Evaluation of the Impact of Wastewater Generated From Catfish Ponds on the Quality of Soil in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was performed to examine catfish (Clarias geriepinus) effluents on the quality of soil in Lagos State, Nigeria. Five fish farms with highest stock density were selected for evaluation. The soil sampling was collected at 10 metres apart before the effluent discharged site; at the effluent discharged site; 10 metres after the effluent discharged site and Non-effluent discharged siite (control) denoted as SA, SB, SC and SD  respectively. Analysis of the required soil physical and chemical properties were performed at 5cm depth from 0 – 20 cm. Results showed that the effluents discharged site and Non-effluents discharged site indicated that they contained Temperature (26.5±0.1, 27.5±0.1°C), pH (6.7±0.1, 6.2±0.1), Water Holding Capacity (WHC) (36.4±2.1, 21.4±1.2%), Organic carbon (10.8±0.1, 7.4±0.1 mg/kg), TN (26.4±2.2, 22.4±2.1 mg/kg), TP (7.3±0.1, 6.1±0.1 mg/kg), Potassium (3.4±0.1, 3.1±0.1 mg/kg), Calcium (9.5±0.1, 5.9±0.1 mg/kg), Sodium (1.6±0.1, 0.9±0.1 mg/kg), magnesium (8.8±0.1, 7.2±0.1 mg/kg), Zinc (3.3±0.1, 3.0±0.1 mg/kg), Iron (58.7±4.2, 55.8±3.2 mg/kg) and Manganese (23.6±2.3, 21.1±2.2 mg/kg) respectively and were significant different (p≥0.05). Both soil nutrients at the immediate environment of effluents discharged site were within critical range of soil fertility for arable crop production.