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Research Journal of Biology, 2: 60 - 65 (2014)
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): A Sustainable Resource for Rural
Dwellers in Imo State, Nigeria
Leonard Mgbeahuruike Udochi1,2*, Henry Nwakamma1, Joseph Nwachukwu
Ikechukwu1, Martins Dike Uzoma1 and Uzochukwu Enwereuzoh1
1
Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri PMB 1526 Imo State,
2
Nigeria; Department of Chemistry & Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
(UK).
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of physicochemical parameters of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) on soil
properties of Umorgu environs using grid sampling technique. Four (4) composite samples, each made of two (2)
replicate cores (0-15) & (15-30) cm samples in the direction of natural drainage were collected from the impacted
area as against a control point established on an area not impacted with POME. The parameters; Organic
2
Carbon(OC), Total
nitrogen(N), Sulphate (SO4 ), Calcium(Ca), Magnesium(Mg), Potassium(K),Sodium(Na),
Phosphorus(P), %Sand,% Silt,% Clay, Phosphate(P), Moisture Content(MC) and Electrical Conductivity(EC) were
analyzed for impacted soil while Oil & Grease, Total Dissolved Solid(TDS), Total Suspended Solid(TSS),Biological
Oxygen Demand(BOD),Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD) and Dissolved Oxygen(DO) were analysed for effluent using
standard methods of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Flame Photometry (Jackson & Black 1965).
The results of the regression equation showed that SP1 (3.30+1.556CP) was most and SP4 (2.13+1.007CP) was least
influenced by POME due to the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and sulfate (SO 4) concentrations of their soil. POME
is a resource of economic value when properly harnessed.
Key Words: Agroecology, bioresource, cation exchange capacity, POME.
(Received: 10/05/2014; Accepted: 09/06/2014; Published: 30/06/2014)
palm oil produced, 5-7.5 tonnes of water end up as palm
oil mill effluent (POME) (Okwute and Isu, 2009).
Despite the environmental degradation occasioned
by improper discharge and poor utilization of effluent, the
cultivation and processing of oil palm is a source of
livelihood for many rural dwellers in Nigeria (Ohimain,
2012). Oil palms are of multiple values and are crops of
high economic importance that are often underscored
(PIND, 2011). In order to overcome medium and long term
hardship occasioned by poverty, food insecurity and
environmental damage, there is need by rural dwellers to
explore the diverse valuable resources contained in POME
effluent. Studies have shown the application of POME as
fertilizer, Agamuthu (1995), animal feed substitute
Devendra (2004), production of various metabolites wu et
al. (2007) and as a food source by aquatic organism Habib
et al. (1997).
The objective of this study is to investigate; I) the
physicochemical parameters of the soil and the mill
effluent (II) to evaluate POME as a resource index.
Introduction
Palm oil is edible oil which is derived from the fleshly
mesocarp of the fruit of oil palm. It has become a major
global agricultural commodity, used for food and non-food
applications and mostly recently touted as a promising
feedstock for bio fuel production. Currently, Nigeria is the
fifth world’s leading producer of palm oil (Nnorom, 2012).
One hectare of oil palm produces 10-35 tons of fresh fruit
brunches (FFB) per year. The waste products associated
with oil palm processing consist of oil palm trunks (OPT),
palm oil fronds(OPF), empty fruit brunches (EFB) palm
press fiber (PPF) and palm kernel shells, less fibrous
material such as palm kernel cake and liquid discharged
palm oil mill effluent (POME) (Aziz et al., 2007).
While the oil palm industry has featured prominently
in its contribution towards economic growth and
development, it has also in no small measure contributed
to ecological deterioration due to the production of
appreciable quantities of by-products from the oil
extraction process.
In major oil palm producing nations like Indonesia
and Malaysia, production of crude oil results in an annual
production of up to 3 billion pounds of palm oil effluent.
