Potentials of an African grass species in healing industrial and domestic sickwater.

Outline
Team
  • Expected start date:
    November 1, 2013
    Expected end date:
    January 31, 2016
    Institute:
    UNU-INRA
    Project Status:
    Closed
    Project Type:
    Research
    Project Manager :
    Effiom Oku

    The conversion of fresh water into industrial effluent and domestic sickwater in cities is increasing with increasing urbanization, industrialization, poor urban solid waste management, among others. The effluents and wastewater are discharged untreated into water bodies. This has impacted negatively on human health and the environment (land, water and air). Developing countries as Nigeria and other countries of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), lack both the financial and technological capability to use conventional technologies in sickwater treatment before discharge into water bodies. Even in developed states, more or less of the conventional technologies are not “green” compliance and are being discredited with emphasis at present on Green Growth. A green technology that uses species of Chrysopogon plants are known to be effective in the healing of sickwater. Comparative study of zizanioides (an Indian species) and nemoralis (a Vietnam species) shows differences in their potentials. The use of nigritana (an African species) is not well known, perhaps, the use is restricted to Africa and studies are still at infancy. This project is a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the African species in the treatment of sickwater from industrial and domestic sources. The heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), pathogen loads, etc. will be determined before and after the treatment. The results of the treated wastewater will be compared with international standards (indicator tolerance level). On-site training on wastewater treatment before reuse for irrigation using this green technology will be given to urban and peri-urban vegetable farmers in Abakaliki, Nigeria. A postgraduate thesis, policy brief, technical monograph, posters and capacity development pamphlets are some of the anticipated end product of this project. Some of the expected outcome will be an inexpensive, effective green solution to sickwater treatment in Nigeria and Africa. Safe vegetables and food will be produced by the farmers using healthy water (treated wastewater).

    • Effiom Oku
      Project Manager