Microbiological And Physico-chemical Assessment Of Soil Contaminated With Abattoir Effluents In Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.

Authors

  • Rabah A.B. Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
  • Oyeleke S. B. Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Minna.
  • Manga S. B. Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
  • Hassan L. G. Department of Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
  • Ijah U. J. J. 2Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Abstract

The microbial population in soil contaminated with abattoir effluent was investigated using the spread plate method. The results revealed a high mean count of 3.70±0.01×106 cfu/g and 1.40±0.04×104 cfu/g for bacteria and fungi respectively. The counts were higher than that of the control soil sample with 2.40±0.02×104 cfu/g and 1.10±0.02×103 cfu/g for the bacteria and fungi respectively. Among the bacteria isolated, Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of occurrence of 21.0 %, followed by Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with 17.0 % each and Bacillus anthracis with 13.0 %. The lowest frequency of occurrence of 4 % was observed in Bacillus polymyxa and Staphylococcus epidermidis respectively. In terms of fungal isolates, Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency of occurrence of 27 %, followed by Fusarium sporotrichioides (22 %) while Absidia sp and Mucor pusillus with 6 % each. Results of the physico-chemical analysis showed that the contaminated soil samples had mean pH of 7.36, mean temperature of 33 oC, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of 18.53 % and nitrogen concentration of 0.23 mg/g.

Author Biography

Rabah A.B., Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Head and Senior Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences

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Published

2010-10-20

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2010)

Section

ARTICLES