See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/49604247

Studies on the pollution of waterbody by textile effluents in.Lagos, Nigeria

Article · January 2010

Source: DOAJ

CITATIONS READS

49 3,950

4 authors, including:

Awonusi Julius Awomeso Adewale Matthew Taiwo

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Birmingham
47 PUBLICATIONS   459 CITATIONS    13 PUBLICATIONS   391 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Pollution Studies in Nigeria Environment View project

Water Quality Monitoring of Coastal Area of Ondo State Southwestern Nigeria View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Awonusi Julius Awomeso on 04 February 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria. ISSN 0126-2807

Volume 5, Number 4: 353-359, October-December, 2010

© T2010 Department of Environmental Engineering
Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Surabaya
& Indonesian Society of Sanitary and Environmental Engineers, Jakarta
Open Access http://www.trisanita.org

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Research Paper

STUDIES ON THE POLLUTION OF WATERBODY BY TEXTILE INDUSTRY

EFFLUENTS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

AWOMESO, J.A.1, TAIWO, A.M.2*, GBADEBO, A.M.2 and ADENOWO, J.A.1

1Department of Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology, College of Environmental Resource
Management, University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
2Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Environmental Resource

Management, University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author: Phone: +2348034898675; E-mail: taiwoademat2003@yahoo.com

Received: 28th May 2010; Revised: 30th August 2010; Accepted: 3rd September 2010

Abstract: Water pollution arises from introduction of foreign materials capable of

deteriorating water quality into a waterbody, hence, posing negative effects on aquatic
lives and human health. Industrial effluents accounts for several point sources of water
pollution. To quantify the impacts of these industrial discharges on water bodies, water
samples from a stream polluted by a textile industry were collected at twelve sampling
points with sampling intervals of 50 m. Samples were analyzed using standard
procedures. The parameters determined were: temperature, turbidity, pH, Electrical
conductivity (EC), color, total dissolved solids (TDS), suspended solids (SS), total solids
(TS) dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate, nitrate,
sulphate, chloride, hardness, alkalinity, metals (Chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead
(Pb), potassium (K)) and total coliform. Results showed that parameters: (colour, EC,
SS, TDS, TSS, nitrate, phosphate, COD and TC) recorded high values at the discharge
point (0 m) and points 50 m, 100 m after the discharge point respectively. Zero values
of DO observed at these sampling points showed that the stream was heavily polluted
and may not likely support aquatic lives. Metal values of the stream were generally low.
This study also revealed that the values of most water parameters were higher than
international permissible standards in drinking water, thereby, rendering the stream
useless for domestic, agriculture and industrial purposes. This study, therefore,
recommends that wastewater from the textile industry should be treated before being
discharge into the water body.

Keywords: Pollution, textile effluent, water quality parameters, discharge point

353
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION

The importance of water to all lives cannot be overemphasized as it forms greater

percentage of all biomass. Water is also a vital resource, which human activities depended upon
in the areas such as agriculture, industry, transportation, domestic uses etc. However, water
represents the most abused, poorly managed and polluted resource by men and their activities
(1,2). Industrial effluents, (3,4,5,6), urban runoff, direct disposal of wastes into the water bodies,
agricultural fertilizer and animal wastes (4,7) remain the major water contaminants. These
activities often lead to alteration of water quality by raising the physico-chemical parameters
above the allowable limits (1,8,9). Pollution of water bodies is a phenomenon of concern in the
developing nations of the world. For instance, in Lagos, which is the industrial center of Nigeria;
industrial effluents are discharged directly into the drainage systems without treatment by many
industries. The drainage systems are channeled into canals, which empty their contents into the
rivers and lagoon. The implication of this is the pollution of surface water with consequent effects
on human health. Effluents from industries had been known to contaminate water, soil and air
with associated heavy disease burden and eventual shorter life expectancy in developing
countries (10). The presence of poisonous chemicals in industrial effluent may pose health threat
to both humans and animals as well as contamination of water quality (11) The objective of this
study is to assess the impacts of textile industry effluent discharges on the water quality of the
nearby water resources (Ibeshe stream).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Area
The study was conducted on a stream around a textile industries located in Ibeshe, Ikorodu,
Lagos state (the industrial capital of Nigeria with a population of over ten-million people), which
lies between longitude 3o 25 1 - 3 o 301 E and latitude 6 o 2 1 - 6 o 301 N.

