Biotreatment of Point-Sourced Effluent Discharged into Aquatic Ecosystems in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2020, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages: 310-313

J. Environ. Treat. Tech.

ISSN: 2309-1185

Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com

Biotreatment of Point-Sourced Effluent

Discharged into Aquatic Ecosystems in Yenagoa

Metropolis, Nigeria

Tariwari C. N Angaye* , Egbegi Ekiemo Mathew and Youkparigha, F. Okponanabofa

Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Department of Ports Management, Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria

Received: 23/11/2019

Accepted: 09/12/2019

Published: 20/02/2020

Abstract

River systems have become vital resources that conserve and sustain aquatic biodiversity. No aquatic ecosystem is pristine and

preserved from anthropogenic agents, especially point-sourced effluent and urban runoff. Prior to the bioassay, untreated point-

source effluent was analysed for some physicochemical and heavy metal parameters. The biotreatment involved the use of ripe and

unripe plantain peels for a period of 4 weeks, at an interval of 1 week. Results showed significant (P<0.01) improvement in

physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations of the effluent after 4 weeks of treatment. Comparatively, the ripe

plantain treatment had more efficacy than the unripe treatment (P<0.01).

Keywords: Biotreatment, Effluent, Aquatic ecosystem, Heavy metals

quality as well as the coastal sediment [8]. Aquatic

Introduction

ecosystems are vital resources that sustain biodiversity due

to the numerous and diverse species. Point-source effluent

contains toxin, when untreated and discharged into that

adversely affects water quality and aquatic life. Therefore,

this research is concern with the biotreatment of point-

sourced effluent using ripe and unripe plantain peel.

Sequel to the fact that water and river systems sustain

biodiversity, they have become essential and inevitable

components of the over-all ecosystem. Due to the ubiquitous

applications of water, its quality is infringed upon by

anthropogenic or lithogenic agents. It was documented in

literature that about 70% of the Niger Delta is occupied with

water, but access to quality water still remains a ravaging

problem [1, 2]. While over 300 million lack access to quality

water in over ten African countries, it was reported that

another 1.0 - 1.2 billion persons still suffer water shortage

globally [1].

The effects of point-source effluents on aquatic

ecosystems cannot be overemphasized. They constitute

threat to aquatic biota, due to compromised water quality.

The toxicants originating from point-sourced effluent

includes heavy metals [3], polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

2 Materials and Methods

2.1 Samples Collection

One litre of effluent being discharged through piping

into a creeklet was collected from a point source in Yenagoa,

Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The ripe and unripe plantain peels

were collected from roadside roasted-plantain (popularly

known as Bole) vendor. The peels were separated and

chopped into tiny bits for the bioassay.

[4, 5], and radioactive elements [5, 6]. Some toxic industrial

2.2 Analysis of water samples

effluents may arise from anthropogenic activities involving

the production of fertilizers, cement, pulp and paper, food

processing, pharmaceuticals, metal, textile, chemical,

petroleum, lubricant plants.

Some studies have been documented on aquatic pollution,

their sources and adverse effects on aquatic biota. Coastal

waters bodies are subjected to anthropogenic pressure from

sewage and industrial effluents thereby affecting the water

The effluent was analysed for in-situ physicochemical

parameters like; pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS),

Dissolved Oxygen using portable field meter (DO-700)

following standard protocols [9]. Biochemical Oxygen

Demand (BOD5) was analysed in the laboratory using

Winkler’s method. Heavy metals were analysed using the

Perkin Elmer 5100 PC AA Model of Flame Atomic

Absorption Spectrophotometer Spectrometer (FAAS).

Corresponding author: Tariwari C. N Angaye, Department

of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce

Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

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Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2020, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages: 310-313

Table 1: Result of physicochemical parameters of effluent before and after biotreatment with plantain peels

Treatment

Week

BOD

COD

(

mg/l)

(mg/l)

Before Treatment

4.22±0.16a

4.66±0.09b

4.70±0.09b

4.77±0.06b

5.24±0.04d

5.73±0.03f

6.48±0.03g

6.57±0.05h

5.93±0.04e

5.94±0.03f

6.58±0.02h

6.80±0.07i

3.07±0.02a

3.57±0.17b

3.59±0.18b

3.97±0.02c

4.10±0.10d

4.31±0.11d

4.42±0.05e

4.88±0.40e

4.40±0.06c

4.54±0.03e

4.59±0.02e

4.96±0.06f

1.44±0.31a

2.11±0.11c

1.36±0.12a

1.10±0.06a

2.09±0.05c

2.37±0.16c

1.38±0.04a

1.53±0.11b

2.21±0.18c

2.42±0.30c

2.22±0.31a

2.62±0.31a

2.64±0.31a

2.69±0.11c

2.31±0.12a

2.31±0.06a

3.54±0.05c

3.55±0.16c

2.59±0.04a

2.75±0.11c

3.33±0.18c

3.58±0.30c

After Treatment with Unripe

Peels

After Treatment with Ripe

Peels

Table 2: Result of Heavy metal parameters of effluent before and after biotreatment with plantain peels

