Microbial Population Dynamics and Composition in Crude Oil Contaminated Soils Treated with Microorganisms and Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum)

A.o Benwari ,O J Kamalu

doi:10.7176/jbah/9-16-01

Abstract

Crude oil pollution can cause alterations in the soil physico- chemical properties and microbial activities, with deleterious effects on soil productivity indices. Studies were conducted on a sandy loam soil contaminated with levels of crude oil, bioremediated with bacteria, fungi and guinea grass. The experiment was a 3 x 4 factorial in completely randomized design (CRD) in the screen house in the University of Port Harcourt. Results showed that all the treatments had significant (p<0.05) effects on microbial population, diversity and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). Bacteria significantly (p<0.05) reduced TPH within 6 to 8 days. Bacillus Streptococcus , Staphylococcus , Aermonnas and Pseaudomanas spp. were the dominant bacteria found in the soil whereas, Aspergillus , Fusarium, Rhizopus, Blastomycetes and Saccharomyteces species were the dominant fungi isolates. Guinea grass was not effective in bioremediation when the crude oil was above 5% w/w level of contamination. Keywords: Crude oil, bioremediation, bacteria, fungi, soil fertility, petroleum hydrocarbon. DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-16-01 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Highlights

Soil contamination with petroleum and petroleum based products is a major concern to humans and the ecosystem indicators including farmlands, crop plants and forest trees species (Ogari, 2001; Agbogidi, 2003)
Six kilogram (6 kg) of the soils was filled in experimental pots and further treated with Fungi, Bacteria and guinea grass
Total petroleum hydrocarbon was near threshold value of Odu et al (1995) for sandy loam soils of the Niger Delta

Summary

Introduction

Soil contamination with petroleum and petroleum based products is a major concern to humans and the ecosystem indicators including farmlands, crop plants and forest trees species (Ogari, 2001; Agbogidi, 2003). The problems of crude oil pollution occur as a result of accidental discharge, seepage, loading and offloading and improper disposal (Njoku et al, 2009). Diverse microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses, and protozoa form biological phase (Tanee and Albert, 2011) and they play vital roles as ecosystem indicators, including nutrient cycling (Zucchi et al, 2003). They are responsible for decomposition of organic matter (Wolicka et al, 2009), which invariably promote plant health and growth as bio fertilization (Liu et al, 2008), and aid in bio remediation processes

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Results

Conclusion