Sampling and Samples collection

Water samples were collected from Ibeshe stream where the textile industry emptied its
effluents directly into the stream. Twelve (12) sampling locations were identified from the
discharge point (0 m) of the textile industry to about 600 m after the discharge point at 50 m
interval. Samples were collected with 2 liters white plastic kegs, which have been thoroughly
washed with nitric acid and then rinsed many times with distilled water. Samples for metal
analysis were fixed in-situ with 2 mL concentrated hydrochloric acid while the samples for
microbial analysis were collected with sterilized McCartney bottles. All samples were preserved
inside a refrigerator except samples for microbial analysis, which were analyzed within 24 hours.

Samples Analysis
Sample analysis was carried using standard procedures. Temperature was measured using
mercury in glass thermometer; turbidity, pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), color and TDS were
determined in-situ electronically with appropriate meters. Dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured
by DO meter. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was determined by convectional reflux method,
followed by colorimetric measurement at wavelength 435nm. Phosphate was determined
colorimetrically using vanado-molybdate method. Nitrate was also determined by salycyclate
colorimetric method (12). Hardness was obtained by EDTA titrimetric methods (13). Suspended
solids (SS) was measured gravimetrically while total solid was obtained by the sum of SS and

354
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

TDS. Chloride was determined by Mohr’s silver-nitrate titration method. Alkalinity was obtained by
titrimetric method. Metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS)
method. Microbial analysis was carried out by plate count method (12).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Shown in Table 1 are the results of water parameters observed at each sampling location
from the discharge point (0 m) to the last sampling point (600 m). The results exhibited
considerable variations from point to point with most of the parameters observed recording the
highest values at the discharge point.

Table 1: Physico-chemical parameters of Ibeshe stream at different sampling points from the
discharge point (0 m)
Sampling Distance from discharge point (0 m)
Parameters 0m 50 m 100 m 150 m 200 m 250 m 300 m 350 m 400 m 450 m 500 m 550 m
Temperature (oC) 30.1 29.7 27 27 34 34 33 31 31 30 28 29
Color (TCU) 972 850 10 10 10 10 40 10 100 10 606 40
Turbidity NTU 9.1 12.0 4.3 3.0 1.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 7.8 1.0 14.4 1.0
pH 6.30 6.93 7.90 7.14 7.71 8.23 2.21 1.96 7.40 7.35 7.77 2.21
EC (µS cm-1) 17200 18000 1670 35500 33900 1570 43200 41500 2000 2200 19500 43200
DO (mg L-1) 0.0 0.0 1.52 2.95 3.05 3.25 3.25 2.84 2.54 1.93 0 3.25
TDS (mg L-1) 22471 45216 6724 2117 1668 3148 2202 14185 1055 1278 673 2202
TSS (mg L-1) 1513 151 63 60 80 10 10 10 10 50 42 10
TS (mg L-1) 23984 45367 6787 2177 1748 3158 2212 14195 1065 1328 715 2212
Alkalinity (mg L-1) 220 450 50 80 10 20 80 120 10 80 380 80
Chloride (mg L-1) 12 50 10 0 0 14 0 0 170 194 0 0
Sulphate (mg L-1) 19 29 10 660 690 5 530 570 27 17 54 530
Nitrate (mg L-1) 106.6 19.7 1.3 1.2 0.9 1.0 3.2 2.5 3.3 85.0 3.0 5.7
Phosphate (mg L-1) 2.76 6.02 2.64 1.92 1.0 2.65 1.05 2.56 2.7 4.28 1.70 3.57
COD (mg L-1) 890 600 214 1703 1172 10 1693 860 1901 10 9 210
Cr (mg L-1) 0.01 ND ND 0.01 0.01 ND ND ND ND 0.01 0.01 0.01
Fe (mg L-1) ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Zn (mg L-1) 0.07 0.03 0.10 0.01 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01
Pb (mg L-1) ND ND 0.07 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
K (mg L-1) 0.37 0.15 0.66 5.93 7.51 0.06 0.09 4.09 5.76 2.82 3.56 4.48
TC (cfu/mL) 167 172 80 156 123 80 159 173 162 179 158 182
ND-Not Detected

Temperature
Water temperature varied from 27.0-34.0 oC with sampling points 200 m and 250 m after the
discharge point recording the highest temperature respectively. Decomposition of organic matters
by coliforms could lead to heat generation and this might have contributed to the high water
temperature (14). High values of COD at all sampling points showed high levels of decomposable
organic matters. Generally, the water temperature was higher than CEC (1988) standard of 25 oC
in natural water, thereby indicating thermal pollution of the stream.

