TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECTS OF HAIRDRESSING SALON EFFLUENTS ON SOIL BACTERIA AND THE THRIVING GROWTH OF PUMPKIN PLANTS
Abstract
This research investigates the environmental and agronomic impacts of hairdressing salon effluents (HSEs) on soil health, the growth of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.), and crop productivity in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. Utilizing a randomized complete block design, various effluent concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% were applied to evaluate alterations in soil properties, seed germination, plant growth, and yield. Laboratory analyses indicated that salon effluents contain essential nutrients such as ammonium, phosphates, and sulfates, as well as detrimental substances including parabens, synthetic dyes, and heavy metals.
The results demonstrate that the application of 25% and 50% effluents significantly improved soil fertility and microbial activity, leading to enhanced chlorophyll content, increased plant height, and greater fruit yield compared to the control group. In contrast, higher concentrations (75% and 100%) resulted in soil acidification, a decrease in microbial diversity, and severe phytotoxicity, which ultimately caused reduced growth and total crop failure. The chemical composition of the effluents, including pH levels (4.3–4.4) and increased chloride concentrations, contributed to salinity stress and disrupted nutrient absorption at elevated doses.
Soil samples with 0% effluent concentration showed a consistent increase in bacterial counts over four weeks, starting at 18.90, indicating a favorable environment for bacterial growth. In contrast, soils treated with effluent concentrations from 25% to 100% experienced significant declines in bacterial counts. The 25% concentration decreased from 12.10, showing the inhibitory effects of salon-derived effluents. Higher effluent concentrations correlated with greater reductions in bacterial populations, with the 100% concentration demonstrating the most significant decrease from 12.07. These findings suggest that hairdressing salon effluents have dose-dependent antibacterial effects on soil microbio
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