Abstract
Biodegradation of mechanic workshop polluted soil amended with 2.4kg lime (Confluence fertilizer) was studied for a period of eight weeks (56 days). This was done by physicochemical analysis of the soil samples and microbiological analysis by spread plate inoculation on Nutrient agar (NA). The results revealed higher bacteria population in amended soil (AS) compared to oil free soil (OFS) and polluted soil (PS). The range of bacterial counts was Oil free soil (1.6×104 – 6.8 ×104 cfu/g), polluted soil (2.2×104 – 9.8×104 cfu/g) and Amended soil (1.62×104 – 1.12×105 cfu/g). The fungi counts range were Oil free soil (2.5×103 – 3.0×104 cfu/g), polluted soil (2.2×103 – 4.0×104 cfu/g) and Amended soil (2.1×103 – 2.7×103/sup> cfu/g). Eleven (11) organisms were isolated in the course of this study. The bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus while the fungi isolated include Mucor mucedo, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus nigricans. The moisture content (MC), organic carbon, organic matter, pH and nitrate were higher in amended soil compared to unpolluted soil and polluted soil. The result of the study shows that lime (confluence fertilizer) can be used to enhanced biodegradation of oil polluted soil.
Highlights
Ismail [1] defined biodegradation as biological activities resulting in the breakdown of a compound or organic contaminant
Biodegradation of complex molecules usually involves the interactive effect of mixed populations of micro–organisms and relies on the metabolic versatility of bacteria and fungi and the rate of degradation depends on the composition of the molecules [5]
Higher bacteria counts was observed in amended soil than oil free soil (OFS) and polluted soil (PS)
Summary
Ismail [1] defined biodegradation as biological activities resulting in the breakdown of a compound or organic contaminant. The use of these biological activities is low-cost and a sustainable remediation method for contaminated soil [2]. Anene and Chika [4] reported that the rate and efficiency of biodegradation depend on the occurrence of adequately numerous and active microflora in the contaminated or polluted environment. Petroleum hydrocarbon compounds bind to soil components and they are difficult to be removed or degraded [7]. Hydrocarbons differ in their susceptibility to microbial attack
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