Effect of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) wastes on the quality of Nworie river, Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Analysis of S. officinarum (sugar cane) rinds–contaminated water sample and its effect on the quality of Nworie River (West-end) Owerri, Nigeria, was investigated. The results of the physicochemical and microbiological parameters were compared to those of two other samples: the free flowing point of the same river three hundred meters before the dumping point and treated tap water which serves as control. In almost all the physicochemical parameters analyzed, the S. officinarum rinds-contaminated water sample gave the highest value compared to the other samples, although some of the values were within WHO/FEPA accepted water standard. The total microbial loads are 4.5x105 cfu/ml for S. officinarum rinds-contaminated sample, 2.8x105 cfu/ml for sample upstream before the dumping point and 0.8 x 102 cfu/ml for treated tap water. The study shows that the indiscriminate discharge of sugar cane rinds by the Hausa sugar cane sellers into Nworie River at west end Owerri, could be a potential threat to the quality of the river if not properly and timely checked.

Keywords: Saccharum officinarum rinds, water contamination, physicochemical, microbiological parameters.