Treatment

Before Treatment

Week

Cadmium

Copper

Mercury

Lead

Iron

1.84±0.26i

1.68±0.08h

1.46±0.02g

1.44±0.17g

1.27±0.17f

1.18±0.04ef

1.04±0.03e

0.82±0.11d

0.71±0.10bc

0.62±0.16b

0.59±0.06b

0.35±0.14a

1.71±5.71g

1.38±0.09f

1.18±0.13ef

1.11±0.13e

1.04±0.23e

1.01±0.17e

0.87±0.14d

0.58±0.32c

0.27±0.35b

0.11±0.13a

0.10±0.05a

0.09±0.10a

15.44±0.12i

11.44±0.11i

10.81±0.11h

10.08±0.11h

8.98±0.26g

6.96±0.05f

4.32±0.15e

1.55±0.36d

0.96±0.55c

0.59±0.23b

0.39±0.08a

0.36±0.04a

Unripe Peels

Ripe Peels

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2020, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages: 310-313

.3 Experimental Design

Ten grams of triplicate samples plantain peels were

after the unripe peel treatment levels of copper in the effluent

significantly (<0.05) reduced to 1.27 mg/l, 1.18 mg/l, 1.04

mg/l, and 0.83 mg/l in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively (Table

2).

weighed using weighing balance and distinctly macerated in

Litres of the collected effluent sample. The results were

monitored for the aforementioned parameters weekly for a

period of one month.

Mercury was not detected in the effluent before and after

treatment (Table 2). The bioassay for lead indicated that the

levels of lead before treatment were 1.71 mg/l in week 1,

1.38 mg/l in week 2, 1.18 mg/l in week 3 and 1.11 mg/l in

week 4 (Table 2). Treatment with unripe peels showed that

the lead levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced to 1.11

mg/l in week 1, 1.04 mg/l in week 2, 1.01 mg/l in week 3 and

0.87 mg/l in week 4 (Table 2).

Results on iron levels showed that before treatment iron

level was 15.44 mg/l in week 1, 11.44 mg/l in week 2, 10.81

mg/l in week 3 and 10.08 mg/l in week 4 (Table 2). After

treatment with the unripe peels, levels of iron reduced

significantly to 8.98 mg/l in week 1, 6.96 mg/l in week 2,

.4 Statistical analysis

All emerging data were subjected to statistical analysis

using Version 20 of SPSS, One Way Analysis of variance

ANOVA) was utilized for mean separation, while Duncan

(

multiple range statistic was used to establish the significance

of the observed differences at P=0.05.

Results and Discussion

Results of the physicochemical quality of the effluent

before and after treatment are presented in Table 1. Before

treatment, results on pH level from weeks 1 - 4 was; 4.22

1.32 mg/l in week 3, and 1.55 mg/l in week 4 (Table 2).

Furthermore, the bioassay treatment with ripe peels was

most active in reducing iron levels to 0.96 mg/l in week 1,

(

week 1), 4.66 (week 2), 4.70 (week 3), and 4.77 in week 4.

The treatment with the unripe plantain peel demonstrated

significant (P<0.05) improvement in pH level in week 1

0.59 mg/l in week 2, 0.39 mg/l in week 3, and 0.36 mg/l in

week 4. In summary, it was observed that treatment

improved water quality with respect to the analysed

parameters as the weeks progressed. However, it was

observed that the ripe plantain peels treatment was more

effective than the unripe plantain peels treatment.

Effective treatment of polluted water samples with parts

of plantain have been documented in literature in a previous

study. Acidic and high iron containing water was treated

with the leaves, stem and trunk of plantain by Ohimain et al.,

(

5.24), week 2 (5.73), week 3 (6.48) and week 4 (6.57).

Furthermore, the ripe peel bioassay was the most effective

treatment which improved the pH levels of 5.93, 5.94, 6.58

and 6.80 in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively (Table 1).