These effluents generally contain materials which at
concentrations above threshold values are injurious to the
environment (Wu et al., 2009). Palm oil processing is
carried out using large quantities of water in mills where
oil is extracted from the palm fruits. During the extraction
process, about 50% of the water results in palm oil mill
effluent. It is estimated that for every 1 tonne of crude
Materials and methods
Study area
Adapalm Umuorgu mill is a subsidiary of Adapalm Nigeria
Ltd Ohaji, A palm oil mill industry owned by Imo State
Government, is located in Amuzu Aboh Mbaise L.G.A
situated in Imo State which lies within latitudes 4°45'N
and 7°15'N, and longitude 6°50'E and 7°25'E with an area
60
*Corresponding author: leonardmgbeahuruike@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2014 RJB
Res. J. Biol., 2014 [2:60-65]
E-ISSN: 2322-0066
of around 5,100 sq km. It is bordered by Abia State on the
East, by the River Niger and Delta State on the west, by
Anambra State to the north and Rivers State to the south.
Besides Owerri, Imo State's major towns are Isu, Okigwe,
Oguta, Orlu, Mbaise, Mbano, Mbieri, Orodo and Orsu.
Generally, the climate of Imo State is typically humid
(Ijeoma and Arunsi, 1990). The rainy season begins in April
and lasts until October with annual rainfall varying from
1,500mm to 2,200mm (60 to 80 inches). An average
annual temperature above 20 °C (68.0 °F) creates an
annual relative humidity of 75%, with humidity reaching
90% in the rainy season. The dry season experiences two
months of harmattan from late December to late
February. The hottest months are between January and
March.
The geology is underlain by the Benin formation of
coastal plain sands characterized with impermeable layers
of clay near the surface while in some areas, the soil
consists of lateritic materials under a superficial layer of
fine grained sand. Its location within the tropical rainforest
creates room for wide range of tropical agricultural crops
and trees like obeche, bamboo, iroko, palm tree etc.
Soil analysis
Soil pH was determined immediately after the soil was
sampled and also, air-dried soil pH was determined I water
at the soil to solution ratio of 1:1 with a Win Lab pH meter
and calibration was checked and/or verified by measuring
standard buffer solutions. Calibration was repeated if
reading was more than +/-5% of expected reading.
EC and TDS were determined according to APHA2540-C i.e. instrumental method using the Win Lab TDS
meter (Conductivity/TDS meter model MC 126). TDS is
reported in mg/l. While the total suspended solid (TSS)
was determined by filtering a well-mixed aliquot (100ml)
of the sample through a dried and pre-weighed Millipore
filter paper using vacuum filtration apparatus. The filter
o
paper was then dried at 105 C to constant weight. The
difference in weight of the filter paper represents the total
suspended solids. This was reported in mg/l after
calculation (APHA, 1992).
COD was determined using the open reflux method
(APHA 1992), where a sample is refluxed and digested in a
strongly acidic solution with a known amount of excess of
potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). After digestion, the
excess un-reacted potassium dichromate was read with a
spectrophotometer at 600-nm and results were reported
in mg/l. Results were also verified by titrating with a
standard solution of ferrous ammonium sulphate.
BOD, which depends on oxygen uptake by bacteria,
was determined using the dilution method according to
APHA 5210B (APHA 1992). The amount of oxygen
consumed during a fixed period (usually 5 days) is related
to the amount of organic natter present in the original
sample. Dissolved oxygen of the samples was first
determined using the Win Lab Dissolved Oxygen meter
o
and then incubated for five (5) days at 20 C. DO was again
measured after a period of five days and BOD in mg/l was
determined from the following calculation and reported
accordingly.
Figure 1. Location of the study area
BOD = [DOb – DOa] – [DOSb – DOSa]
Soil sampling
Reconnaissance field trip was established and routine
materials and methods to be used in the field study were
noted. Four sampling points where spatially established.
Four (4) composite samples, each made of two (2)
replicate core samples were collected from the impacted
site. Samples were taken from (0-15) and (15-30)cm in
depth at all locations of the whole plough layer at regular
intervals nine (9m) on a sampling grid (8 row & 8 column
2
grid of 1x1m cell) with a total area of 64m in the direction
of natural drainage. The same procedure was established
for the control point on a non-impacted background. Mill
effluent sample was also collected at collection pit with
the aid of a 500ml plastic bottles and BOD was also
collected with a BOD bottle of 250 ml.
