Physicochemical Analysis of Palm Oil Effluent and its Environmental Effects at Daru, Eastern Sierra Leone

Abstract

This research was conducted between August 2021 and October 2021, to investigate the Physicochemical parameters of palm oil mill effluent (POME) samples from the Gold tree milling site and water samples from the nearby water body (River Moa) in Daru and Yengema in Kailahun District Eastern part of Sierra Leone. The pH values of the palm oil mill effluent ranged from 4.4±0.42 to 7.05±0.35. From the study’s findings, the acidity of the effluent samples decreases rapidly from the first compartment (P1) to the third compartment (P3). The total suspended solids readings of the POME samples from the three dumpsite compartments varied from 6.2±1.27 to 15.1±3.3 mg/l. The average TSS value in the P1 compartment was the highest, while the TSS value in the P3 compartment was the lowest. TSS levels decreases gradually at the dumpsite according to palm oil mill effluent samples studied from P1 to P3, this indicates the total suspended solids keep on decreasing while been conveyed by a pipe network from the industry to the final point of discharged. As a result of the laboratory findings, both human and aquatic life in the vicinity of the oil palm industry (Gold Tree) particularly the wastewater dumpsite is at risk. The chemical oxygen demand of the water samples (W) ranged between 16.25-140.60 mg/L with an average value of 78.4±87.9. Phosphate levels in the water sample were much greater than the permissible WHO, NESREA, and FAO guidelines of 3.5, 0-5.00, and 0-2 mg/L, respectively. However, some Physicochemical parameters of the water samples were found to be higher than Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and other specified permissible limits implying that the River Moa closest to the dumpsite is somehow unsafe for domestic and drinking purposes and other activities except a good treatment system is employed.