355
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

pH
pH values ranged from 1.96 to 8.23. The pH of the stream at sampling points 300 m, 350 m
and 550 m after the discharge point was very acidic. This might pose ecological problem at these
points in terms of the release of heavy metals into the stream as well as wanton destruction of
aquatic lives. Other sampling points showed a normal pH range of 6.5-8.5 standards in drinking
water (16).

Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity (EC) of the stream (1570-43200 µS cm-1) at different sampling points
was generally higher than WHO standard given as 250 µS cm-1 (16). This might be connected
with the release of chemical salts from the textile industry as well as influx of lagoon water. One
of the effects of EC in water is the impacts on the taste of water (17).

Color
The color values of the stream varied from 0 to 972 TCU. The high value of color observed
might be linked to chemicals used in textile making and dying that is discharged into the stream
(18). This was evident as the highest color value was observed at the discharge point and at the
immediate sampling point (50 m).

Turbidity
Turbidity value of the stream varied between 0 and 144 NTU with sampling point taken 500
m after the discharge point downstream recording the highest turbidity value. Turbidity in stream
may be associated with microorganisms, plant fibers, sawdust, wood ashes, chemicals and coal
dust with impact on light penetration into the stream (reduces photosynthesis), water coloration
and reduction in dissolved oxygen.

Solids
The amount of solids in the stream were high between discharge point and sampling site
100 m after the discharge point downstream; suspended solid (SS) was in the range of 10-1513
mg L-1, total dissolved solids (TDS): 673-45216 mg L-1 and total solids (TS): 715-23984 mg L-1.
WHO (16) has recommended TDS and TS values of 500 mg L-1 and 2000 mg L-1 respectively in
drinking water. The levels of TDS and TS in this stream were greater than WHO value. TDS is not
deemed to be associated with health effects, but it is rather used as an indication of aesthetic
characteristics of drinking water and as an aggregate indicator of presence of a broad array of
chemical contaminants (18). According to Olayinka (19), effluents from textile industries are
capable of increasing TDS of water body. Lee and Lin (20) described solids concentration as
important characteristic of wastewater.

Dissolved oxygen
Dissolved oxygen (DO) varied from 0.0 to 3.25 mg L-1 with sampling site 500 m recording
zero concentration of DO. The low DO of the stream might be linked directly to high value of
nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) observed from the stream with subsequent high coliform
populations which might have reduced the DO (21). This implies that the effluent discharge from
the textile industry might have released high oxygen-demanding wastes (4). Environmental
implication of low DO is death of aquatic organisms (22).

356
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Alkalinity
The stream has alkalinity range of 10-450 mg L-1 with sampling point 100 m after the
discharge point recording the highest value. The use of soaps during textile production might
have increased the concentration of carbonates and hence alkalinity of the stream (2).

Water Anions
Chloride concentration of the stream varied from 0-194 mg L-1. Most of the points recorded
zero value of chloride. However, chloride concentrations fell within permissible standard of 250
mg L-1 (10, 16). Sulphate ranged between 5.0-690 mg L-1, nitrate, 0.9-106.6 mg L-1 and
phosphate, 1.0-6.02 mg L-1. The value of nitrate at the discharge point was extremely very high
(106.6 mg L-1). Nitrate at this concentration could cause cancer in human (23). At sampling point
450 m after the discharge point, the concentration of 85.0 mg L-1 nitrate value recorded was also
very high greater than WHO standard of 50 mg L-1 in drinking water. This is an indication of high
nitrate pollution. Phosphate is not of health concern but rather of environmental concern in term
of nutrient enrichment of surface water. Phosphate value of 0.1 mg L-1 has been recommended in
surface water (24), the result obtained in this study is far above this standard indicating the
pollution of the stream. High phosphate value of a stream could also lead to oxygen reduction
with subsequent effect on aquatic organisms (21). The sulphate values at sampling points 150 m,
200 m, 300 m, 350 m and 550 m were higher than 250 mg L-1 permissible standard in drinking
water (24). At these sampling points, the values of sulphate are capable of causing ailments such
as catharsis, dehydration and gastrointestinal irritation (25).