Where D = dilution factor usually 0.5, DOb =DO of sample
before incubation, DOA =DO of sample after incubation,
DOSb =DO of sample blank before incubation and DOSa=
DO of sample blank after incubation.
Oil and Grease was determined according to APHA
5520B using a partition- Gravimetric Method. The sample
was extracted twice with 1.10 ratio of xylene to sample
using a separator funnel. The combined extract after
centrifuging was distilled to dryness and cool in
desiccators until a constant weight is obtained. The
concentration of Oil and Grease is calculated as thus:
Oil and Grease (mg/l) =Wr/Vs
Where: Wr =Total weight of residue Vs =
Initial
volume of sample.
Total C, N & S were analyzed by a CHNS analyzer.
Phosphate was determined by the stannous chloride
method (APHA, 1985). Phosphate in water reacts with
ammonium molybdenum blue complex in the presence of
stannous chloride. The intensity of colour was measured at
690nm using DR 2000 spectrophotometer.
Experimental
2kg of soil samples were placed in plastic bags and were
subsequently incubated for four (4) weeks. De-ionized
water was added into the soil to maintain reasonable
moisture content level. The plastic bags were tapered at
the end to prevent the loss of moisture during the
incubation period
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Copyright © 2014 RJB
Leonard et al., 2014
The concentrations in mg/l of calcium, potassium and
magnesium in the collected samples were determined
(after nitric acid digestion) by means of an Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer. Specific metal standards
in the linear range of the metal were used to calibrate the
equipment. The concentrated and digested samples were
then aspirated and the actual concentrations were
obtained by referring to the graph and necessary
calculations
The exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, Na) were
extracted with neutral normal ammonium acetate
buffered at pH 7.0 (Thomas, 1982). Exchangeable calcium
and magnesium were determined by ETDA complex metric
titration while exchangeable potassium and sodium were
determined by flame photometry (Jackson and Black
1965).
Influence of POME on impacted soil
PS2 = 3.173 + 1.124 CP
S
R-Sq
R-Sq(adj)
100
13.8685
84.2%
83.1%
80
PS2
60
40
20
0
0
10
20
30
40
CP
50
60
70
80
Figure 3. Showing regression graph of SP2 against CP
Influence of POME on impacted soil
PS3 = 2.557 + 1.140 CP
Data analysis
100
Regression analysis was performed using statistical
program in Minitab 16 version. Histogram graphs were
used for concentration of analyte in sample media
PS3
60
Fourteen variables(parameters): Organic Carbon(OC),
2
Total
nitrogen(N), Sulphate (SO4 ), Calcium(Ca),
Magnesium(Mg),
Potassium(K),
Sodium(Na),
Phosphorus(P), %Sand,% Silt,% Clay, Phosphate(P),
Moisture Content(MC) and Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC)
were analyzed for impacted soil.
In table 1 above, the mean, standard error mean (SE
Mean) and standard deviation of the parameters under
investigation varied significantly across the sample
locations of CP(13.95,5.91&22.90),SP1(27.8,15.1&58.6),
SP2(19.92,8.18&31.96),
SP3(19.27,7.86&30.46)
&
SP4(16.30,6.17&23.89) with highest deviation recorded at
SP1. In figures 2-5 of the regression plots, the influence of
POME on PS1, PS2, PS3 and PS4 as against CP varied in the
reducing
order
of;
SP1
(3.30+1.556CP),
SP2
(3.173+1.124CP), SP3 (2.557+1.140CP) and SP4
(2.133+1.007CP) respectively. 1.556, 1.124, 1.140 and
1.007 are significant changes observed across the sampling
locations.
