Abstract:

The analysis of the physicochemical parameters, heavy metal contamination and microbial contamination of top soil and water was carried out. The soil and water samples were collected from abattoir sites of Wadata, Makurdi metropolis; they were transported to the Laboratory, Microbiology Department Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi and were analyzed using standard methods. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, temperature, conductivity and nitrate contents were all analyzed using standard methods. Heavy metals (lead and copper) contents of the samples were also analyzed using a spectrophotometer. The microbial analysis of the soil and water was also determined using a serial dilution method and pour plating. Identification of the bacterial isolates was done using the Bergy’s manual of determinative bacteriology and characterization of the isolates was also done using standard methods. The result of the physicochemical parameters of the samples shows a pH range of 7.6-7.7 for the water samples and 8.5-9.0 for the soil samples. The nitrate content of the samples shows a range from 11-15 mg/L for both the soil and water samples and some of the values for the physicochemical parameters fall slightly above normal ranges while some were within normal ranges. Analysis of the heavy metals shows a trace amount of Lead and Copper in part per million (ppm) 0.64-0.68ppm for Lead and 0.16-0.19ppm for Copper. Microbiological analysis shows the presence of both Gram positive cocci (Staphylococcus sp) with a higher occurrence of 50% and Gram negative rods (E. coli and Klebsiella sp) both with 25% respectively and fungi species such as Mucor sp, Penicilium sp, Rhizopus sp Aspergillus sp, and Paracoccidoides. The water at the slaughtering site has a higher colony count of 5.0×10⁶CFU/ml while that at the butchering site has a count of 3.0×10⁶ CFU/ml and the colony count of the soil at the slaughtering site has a higher colony count of 4.4×10⁶ CFU/g as compared to the soil at butchering site which has a least count of 4.12×10⁶ CFU/g. The conclusion made from the result of this research was that the heavy metal contamination of the analyzed samples was minimal likewise the microbial contaminants. The recommendation made from the results of this research was that proper treatment of water from abattoir sites should be encouraged, and the disposal of the abattoir water should be away from water sources.