Chemical oxygen demand

The value of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the studied stream varied between 10 and
1703 mg L-1. Sample taken 400 m after the discharge point recorded the highest COD value.
Most of the sites have high values of COD. The permissible standard of COD in drinking water is
255 mg L-1. High COD in water indicates the presence of biologically resistant organic substances
(26). The elevated values of COD in this study were in line with the study of Olayinka (19) who
found a high value of COD in groundwater close to textile effluent discharge.

Metal Concentrations
The values of metals in the sampling stream ranged as follows: chromium (ND- 0.01 mg L-1),
zinc (0.01 - 0.10 mg L-1), Lead (ND - 0.07 mg L-1), potassium (0.15 - 7.51 mg L-1). At the
discharge point, lead was not detected, but had a high value of 0.07 mg L-1 at point 100 m after
the discharge point. This value was higher than WHO standard given as 0.01 mg L-1 in drinking
water. Health implications of high concentration of lead include anemia, kidney damage and
cerebral edema (28, 29). Chromium, zinc and potassium values fell within the permissible
standards (30). Heavy metals have been associated with the textile effluents by Yusuff and
Sonibare (30). Similarly, Sekhar et al. (31) linked the heavy metal contamination of an area to
industrial effluent discharge.

Bacteria count
Total coliform (TC) of the stream varied between 80 to 179 cfu/100 mL with sampling site
550 m after the effluent discharge point recording the highest values followed by point 450 m.
Generally, the coliform values were high when compared with both national and international
permissible limits. WHO has recommended 0 cfu/mL in drinking water (16) while FEPA (29) gave
coliform value of 400 MPN/mL in effluent. The presence of TC in water is an indication of

357
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

contamination by human sewage or animal droppings which could contain disease-causing

organisms.

CONCLUSION

The results of various water parameters analysed in this study suggested that the effluents
being discharged into the stream by the textile industry have considerable negative effects on the
water quality of the sampled stream and as such, the stream is polluted and the water is not good
for human consumption and domestic use. Based on this, it is therefore recommended that the
effluents from the textile industry should be treated before being disposed into the waterbodies.

References
1. Fakayode S. O., 2005. Impact of industrial effluents on water quality of the receiving Alaro River in
Ibadan, Nigeria, Ajeam-Ragee, 10, 1-13.
2. Phiri, O., P. Mumba, B. H. Z. Moyo and W. Kadewa, 2005. Assessment of the impact of industrial
effluents on water quality of receiving rivers in urban areas of Malawi. International Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology, 2 ( 3): 237-244.
3. Chindah A. C., Braide A. S. and Sibeudu O. C., 2004. Distribution of hydrocarbons and heavy metals
in sediment and a crustacean (shrimps-Penaeus notialis) from the bonny/new Calabar river
estuary, Niger Delta. Ajeam-Ragee, 9, 1-14.
4. Emongor, V., Kealotswe E., Koorapetse I., Sankwasa S.and Keikanetswe S., 2005. Pollution
indicators in Gaberone effluent. Journal of Applied Science, 5, 147-150.
5. Furtado A. A. L., Albuquerque R. T., Leite S. G. F. and Pecanha R. P., 1998. Effect of Hydraulic
retention time on nitrification in an airlift biological reactor. Journal of Chemical Engineering,
15 (3): 303-307.
6. Ugochukwu, C. N. C., 2004. Effluent monitoring of an oil servicing company and its impact on the
environment. Ajeam-Ragee, 8, 27-30.
7. Altman S. J. and Parizek R. R., 1995. Dilution of non- point source nitrate in ground water. Journal of
Environmental Quality, 24, 707-717.
8. Adekunle, I.M., Adetunji, M. T., Gbadebo, A. M. and Banjoko, O. B., 2007. Assessment of
groundwater quality in a typical rural settlement in southwest, Nigeria. International Journal
Environment Public Health, 4(4): 307-318.
9. Orebiyi, E.O., A.J. Awomeso, O. Martins, A.O.Idowu, O. Oguntoke and A.M Taiwo, 2010.
Assessment of Pollution Hazards of Shallow Well Water in Abeokuta and Environs. American
Journal of Environmental Sciences. 6 (1): 50-56.
10. WHO, 2003. The World Health Report 2003: Shaping the Future, World Health Organization, 1211
Geneva 27, Switzerland.
11. Novick R., 1999. Overview and the Health in Europe in the 1990s, World Health Organization, Europe
Regional Office, Copenhagen, EUR/ICP/EH/CO 02 02 05/6, pp 20.
12. Ademoroti, C.M.O., 1996. Standard methods for water and effluents analysis. Foludex Press Ltd.,
Ibadan. Pp.32-118.
13. AOAC, 2002. Official methods of analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Maryland,
USA. 17th. Ed., Association of Official American Chemists (AOAC).
14. Taiwo, A.M., 2010. Environmental impact of poultry farm operations on Alakata stream at Isolu in
Abeokuta, Nigeria (2010). Masters Thesis. Department of Environmental Management and
Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
15. CEC (Commission of European Communities), 1988. European community environmental legislation:
1967-1987. Document Number XI/989/87. Directorate-General for Environment, Consumer
Protection and Nuclear Safety. Brussels, Belgium. 229 pp.

