An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production

Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael; Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

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An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production

Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael^*

, Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 27 November 2025 Accepted: 11 December 2025 Published: 29 December 2025

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Abstract

The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations of effluent water discharge during production of plastic – sand bricks were examined. The samples were collected in sterile containers from the recycled wastewater collector system and was bench marked with a controlled water sample collected from the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University campus. The containers were first rinsed with the sample water before the final collection. The samples collected were taken in an iced - packed cooler to the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where the analysis was performed. The physicochemical parameters analysis results show that temperature (28.90°C), Turbidity (114 NTU), Conductivity level (48.4 µS/cm), Salinity (0.05 mg/l), Total Dissolved Solids, TDS, (81mg/l), Total Hardness level (15.3 mg/l) and alkalinity level (2 mg/l) are within the regulatory authority allowed limits although pH level of 5.04 for the plastic brick effluent was too acidic. Metallic ions such as Chloride (4.5 mg/l), Sulphate (3.21 mg/l), Nitrate (1.35 mg/l), Phosphate (0.08 mg/l), Manganese (<0.038 mg/l,) calcium (5.172 mg/l), Magnesium (0.578 mg/l) and iron (<0.005 mg/l) were also examined and were found to be within the regulatory limits. This study supports the production of plastic – sand bricks as an environmental management tool since the effluent parameters except pH fall within the regulatory limits and the plastic wastes recycled to bricks in sound environmental method. It is recommended that before any discharge of the effluent to the environment, all discharges should be monitored and analysed to avoid discharging toxic effluent to the environment since waste sludges used as additives may contain elevated levels of certain pollutants.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
Page(s)	174-181
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Effluent Quality, Environmental Monitoring, Heavy Metals, Plastic–sand Bricks, Waste Recycling

References

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[2]	Rani, S. (2016). Hazards of plastic and its substitute bioplastic – the future. International Journal of Medicinal Science and Clinical Inventions, 3(3), 1642–1645.
[3]	FMEnv (Federal Ministry of Environmental) (1991). Guidelines to Standards for Environmental Pollution Control in Nigeria, FG Press Lagos Nigeria. 238.
[4]	Ritchie, H. and Roser, M. (2018). Plastic Pollution. Published online at OurworldinData.org (Accessed on 17.11.2022).
[5]	Geyer, R. (2020). Production, Use and fate of Synthetic Polymers. Plastic Waste and Recycling: Environmental Impact, Societal Issues, Prevention and Solution. Science Direct. Pp 13 -32.
[6]	Gobo, A. E. (2002). Solid waste management options for the Niger Delta. Proceedings of the 3^rd National Workshop on Waste Management and Pollution in the 21st Century, Rivers State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Port Harcourt.
[7]	Shaw, D. K. Sahni, P. (2014). Plastic to Oil. Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering. 2(2) pp 46 – 48. ICAET –International Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology, India. www.iosrjournals.org
[8]	Mondal M. K., Bose B. P., Bansal P., Mishra R. (2017). Recycling waste thermoplastic for making lightweight bricks. School of Engineering Enterpreneurship, IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
[9]	Shiri, N. D., Kajava P. V., Ranjan H. V., Pais N. L. and Naik V. M. (2015). Processing of waste plastics into building materials using a plastic extruder and compression testing of plastic bricks. Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, 5(3B), 39–42. https://doi.org/10.5923/c.jmea.201502.08
[10]	Ubak, E. M. (2023). Production and Evaluation of Plastics- Sand Bricks as Waste Management tool in Port Harcourt Metropolis. (PhD Thesis). Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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[12]	National Population Commission, 2023, Federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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[14]	EGASPIN, 2018. (Environmental Guidelines and Standards for Petroleum Industry in Nigeria, 2018).
[15]	Ngah, S. A., Igonikon, A. C., EZE, C. L. (2021). Evaluation of Physico – chemical Properties and Heavy Metals in Produced Water Effluent and Receiving Ugborodo River atEscravos, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Research. Vol1 (2) pp 26-40.
[16]	Tchounwou, P. B., Yedjou, C. G., Patlolla, A. K., Sutton, D. J. (2012). Heavy Metal Toxicity and the Environment. In: Luch, A. (eds) Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology. Experientia Supplementum, vol 101. Springer, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_6
[17]	Obuh, I., Aluyor, E. & Audu, T. (2009). Post Treatment of Produced Water before Discharge using Lorffa Cylindrical Learndo. Electronic Journal of Practices and technology, 14, 57–64.
[18]	Okoro, C. C. (2010). Microbiological impacts of produced water discharges in NearShore Shallow Marine waters near Chevron’s Escravos Tank Farm, Nigeria. American Journal of Science, 6 (3). 93–101.