0
0
PS1
80
S
R-Sq
R-Sq(adj)
4.73049
97.4%
97.2%
60
PS4
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
40.9787
54.0%
50.7%
10
20
30
40
CP
50
60
70
80
In the above table 2, the mill effluent contained high
amount of organic load in concentration obvious to impact
considerable ecological menace as a result of its high BOD
(10560mg/l), COD (53,630 mg/l), oil & grease (8370mg/l),
TSS (20977mgl) and TDS (142.5mg/l).
Table 2. Physicochemical characteristics of PS, CP & ME
Parameter
PSav
CP
ME
Nitrate-N
0.04
0.04
34.9
Sulfate
51.9
32.5
12.2
Calcium
5.42
0.85
10.9
Sodium
0.08
0.02
8.0
Potasium
0.05
0.03
13.6
Magnesium
1.06
0.27
8.0
pH
6.68
6.55
4.7
EC
118.16
49.8
246.3
PSav=average polluted site, ME=mill effluent
80
Figure 2. Showing regression graph of PS1 against CP.
In figures 6-8 of the histogram plots, the average
concentration of parameters showed significant variations
in mean and standard deviations of CP (11.26 & 19.15), PS
(22.92 & 42.50) and ME (42.33 & 82.94) in their order of
increasing frequency.
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Copyright © 2014 RJB
70
70
0
70
60
80
50
60
50
PS4 = 2.133 + 1.007 CP
100
50
40
CP
90
150
40
CP
30
Influence of POME on impacted soil
200
30
20
Figure 5. Showing regression of SP4 against CP
S
R-Sq
R-Sq(adj)
20
10
Figure 4. Showing regression of SP3 against CP
PS1 = 3.30 + 1.556 CP
10
40
20
Influence of POME on impacted soil
0
11.2543
89.3%
88.5%
80
Results
250
S
R-Sq
R-Sq(adj)
Res. J. Biol., 2014 [2:60-65]
E-ISSN: 2322-0066
sampling locations. The presence of these mineral
elements in the soil could improve the fertility and
condition its structure. According to Odu and Mba (1991),
inorganic fertilizer supply nutrients alone whilst organic
fertilizer not only supply nutrient element through
microbial assistance but also help in the improvement of
physical properties of the soil location when compared
with CP. This is also in line with Oviasogie and Aglumina
(2003) confirmed that a proper use and safe disposal of
POME in the land environment would lead to improved
soil fertility and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Appreciable increase in the average concentration of Ca,
Mg and P were also recorded when compared to CP across
the sampling locations. This is substantiated by (Araugo,
2002).
The average concentration of nitrogen was observed
to be relatively low (0.03-0.05) %. This low concentration is
attributed to loss of N to volatilization of ammonia as a
result of strong increase in pH (Siegrist et al., 2002; Onyia
et al., 2001). But for better utilization to the soil, Onyia,
etal. (2001) suggested that nitrification of POME was
necessary since nitrified POME would be more easily
absorbed by plant in the soil.
The mill effluent in table 4 was also observed to
contain significant amount of organic load which when
properly managed and enhanced could increase the
organic matter in the soil which may turn into humus after
decomposition and become active component. Although
raw POME could actually cause clogging and water logging
of the soil. But this anomaly could be overcome by
controlled application of small quantities of POME at a
time. The mean variation of SP (22.92), ME (42.33) and CS
(11.26) are graphically depicted in figure 6-8 respectively.
Histogram of PS
Normal
Mean
StDev
N
6
22.92
42.30
8
Frequency
5
4
3
2
1
0
-40
0
40
80
120
PS
Figure 6. Showing graph of average concentration of parameters
across PSav.
Histogram of ME
Normal
Mean
StDev
N
6
42.33
82.94
8
Frequency
5
4
3
2
1
0
-100
0
100
200
ME
Figure 7. Showing graph of average concentration of parameters
in the mill effluent (ME)
Histogram of CS
Normal
Mean
StDev
N
5
11.26
19.15
8
Table 4. Shows characteristics of Organic load in POME.
