TITLE:
Physicochemical and Environmental Aspects of Effluents from Fish Processing Plants in the Autonomous Port of Dakar (Senegal)
AUTHORS:
Issakha Fofana, Elhadji Mamadou Sonko, Mamadou Lamine Diame
KEYWORDS:
Autonomous Port of Dakar, Fish Processing Plants, Industrial Effluents, Marine Pollution, Physicochemical Characterization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
10,
2026
ABSTRACT: Fish processing plants, which are major water consumers, generate large volumes of effluents consisting of blood, detritus, and other waste, causing pollution at discharge points. This study, conducted at the Autonomous Port of Dakar (Senegal), aims to characterize the effluents from fish processing plants in order to assess their regulatory compliance and their potential impacts on the marine environment. The methodological approach adopted is based on semi-structured interviews with key informants, as well as sample collection and the analysis of physicochemical parameters. Specific water consumption ranges from 0.18 to 4.8 m3 per ton of treated products, while annual water consumption ranges from 1,144 m3 to 157,740 m3. The levels of COD, BOD5, and suspended solids vary from 2,600 to 50,200 mg/L, 1,100 to 4,000 mg/L, and 50 to 5200 mg/L for TSS confirmed. These effluents are mostly difficult or impossible to biodegrade due to their COD/BOD5 ratios exceeding 5. The annual pollutant loads generated by these different facilities vary from 8.1 and 2,690 tons, depending on the fish processing plant’s specialization. These results highlight the need for pretreatment of the studied effluents and pave the way for further research into sustainable management strategies.