Abstract

Evaluation of Contamination of Soil by Trace Metals from Dairy Wastewater in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Author(s): Joshua N. Edokpayi, Hadifele I Machaba, Heshborn S. Ogombe and John O.Odiyo

The contamination of soil by metals from dairy wastewater (DWW) has been evaluated in Limpopo Province. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) of DWW were measured in the field using a portable Crison MM 40 multi meter, while the pH of soil was measured using a pH meter. The concentrations of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, Na, Zn and Al, Cu, Fe, K and Mn were measured in triplicate using Perkin Elmer 520 Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) for DWW and soil respectively. The results of DWW were compared with the South African standards for wastewater (WW) discharge of the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). The results of DWW and soil were compared to evaluate the probable effects of the disposal of dairy wastewater onto soil. pH ranges of 6.36 - 8.18 and 7.08 - 8.52 were observed for DWW and soil respectively and were within the set guideline of DWA. EC and TDS of DWW ranged from 193-593 mS/m and 1293.10-3973.10 mg/L respectively and were higher than the recommended guideline. The study revealed a high concentration of Al (0.13-0.44 mg/L), Fe (0.16-1.14 mg/L) Cu (0.05-0.10 mg/L), Na (66.50-520.90 mg/L), K (5.10-122.40 mg/L), and Mn (0.04-0.47 mg/L) in DWW and Al (4770-142182 mg/kg), Fe (1052-3910mg/kg), K (2544-4596mg/kg), Cu (520-5000mg/kg) and Mn (219-4332 mg/kg) in soil respectively. DWW in Limpopo Province is of poor quality and should not be discharged into the environment without proper treatment.

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