Characteristics (mg/l) Characteristics (mg/l)
value
value
Frequency
4
3
2
Oil & Grease
9160
1
BOD
10560
COD
DO
TSS
13775
7.56
20977
0
-20
0
20
40
CS
Figure 8. Showing graph of concentration of parameters across
the CP
Conclusion
Discussion
The results of this research have shown that POME is a
bioresource with diverse applications especially in the area
of agroecology. With the vast mineral requirement and
organic matter contained in POME, it is expected that the
rural dwellers optimize the advantages accrued from this
valuable resource to improve amongst other uses, dietary
substitute for pigs and poultry, improve and reclaim soil
fertility within and around the rural areas for increased
productivity. Also potential prospect exist for apparent
establishment of short term crops such as grass, grain or
vegetable in rotation with intermittent periods of effluent
application.
The results obtained from the analysis conducted show
that the soil of Umuorgu mill is influenced with organic
substance and mineral nutrients. Regression graphs of
figure 2-5 depict the degree of significant variations
associated with SP1, SP2, and SP3 & SP4 as against
background concentrations of CP. The change was more
influenced at SP1 (1.556) and least influenced at SP4
(1.007). The high concentration of mineral elements at SP1
could be attributed to high cation exchange capacity (CEC)
-1
of the soil (219.6) cMolkg . The CEC of a soil is a measure
of the quantity of cation available to a soil. The CEC
increase could be as a result of the negative surface charge
of SO4 at pH around 5.85. The same was observed in SP2,
SP3 and SP4 in their reducing order of CECs (101.7),
-1
(94.25) & (57.1) cMolkg respectively.
The regression equation in the graphs above
indicated the influence of POME on soil across the
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Leonard et al., 2014
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64
Copyright © 2014 RJB
Res. J. Biol., 2014 [2:60-65]
E-ISSN: 2322-0066
Table 1. Physicochemical parameters of soil across sampling points
%
Paramet
er
CP
PS1
PS2
PS3
PS4
µg/l
%
OC
OM
N
SO4
Ca
Mg
K
Na
P
1.5
6
2.2
0
2.6
5
2.3
8
2.0
8
2.6
8
3.7
8
4.5
8
4.1
1
3.6
8
0.0
4
0.0
5
0.0
5
0.0
4
0.0
3
32.5
0.85
1.75
0.0
3
0.0
4
0.0
5
0.0
6
0.6
0
0.0
2
0.0
3
0.0
4
0.0
4
0.0
4
8.39
62.5
0
56.5
0
50.0
0
38.5
0
0.2
7
0.6
0
2.6
3
0.5
0
0.5
0
2.28
6.75
10.9
0
11.1
7
13.7
5
15.1
5
15.3
San
d
79.5
2
84.5
2
76.5
2
81.0
2
80.5
2
cmol/kg
Silt
Clay
MC
pH
CEC
6.56
13.9
2
5.92
6.52
6.5
5
5.8
5
6.9
9
6.7
2
7.1
5
49.8
9.56
9.06
9.74
14.5
6
14.4
2
9.24
4.92
10.0
4
7.59
9.56
9.58
219.
6
101.
7
94.2
5
57.1
CP=control point, PS1-PS4=polluted site 1-4
Table 3. Descriptive Statistics: CP, PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4
Variable
N N*
Mean SE Mean StDev
CP
15
0 13.95
5.91 22.90
PS1
15
0
27.8
15.1
58.6
PS2
15
0 19.92
8.18 31.69
PS3
15
0 19.27
7.86 30.46
PS4
15
0 16.30
6.17 23.89
Minimum
0.02
0.0
0.04
0.04
0.03
N= number of parameters, N*= number of missing values, SE= standard error
65
Copyright © 2014 RJB
Q1
0.27
0.6
2.28
0.06
0.06
Median
6.52
5.8
6.99
6.75
7.15
Q3
13.92
11.2
14.42
15.15
15.30
Maximum
79.52
219.6
101.70
94.25
80.52
Textur
e
Loamy
sandy
Sandy
loamy
Loamy
sandy
Sand
loamy
Sand
loamy