Determination of levels of heavy metals and physicochemical parameters in waste water of Kasuwan shanu abattoir, Maiduguri

Kasuwan shanu is the central abattoir located in the city of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, in Northeastern Nigeria. Sample of waste water from this abattoir was collected for determination of levels of some heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Mn, Hg, Zn, Ni, Cr) and physicochemical properties. The sample was analyzed according to standard procedures. The results of the study revealed the order of the concentrations of the studied heavy metals as Ni Zn Mn = Hg Cd Fe Cr. The levels of the heavy metals were above the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) except Fe, Mn and Zn which fall within acceptable limits. The physicochemical parameters were also within the permissible limits except turbidity and electrical conductivity values which stood at 34 Formazin Turbidity Unit (FTU) and 1784 μS/cm respectively, against the 5 and 1000 μS/cm standard limits for their discharge.