Physico-chemical characterization of soils and waters of livestock watering sites in Benin

Abstract

Breeding is still extensive in sub Africa and mainly based on natural resources for feeding and animals watering. The inadequacy of these resources has led to the creation of countless watering points (dams, reservoirs, over digging and wells) in several locations. Unfortunately, various natural and anthropogenic factors endanger both soil and water quality at these sites. The results of this work aimed at determining the physico-chemical characteristics of natural and managed watering infrastructures and surrounding soils indicate eutrophication of the waters on the sites and a filling of those by strong organic pollution of some of them. Indeed the averages of recorded values are respectively (pH = 6.418 ± 0.576); median = 5.67); ([NTK] medium = 5.813 ± 7.563 mg/L; median = 3.75 mg/L) and ([PO43-] = 4.256 ± 2.369 mg/L; median = 3.225 mg/L) in the respective forms of nitrites and phosphates;([COD] = 94.105 ± 103.052) mg O2/L; median = 54.16 mg O2/L and [BOD5] = 26.443 ± 15.179 mg O2/L; median = 23 mg O2/L).