358
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

16. World Health Organisation, 1998. World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Drinking water, Vol. 1,
Geneva.
17. Langeneggar, O., 1990. Groundwater quality in rural areas of western African UNDP Project 81(26):
10.
18. Wikipedia, 2010. Total Dissolved Solids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids.
Accessed 22/08/2010.
19. Olayinka K. O., 2004. Studies on industrial pollution in Nigeria: The effect of textile effluents on the
quality of groundwater in some parts of Lagos. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical
Sciences, 3, 44-50.
20. Lee C.C. and Lin S.D., 1999. Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations, McGraw Hill,
New York. Pp 1504.
21. D’Amelio, S., 2007. Preliminary water quality at Springbank Dam, Thames river, London, Ontario.
Trout Unlimited Canada Technical report No. ON-020. p.7-11.
22. Chapelle, G. and Petts, E., 2004. Amphipod crustacean size spectra: New insights in the relationship
between size and oxygen. Oikos : 612-623.
23. McCasland, M., Trautmann, N.M., Robert, R. J. and Porter, K. S., 2007. Center for Environmental
Research and Natural resources. Cornell Cooperative Extension Nitrate: Health effects in
drinking water.
24. USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), 1986. Quality criteria for water. Office of
water Regulation and standards, Washington dc, usepa-40015-86-256 pp. Secondary
Drinking Water Regulations; Synthetic Organic Chemicals and Inorganic Chemicals. Federal
Register. Vol. 55. No. 143. 30370.
25. Bertram, J. and Balance, R., 1996. A practical guide to the design and implementation of freshwater,
quality studies and monitoring programmes. Published on behalf of United Nations
Environmental Programmes (UNEP) and World Health Organization (WHO), E & FN Spoon
Publishers. pp.172-177, 192-196.
26. Sawyer C.C. and McCarty P.L., 1978. Chemistry for Environmental Engineers, McGraw Hill, New
York. pp 331–514.
27. Townsend, A ed., 1995. Encyclopaedia of Analytical Science, Academic Press, London. Vol 4.
28. Egborge, A.B.M., 1991. Industrialization and heavy metal pollution in Warri River, University of
Benin Press, Inaugural lecture series 32.
29. Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), 1991. Water Quality, Federal Water Standards,
Guidelines and Standard for Environmental Pollution Control in Nigeria, National
Environmental Standards – Part 2 and 3, Government Press, Lagos p. 238.
30. Yusuff, R.O. and Sonibare, J.A., 2004. Characterization of textile industries’ effluents in Kaduna,
Nigeria and pollution implications. Global Nest: the International Journal 6(3): 212-221.
31. Sekhar K.C., Chary N.S., Kamala C.T., Rao J.V., Balaram V. and Anjaneyuly Y., 2003. Risk
assessment and pathway study of arsenic in industrially contaminated sites of Hyderabad: A
case study, Environmental International, 29: 601–611.

359
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.
 Awomeso, J.A., Taiwo, A.M., Gbadebo, A.M. and Adenowo, J.A, 2010. Studies on the Pollution of Waterbody by
Textile Industry Effluents in Lagos, Nigeria.

[This page is intentionally left blank]

360
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 5 (4): 353-359.

View publication stats