The Dissolved oxygen level of the effluent before

treatment was reported as 3.07 mg/l in week 1, 3.57 mg/l in

week 2, 3.59 in week 3 and 3.97 mg/l in week 4. After

treatment with the unripe plantain peels, DO level of the

effluent improved significantly (p<0.05) to 4.10 mg/l in

week 1, 4.31 mg/l in week 2, 4.42 mg/l in week 3 and 4.88

mg/l in week 4. The unripe plantain peel was the most

effective with improved DO levels to 4.40 mg/l in week 1,

[

10]. After 4 weeks of treatment, acidic pH levels reduced

from 4.15 mg/l – 6.48 mg/l for leaf treatment, 4.15 mg/l –

.85 mg/l for bract treatment, and 4.15 mg/l – 7.88 mg/l, for

the leaves treatment. In the same study effective iron

treatment was reported for the leaves (8.62 mg/l – 1.05 mg/l),

bracts (8.62 mg/l – 2.12 mg/l), and trunk (8.62 mg/l – 0.11

mg/l).

In another study, the unripe peels of plantain were

reported to have reduced iron concentration from 11.44 mg/l

to 9.98mg/l in week 1, 7.96mg/l in week 2, 4.92mg/l in week

4.54 mg/l in week 2, 4.59 mg/l in week 3, and 4.96 mg/l in

week 4 (Table 1).

The Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of the effluent

before treatment was 1.44 mg/l, 1.44 mg/l, 1.44 mg/l and

.11 mg/l in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. However,

treatment with unripe plantain peels showed improvement to

.10 mg/l (week 1), 4.31 mg/l (week 2), 4.42 mg/l (week 3),

3, and 1.55mg/l in week 4 [11]. For the ripe plantain peel

and 4.88 mg/l in week 4. Furthermore, the unripe plantain

peel treatment had more efficacy with BOD levels of 1.38

mg/l in week 1, 1.53 mg/l in week 2, 2.21 mg/l in week 3 and

treatment results were reported as; 7.96 mg/l (week 1), 6.39

mg/l (week 2), 3.08 mg/l in week 3, and 0.86 mg/l in week 4

[11]. In the same study, they reported that the pH treatment

2.42 mg/l in week 4.

for unripe peels was; 5.34 in week 1, 5.83 in week 2, 6.34 in

week 3, and 6.56 in week 4. Meanwhile, the ripe peel was

Prior to the biotreatment the concentrations of chemical

oxygen demand of the effluent was 2.22 mg/l in week 1, 2.62

mg/l in week 2, 2.64 mg/l in week 3 and 2.69 mg/l in week

.53 in week 1, 5.59 week 2, 6.55 in week 3 and 6.70 in week

. The mechanism of treatment is yet to be unravelled.

4. Treatment with the unripe plantain peels improved COD

Although biosorption by the plant and presence of

phytochemicals are suspected mechanism.

levels to 2.31 mg/l in week 1, 2.54 mg/l in week 2, 2.55 mg/l

in week 3 and 2.75 mg/l in week 4. There was more

improvement in the COD level of the effluent when unripe

peel was applied with values of 2.59 mg/l in week 1, 2.75

mg/l in week 2, 3.33 mg/l in week 3 and 3.58 mg/l in week

Conclusions

The persistent and anthropogenic discharged of point-

(Table 1).

sourced untreated effluent into aquatic ecosystem is a

regrettable and unfortunate action. In this research treatment

was applied to point source effluent using unripe and ripe

peels of plantain. Fortunately, the biotreatment of the water

with ripe and unripe plantain peels resulted to significant

(p<0.05), improvement of all physicochemical properties

assessed. Similarly, the treatemts were able to reduce heavy

metal concentration significantly (p<0.05). based on the

The result of heavy metal concentrations before and after

treatment is presented in Table 2. Prior to treatment, the level

of cadmium was below detection limit and remained so after

the applied treatments were concluded (Table 2). Results on

the levels of copper before treatment were 1.84, 1.68, 1.46

and 1.44 mg/l in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. However,

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Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2020, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages: 310-313

outcome of this research we therefore recommend the further

development and application of plantain for the biotreatment

of toxic effluent.

Motorman-JINSR Nigeria, OSMERT

NigeriaTrainer-GBMC, MLC, SEEMP,

Sweden.

Dr. Youkparigha, F.O. is a Science Teacher

and Environmentalist that has taught

biology for over 20 years. He holds B.Sc

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Author Profile

Dr. T.C.N Angaye hails from Bayelsa

State, Nigeria. He is Scholar,

Enviromentalist and Researcher with over

0 Publications in Local and International

Journals. He obtained his B.Sc, M.Sc &

Ph.D degrees from the Niger Delta

University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria where he

is currently a Lecturer.

Mr. Egbegi E. M. was born in 1981 at

Ebedebiri, Bayelsa State. He is

researcher, Maritime Inspector and a trainer

in the Maritime field, presently teaching at

the Nigerian Maritime University,

Okerenkoko, warri, Delta State Nigeria. He

has an M.Sc. From the renowned World

Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden.

B.Sc. From Niger Delta university,

Nigeria,Diploma-Esberge,

Denmark,

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