e. illegal dumping, open-dumps, lakes and rivers). Additionally, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are often not segregated and are mixed together with domestic waste at disposal sites (Mato and Kaseva, 1999). In combination or separately, these actions create serious environmental risks such as contamination of groundwater and soil from landfill leachate), and create great health risks to firm employees, municipal workers, and waste pickers who collect and work with waste.
Hazardous wastes are those wastes which cause or potentially cause harm to human beings, other living things, and the environment because the wastes are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or pathological (Mato and Kaseva, 1999; Polprasert and Liyanaga, 1996). Ignitable wastes can cause fire under certain conditions. Some examples include liquids that readily catch fire. Corrosive wastes are strongly acidic or basic and include substances that are capable of corroding metal. Wastes unstable under normal conditions are considered reactive wastes, while wastes harmful or fatal when absorbed or ingested are considered toxic. Pathological wastes are those capable of spreading disease.
The industrial waste stream, considerably more so than commercial, institutional or residential waste streams, is heterogeneous. Under the two digit Standard Industrial Code (SIC), industrial waste is divided up into approximately 40 different industrial categories. While each category frequently differs in the amount and type generated, within each category, generation and composition rates for similar size firms are fairly consistent (Maclaren, 1994).
Industrial wastes are continuously being discharged into rivers and lakes whereby certain pollutants are deposited and concentrate in the sediments (Forstner, 1994). Such pollutants can endanger public health by being incorporated in the food chain or being released into overlying water layers, which serve as drinking water supply. Attention has been primarily focused on heavy metals as environmental pollutants over the last two decades especially since the fishermen from Japanese Minamata Bay and villagers from the Jintsu River died and became paralyzed from mercury and cadmium poisoning respectively. Heavy metals are toxic metal pollutants found in industrial wastewater (Analytical Chemistry, 1982). Very small quantity or trace amount of these metals are required for growth and metabolism of plants and animals, for instance, Cu, Ni, Fe, and Zn (Little, 1974).However, if the threshold limiting value (TLV) is exceeded, then these metals may start to cause a deleterious effect.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
COLLECTION OF SAMPLES
Samples of effluents discharged from Promotex were collected for effluent analysis from five different points at monthly intervals for a total period of four months. The sample points were: (A) the point of discharge from the industry (B) 200m away from point of entry into the stream (C) 500m away from discharge site
(D) 1km away from discharge site (E) Down stream (Mmiri Ele). Effluent and water samples for physical and chemical analysis were collected using Winchester quart / glass bottles which were first thoroughly cleaned, rinsed and stoppered. All the samples collected were analyzed within 72hrs of collection.
Soil samples were also collected for investigation within the study area. The soil samples were collected at monthly intervals alongside effluents and water samples for a total period of 4 months from five sites: (A) The soil from the vicinity of Promotex (B) the soil along the bank of the course of the river (C) 200m away from the effluent discharge site (D) 500m away from discharge site and (E) areas with little or no industrial activities (about 1km away from discharge sites). This served as the control sample.
Collection of soil samples were done using the auger to dig into the soil. The collected soil samples (20g) each were then filled in clean cellophane bags, and labeled. To ensure constant weight of the samples, they were air dried under room temperature.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The wastes generated are usually channeled into the Ele River. As a result, the aesthetic value of the river is affected. The tourist potential of the river is reduced, unpleasant odour emanates from the river, and the wastes disposed in the surrounding environment constitute an eyesore. Reduction in economic values is another effect of effluent discharge in and around the river. Properties close to the river become less valuable than properties away from the river. There is also a serious impact on the occupational value of the river as a result of effluent discharge by the industries. In other words, the wastes have negative impact on the aquatic organisms, especially fishes. These fishes die or have their reproductive organs affected, this reduces their reproductive ability.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
The impacts of industrial activities in Nnewi North Local Government Area has been highlighted using Promotex, a division of Chicason Group of industries, as a case study. The study has established that the Ele River as well as the soil in the area is polluted at varying levels by effluents from the industry. These effluents consist of physical and chemical pollutants which are deleterious to not only the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem but also to man. The pollution of Ele River by industrial effluent, for instance, renders it unfit for domestic, agricultural and even industrial uses. The death of enormous amount of fish, especially fingerlings, affects the source of livelihood of fishermen and denies the people of affordable and available source of proteins. The contamination of the soil reduces its use for agricultural purposes. The contamination of the soil by mercury from effluents discharged from industries reduces both the quality and quantity of crop yield. Micro and macro fauna and flora are also destroyed by pollutants from industries. Industrial activities are very important to the growth and development of any nation. It provides job opportunities for the teeming populace. It also generates a lot of income to both the state and local government. It reduces the tendency to rely on imported goods, and as such helps to improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation. In other words, industrialization raises the standard of living of the people. All these benefits can be sustained and even improved upon without degrading the environment if serious treatment is given to the effluent before they are discharged.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusions will be drawn based on the result of analysis during the study period. There is need to extend the study to make for a more elaborate finding.
Contaminants of the environment include those arising from agricultural activities, gaseous deposits from the air, industrial effluents, wastewater sewage, and air particulates. Waste materials may be released into the environment at the point of generation or at a later stage. Therefore, it is important to understand the interaction of any release with the environment, particularly in relation to the biogeochemical cycles, so that any likely environmental impact can be assessed. Industrial effluents may contain contaminants such as acids, alkalis, metallic ions, phenols, cyanides, pesticides, and many other organic and inorganic substances that pose threats to the natural ecosystem.
The effluents of the Promotex industry are disposed of into canals which channel them to the Ele River without any treatment. The characteristics of these effluents were studied in terms of biochemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids, alkalinity and other parameters. The wastes were generally colored, highly alkaline, high in COD contents, and high in suspended solids. Effluents might contain some chemicals which might be toxic or biologically refracted. Metals are unique environmental and industrial pollutants in that they are found naturally distributed in all the phases of the environment. Through industrial processes metals are concentrated and transformed into various products. These processes often lead to much higher concentrations of different chemicals than those naturally present in the environment. Contamination of the environment by heavy metals is a serious development affecting soil, air, food, and organisms in the aquatic ecosystem. These contaminants are leached into the groundwater through the soil and may finally be transported from there to surface water.
The effluents from Promotex have been shown to impact the surrounding environment, with the consequential adverse effects on food and water. Therefore, the following recommendations are suggested:
- The effluents, soil and the Ele River should be sampled and analyzed periodically in order to monitor the level of
- Environmental toxicologists and nongovernmental organizations should embark on public awareness programs to alert the public to the hazards associated with contaminants.
- A follow-up study on the blood heavy metals levels of factory workers and surrounding inhabitants is also indicated, with the introduction of chelation therapy to prevent metal
- There are esisting guidelines by FEPA which should provide basis for pre- treatment of effluents before
- The 3 tiers of government in Nigeria (Federal, State and Local Government Areas) should enforce the environmental quality control and management in their areas of
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- Ajiwe, V.I.E., Nnabuike, B.O., Onochie, C.C. and Ajibola, V.O. (2000): Surface water pollution by effluents from some industries in Nnewi Area, Journal of Applied Sciences, 3 No.3. pp. 1265- 1280.
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