Soil Samples Research Articles

Soil Localized Leaching and Reclamation with Gypsum and Sulfuric Acid: A Case Study of Pistachio Orchard, Kerman-Iran

ABSTRACT Localized leaching method is a new reclamation leaching technique. Localized leaching method by using drip tapes allows water to be applied directly to the areas of salt accumulation. This study applied localized leaching method on a sandy loam soil in a pistachio orchard in Kerman, Iran to evaluate the impact of three treatments: adding gypsum soil remediation (G), soil remediation with sulfuric acid (SA) andirrigation water (IW) on soil remediation. Three treatments (IW, G and SA) in four repetitions were used to remove soluble salts from the Main Active Root Zone (MARZ) in a pistachio orchard which irrigated by a subsurface irrigation system. The localized leaching method consist of two T-tape pipelines at a distance of 40 cm located on both sides of the tree rows. Soil sampling was carried out before and after leaching from soil unit profiles with 80 cm (Length) × 120 cm (Depth) with 20 cm intervals. Concentrations of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) cations, and electrical conductivity (EC) were examined before and after leaching process. Results revealed that application of G-treatment compared to IW-treatment and SA-treatment led to more leaching of Na and Mg from the soil by 61% and 50%, respectively. The amount of leached Ca in both G-treatment and SA-treatments was less than that of IW-treatment. The leaching efficiency of total soluble salts for G, IW and SA treatments were 58%, 56% and 45%, respectively. Gypsum application could be recommended as a soil amendment. In addition, the localized leaching technique offers water-saving potential opposed to traditional leaching methods which applying water to the entire field.

High-resolution monitoring of soil infiltration using distributed fiber optic

Monitoring the infiltration process in soil is of great importance in various fields. However, the majority of existing infiltration monitoring methods have certain limitations that hinder their ability to meet the technical requirements for continuous spatial monitoring of the infiltration process. To address this issue, this study proposes a new method for achieving spatially continuous monitoring of the infiltration process. This method employs the improved Active Heating Fiber Optics (AHFO) technique as the underlying mechanism and utilizes Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) monitoring technology characterized by exceptionally high spatial resolution and monitoring sensitivity. The proposed method, referred to as Active Heating Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (AH-OFDR). The feasibility of AH-OFDR was validated through a set of experimental tests, involving the installation of optical fibers within cylindrical soil samples for infiltration monitoring. A comparison was conducted between the infiltration patterns obtained through AH-OFDR and those acquired using the well-established Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) method. Additionally, the temperature distribution within the sample during the infiltration process was monitored by employing infrared thermography technology. The experimental results demonstrated an excellent agreement between the infiltration patterns obtained through AH-OFDR and DTS, reaffirming the viability and accuracy of AH-OFDR for soil infiltration monitoring. However, when compared to DTS, AH-OFDR excels in achieving dynamic monitoring of water content variations at a spatial resolution as fine as the centimeter level, empowering high-resolution and continuous monitoring. The changes in the soil temperature field recorded by the infrared thermography system further confirm the accuracy of the AH-OFDR monitoring results.

Assessment of naturally occurring radionuclides in surface soil and drinking water from western part of Yadgir district Karnataka, India.

Radionuclide activity of the selected radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K was measured in surface soil samples collected from 40 villages of the western part of Yadgir district of Karnataka. A 4″×4″ NaI (Tl) detector based on a gamma spectrometer is used for the estimation of radionuclides. The major type of soil in this region is sandy and red. The 222Rn activity concentrations in drinking water were determined by the Emanometry method. The 222Rn activity in ground water is found to vary from 1.73 to 155.6Bql-1. The total annual effective doses because of 222Rn inhalation and ingestion range from 4.72 to 424.84μSv y-1 with an average value of 108.8μSv y-1, respectively. Among the sampling stations, Shahapur and Shorapur soil samples show higher activity values than the Kembhavi and Hunasagi sampling stations soil samples.

Assessment of natural radioactivity concentration in the soil samples from the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, India.

The natural radioactivity concentration was studied for 40 soil samples of the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, India, by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in Churchandpur was found as 39.9 (range: 30-56), 72.1 (range: 57-93) and 564.1 (range:360-867) Bqkg-1 respectively, whereas, in Ukhrul, average radioactivity for the same was found as 30.3 (range: 16-54), 54.2 (range:24-89) and 637.1(range:103-901) Bqkg-1, respectively. The calculated radioactivity parameters were compared with the world average values. The measured radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate ($\dot{\mathrm D}$), annual effective outdoor dose(Ė) and the external hazard index (Hex) were observed as 165 (range: 63.7-234.8) Bqkg-1, 77.6 (36.9-108.0) nGyh-1, 0.11 (0.05-0.13) mSvy-1 and 0.5 (0.1-0.6), respectively. This study aims to provide baseline data for radionuclide present in the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur.

Measurements of radon exhalations and radiological doses using LR-115 (II) nuclear track detectors in Tiru region of the Naga Schuppen Belt, India.

In this present study, the nuclear track detector LR-115 (II) was employed to assess radon (222Rn) exhalation rate, effective radium (226Ra) content, and the annual effective dose from coal and soil samples collected in and around the coal mining area of Tiru region of Nagaland, India. The 222Rn mass and surface exhalation rates and 226Ra contents were found to be in the ranges of 7.3-17.3 mBq kg-1 h-1, 242.9-573.6 mBq m-2h-1 and 1.0-2.3Bqkg-1, respectively, for coal and 15.8-22.0 mBq kg-1 h-1, 523.8-730.4 mBq m-2h-1 and 2.1-2.9Bqkg-1, respectively, for soil. The 222Rn exhalation rates and 226Ra contents in soils were found to be higher than in coal. The estimated annual effective doses for coal and soils were found to be in the ranges of 17.6-41.6 and 38.0-53.0μSv y-1, respectively. This study is an important contribution to the understanding of radiation exposure in the coal mining area of the thrust-bound sedimentary sequence of the Naga Schuppen Belt, and it would have potential impact on further human health studies. However, the measured values for all the samples were found to be within the globally recognised permissible range.

