IMPACT OF THE EFFLUENT DISCHARGE FROM A BREWERY PLANT ON THREE COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

A preliminary assessment of the extent of pollution of water, soil and plant due to an effluent discharge from a brewery industry to the territory of three rural communities in Ibadan municipality was carried out. Chemical analysis of the brewery effluent, receiving stream, ground (well) water, soil and plant samples taken randomly from cultivated land at the stream bank were carried out. The results showed higher concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni in most of the water samples with values higher than the WHO, EU and USA standards tolerant levels. The pH for the stream and well water ranged between 5.35 and 6.65, some of which are below the WHO recommended levels of between 6.0 and 9.0 meant for human consumption. Furthermore, the pH of sampled soils ranged from 4.75 to 5.35 indicating acid medium, while concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu and Ni were observed to be higher in some of the soil samples compared to the reference samples both at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. However, plant analysis results showed that some of the samples contained high levels of Cu, Fe and Mn, while Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr were not detected. There was therefore contamination of surface and ground water, which could probably be hazardous to human health when used primarily for domestic purposes. KEY WORDS: Effluent; Heavy metals; Water pollution; Soil pollution. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Science Vol.10(1) 2004: 211-21

Produção e qualidade de frutos de tomateiro cultivado em substrato com zeólita Yield and fruit quality of tomato grown in substrate with zeolite

Avaliou-se a produção e a qualidade dos frutos de tomateiro cv. Finestra, cultivado em substrato com zeólita enriquecida com N, P e K. Os tratamentos utilizados foram quatro doses (20; 40; 80 e 160 g por vaso) de zeólitas enriquecidas com H3PO4/apatita, KNO3 e KH2PO4, além de uma testemunha cultivada em solução nutritiva. Foram avaliados a produção de frutos por vaso, firmeza, sólidos totais, pH, acidez titulável e ácido ascórbico dos frutos, dos 80 aos 90 dias de cultivo. O fornecimento de nutrientes através do mineral zeólita enriquecido com N, P e K comprovou ser uma alternativa para o aumento da produção. As maiores produções foram obtidas nos tratamentos com adição de P e K e nas maiores doses de zeólita (160 e 80 g por vaso). A produção de frutos foi 11 a 17% maior em relação à testemunha cultivada com solução nutritiva. Houve efeitos positivos das zeólitas enriquecidas com fontes de fósforo sobre a firmeza e efeito negativo sobre o pH. A firmeza dos frutos variou 104% entre tratamentos, de 7,06 N (ZNK 160) a 14,38 (ZPK 40). O aumento da disponibilidade de potássio contribuiu para o aumento do teor de ácido ascórbico dos frutos.<br>We evaluated yield and quality of tomato fruits, cv. Finestra, grown in a zeolite substrate enriched with N, P and K. Treatments comprised four levels (20; 40; 80 and 160 g per pot) of zeolite enriched with H3PO4/apatite, KNO3 and KH2PO4, and a control grown in a nutrient solution. Fruit production, firmness, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were evaluated from 80 to 90 days of plant cultivation. Nutrients supplied through the mineral zeolite enriched with N, P and K was an adequate alternative to increase the production. Higher fruit production was obtained with addition of P and K and higher zeolite dosis (160 and 80 g per pot). Fruit production was 11% and 17% higher when compared to the plants grown in nutritive solution (check treatment). Positive effects were observed in P-enriched zeolites in relation to fruit firmness, and negative effects over fruit pH. Fruit firmness varied 104% among treatments, from 7.06N (ZNK 160) to 14.38N (ZPK 40). The increase of potassium availablity increased the ascorbic acid levels of the fruits