The Dynamics of Solids Removal in Waste Stabilization Ponds

Abstract

Waste generation at Nigerian slaughterhouses poses a serious threat to the environment because of poor handling practices which results into adverse impact on land, air and water. The aim of this research is studying the dynamics of solid removal in waste stabilization pond at different hydraulics retention times (HRT). The characteristics of wastewater in Kwata slaughterhouse were 991 mg/l, 3427 mg/l and 4419 mg/l. For total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS) and total solids (TS) respectively. The slaughterhouse wastewater was treated using waste stabilization pond which comprises one anaerobic pond, one facultative pond and one maturation pond. The physio-chemical analysis conducted at the end of the treatment, shows that the total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS) and total solids (TS) in an effluent leaving the maturation achieved 97%, 92% and 93% removal efficiencies. The physio-chemical analysis results were also subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance and two-way analysis of variance without replication. The results show the statistically significant difference exists in the quality of raw wastewater, effluent from anaerobic, facultative and maturation pond.