International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research ISSN 2351-8014 Vol. 9 No. 2 Sep. 2014, pp. 293-296 © 2014 Innovative Space of Scientific Research Journals http://www.ijisr.issr-journals.org/ Corresponding Author: Adeyinka Margaret Adesoye 293 Evaluation of physical properties and heavy metal composition of manure of some domestic animals Adeyinka Margaret Adesoye 1 , Folahan Amoo Adekola 2 , Kolawole Olasunkanmi Olukomaiya 3 , Oladapo Oluwaseye Olukomaiya 4 , and Princewill Obinna Iwuchukwu 5 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, P.O. Box 269, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria 2 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria 3 Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering, Lagos State University, P.M.B. 1012, Epe, Lagos, Nigeria 4 Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria 5 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria Copyright © 2014 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT: Heavy metal content in animal manure could influence soil quality, contaminate crops and cause health risks to both livestock and humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical properties and heavy metal composition of manure of some domestic animals. Manure samples were collected from six domestic animals (goat, cow, donkey, pig, turkey and layer chickens). Standardized protocols were followed for sample preparation and analysis of heavy metal content. The physical properties (physical appearance, moisture content and organic matter) of the samples were observed and recorded. The metals measured were Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni). Concentrations of heavy metals were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The results showed that donkey manure had the lowest Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Mg contents. Pig manure had the highest Fe content as well as the lowest Mn, Cd and Ca contents. It is recommended that manure of farm animals be cautiously examined for heavy metal content before its application to the soils of agricultural farms or fields. KEYWORDS: Physical properties, Heavy metals, Animal manure, Bioaccumulation, Health hazards. 1 INTRODUCTION Animal wastes include livestock manure, beddings, litter materials, dairy parlour waste water, feedlot run-off, silage juices from trench silos and wasted feed [1]. Animal manures are economic sources of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) as well as other nutrients needed for plant growth. They can reduce the need for commercial fertilizer. Their use for crop production is a common practice in many cropping systems. They are well adopted by farmers for crops such as vegetables, potatoes and to a lesser extent, for rice and local tuber crops. Animal manures can add organic matter to the soil, improve water holding capacity, improve soil tilth, increase crop yield and improve soil fertility [2]. Heavy metals such as Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) could be considered as useful trace elements for crop growth while Cadmium