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APA Style

Michael, B. E., Kio, I. T. J. (2025). An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 13(6), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

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ACS Style

Michael, B. E.; Kio, I. T. J. An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2025, 13(6), 174-181. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

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AMA Style

Michael BE, Kio ITJ. An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2025;13(6):174-181. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14,
  author = {Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael and Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio},
  title = {An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {174-181},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20251306.14},
  abstract = {The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations of effluent water discharge during production of plastic – sand bricks were examined. The samples were collected in sterile containers from the recycled wastewater collector system and was bench marked with a controlled water sample collected from the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University campus. The containers were first rinsed with the sample water before the final collection. The samples collected were taken in an iced - packed cooler to the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where the analysis was performed. The physicochemical parameters analysis results show that temperature (28.90°C), Turbidity (114 NTU), Conductivity level (48.4 µS/cm), Salinity (0.05 mg/l), Total Dissolved Solids, TDS, (81mg/l), Total Hardness level (15.3 mg/l) and alkalinity level (2 mg/l) are within the regulatory authority allowed limits although pH level of 5.04 for the plastic brick effluent was too acidic. Metallic ions such as Chloride (4.5 mg/l), Sulphate (3.21 mg/l), Nitrate (1.35 mg/l), Phosphate (0.08 mg/l), Manganese (<0.038 mg/l,) calcium (5.172 mg/l), Magnesium (0.578 mg/l) and iron (<0.005 mg/l) were also examined and were found to be within the regulatory limits. This study supports the production of plastic – sand bricks as an environmental management tool since the effluent parameters except pH fall within the regulatory limits and the plastic wastes recycled to bricks in sound environmental method. It is recommended that before any discharge of the effluent to the environment, all discharges should be monitored and analysed to avoid discharging toxic effluent to the environment since waste sludges used as additives may contain elevated levels of certain pollutants.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production
AU  - Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael
AU  - Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 174
EP  - 181
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
AB  - The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations of effluent water discharge during production of plastic – sand bricks were examined. The samples were collected in sterile containers from the recycled wastewater collector system and was bench marked with a controlled water sample collected from the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University campus. The containers were first rinsed with the sample water before the final collection. The samples collected were taken in an iced - packed cooler to the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where the analysis was performed. The physicochemical parameters analysis results show that temperature (28.90°C), Turbidity (114 NTU), Conductivity level (48.4 µS/cm), Salinity (0.05 mg/l), Total Dissolved Solids, TDS, (81mg/l), Total Hardness level (15.3 mg/l) and alkalinity level (2 mg/l) are within the regulatory authority allowed limits although pH level of 5.04 for the plastic brick effluent was too acidic. Metallic ions such as Chloride (4.5 mg/l), Sulphate (3.21 mg/l), Nitrate (1.35 mg/l), Phosphate (0.08 mg/l), Manganese (<0.038 mg/l,) calcium (5.172 mg/l), Magnesium (0.578 mg/l) and iron (<0.005 mg/l) were also examined and were found to be within the regulatory limits. This study supports the production of plastic – sand bricks as an environmental management tool since the effluent parameters except pH fall within the regulatory limits and the plastic wastes recycled to bricks in sound environmental method. It is recommended that before any discharge of the effluent to the environment, all discharges should be monitored and analysed to avoid discharging toxic effluent to the environment since waste sludges used as additives may contain elevated levels of certain pollutants.
VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael

Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2924-5893
Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio

Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8137-1775

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APA Style

Michael, B. E., Kio, I. T. J. (2025). An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 13(6), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

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ACS Style

Michael, B. E.; Kio, I. T. J. An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2025, 13(6), 174-181. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

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AMA Style

Michael BE, Kio ITJ. An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2025;13(6):174-181. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14,
  author = {Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael and Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio},
  title = {An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {174-181},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20251306.14},
  abstract = {The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations of effluent water discharge during production of plastic – sand bricks were examined. The samples were collected in sterile containers from the recycled wastewater collector system and was bench marked with a controlled water sample collected from the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University campus. The containers were first rinsed with the sample water before the final collection. The samples collected were taken in an iced - packed cooler to the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where the analysis was performed. The physicochemical parameters analysis results show that temperature (28.90°C), Turbidity (114 NTU), Conductivity level (48.4 µS/cm), Salinity (0.05 mg/l), Total Dissolved Solids, TDS, (81mg/l), Total Hardness level (15.3 mg/l) and alkalinity level (2 mg/l) are within the regulatory authority allowed limits although pH level of 5.04 for the plastic brick effluent was too acidic. Metallic ions such as Chloride (4.5 mg/l), Sulphate (3.21 mg/l), Nitrate (1.35 mg/l), Phosphate (0.08 mg/l), Manganese (<0.038 mg/l,) calcium (5.172 mg/l), Magnesium (0.578 mg/l) and iron (<0.005 mg/l) were also examined and were found to be within the regulatory limits. This study supports the production of plastic – sand bricks as an environmental management tool since the effluent parameters except pH fall within the regulatory limits and the plastic wastes recycled to bricks in sound environmental method. It is recommended that before any discharge of the effluent to the environment, all discharges should be monitored and analysed to avoid discharging toxic effluent to the environment since waste sludges used as additives may contain elevated levels of certain pollutants.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Effluent Water Discharge in Plastic – Sand Brick Production
AU  - Brown-Ubak Etimbuk Michael
AU  - Ideriah Tubonimi Joseph Kio
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 174
EP  - 181
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251306.14
AB  - The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations of effluent water discharge during production of plastic – sand bricks were examined. The samples were collected in sterile containers from the recycled wastewater collector system and was bench marked with a controlled water sample collected from the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University campus. The containers were first rinsed with the sample water before the final collection. The samples collected were taken in an iced - packed cooler to the Institute of Pollution Studies laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where the analysis was performed. The physicochemical parameters analysis results show that temperature (28.90°C), Turbidity (114 NTU), Conductivity level (48.4 µS/cm), Salinity (0.05 mg/l), Total Dissolved Solids, TDS, (81mg/l), Total Hardness level (15.3 mg/l) and alkalinity level (2 mg/l) are within the regulatory authority allowed limits although pH level of 5.04 for the plastic brick effluent was too acidic. Metallic ions such as Chloride (4.5 mg/l), Sulphate (3.21 mg/l), Nitrate (1.35 mg/l), Phosphate (0.08 mg/l), Manganese (<0.038 mg/l,) calcium (5.172 mg/l), Magnesium (0.578 mg/l) and iron (<0.005 mg/l) were also examined and were found to be within the regulatory limits. This study supports the production of plastic – sand bricks as an environmental management tool since the effluent parameters except pH fall within the regulatory limits and the plastic wastes recycled to bricks in sound environmental method. It is recommended that before any discharge of the effluent to the environment, all discharges should be monitored and analysed to avoid discharging toxic effluent to the environment since waste sludges used as additives may contain elevated levels of certain pollutants.
VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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