Soil carbon storage under different types of arid land use in Algeria

This study aims to assess the amount of organic carbon stored in soils, as it is an intention of knowing the sustainable soil management, by using two common methods for determining soil organic matter (SOM), namely oxidation with acidified wet dichromate (Walkley–Black method-WB) and loss on ignition (LOI). The study was carried with soil samples collected from a depth of 0 to 30 cm in the Saharan arid region of Ghardaïa (Algeria), with different land uses: agricultural, forest and pastoral. The results obtained from the LOI and WB methods were subjected to statistical analysis, and the relations between both methods were tested to investigate their relationship. The mean percentage of SOM values were 1.86, 2.42, 1.54 by using LOI, but, lower values of 0.34, 0.33, 0.36 were determined by using WB method, for agricultural, forest and pastoral soils respectively. A weak linear relationship between the two analytical procedures was obtained (R2 of 0.19 and 0.13 for agricultural and forest soils), while a medium relationship (R2 = 0.65) was found for pastoral soils when using linear adjustment. However, the opposite behaviour was found when we use the logarithmic adjustment. The study outcomes indicated discrepancies in the measurements of SOM values between the two methods, been higher those estimated with LOI. Finally, in order to identify the best methodology to measure soil organic matter in arid soils, more research is required in these extreme arid regions as they are a gap in world soil organic matter maps.

Measurement of natural radioactivity levels in soil samples of Bidar district, Karnataka, India.

Natural radioactivity measurement, radiation monitoring of the region, dose assessment and interpretation of radiological-related parameters are crucial aspects from the public awareness and environmental safety point of view. The ionising radiations (gamma-rays) emitted from radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in environmental materials contributes significantly to the external radiation dose received by the public. High-efficiency gamma spectrometry based on a 4″×4″ NaI (Tl) detector was employed for estimating activity concentrations of the gamma-emitting radioelements. The spectra from the detector were recorded using a PC-based 1k multichannel analyser system (WinTMCA 32). Each sample spectrum was acquired for a counting period of 60000s (16.67hr). Assuming the daughter products of 226Ra and 232Th in equilibrium, the activity concentration of these radionuclides were estimated by using the prominent gamma photo peaks of daughter products. Using the same technique, dose-related radiological parameters were calculated for all the samples. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides and the dose-related parameters for the samples were found to be comparable with the global literature values. The data generated from our study will contribute to the baseline radiological data of the region.

Two novel members of Onygenales, Keratinophyton kautmanovae and K. keniense spp. nov. from soil

Two new Keratinophyton species, K. kautmanovae sp. nov. and K. keniense sp. nov., isolated from soil samples originating from two different geographical and environmental locations (Africa and Europe) are described and illustrated. Phylogenetically informative sequences obtained from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the nuclear large subunit (LSU) rDNA, as well as their unique phenotype, fully support novelty of these two fungi for this genus. Based on ITS and LSU combined phylogeny, both taxa are resolved in a cluster with eight accepted species, including K. alvearium, K. chongqingense, K. hubeiense, K. durum, K. lemmensii, K. siglerae, K. submersum, and K. sichuanense. The new taxon, K. kautmanovae, is characterized by clavate, smooth to coarsely verrucose conidia, absence of arthroconidia, slow growth at 25 °C, and no growth at 30 °C, while K. keniense is morphologically unique with a high diversity of conidial shapes (clavate, filiform, globose, cymbiform and rhomboid). Both species are described based on their asexual, a chrysosporium-like morph. While the majority of hitherto described Keratinophyton taxa came from Europe, India and China, the new species K. keniense represents the first reported taxonomic novelty for this genus from Africa.

Distribution of 210Po activity and soil texture in agricultural soil.

The assessment of 210Po in agricultural soil matrices in different regions of Kerala and Karnataka was studied. The wet ash method was used to find the activity concentration of 210Po. The alpha activity was counted using a silver-activated zinc sulfide counter of 30% efficiency, and the activity was calculated. The average concentration of 210Po activity in soil samples ranged from 0.09 to 20.52Bqkg-1, with an average value of 4.47Bqkg-1. The soil texture was measured using the International Pipette method. Using the IBM Statistical Package of Social Science Software, the frequency distribution curve of 210Po is plotted and found to be lognormal. The data of 210Po are highly skewed, and the Kurtosis has a significant positive value. The 210Po activity concentrations are substantially within the World Health Organization's recommended limits.

Innovative graph neural network approach for predicting soil heavy metal pollution in the Pearl River Basin, China

Predicting soil heavy metal (HM) content is crucial for monitoring soil quality and ensuring ecological health. However, existing methods often neglect the spatial dependency of data. To address this gap, our study introduces a novel graph neural network (GNN) model, Multi-Scale Attention-based Graph Neural Network for Heavy Metal Prediction (MSA-GNN-HMP). The model integrates multi-scale graph convolutional network (MS-GCN) and attention-based GNN (AGNN) to capture spatial relationships. Using surface soil samples from the Pearl River Basin, we evaluate the MSA-GNN-HMP model against four other models. The experimental results show that the MSA-GNN-HMP model has the best predictive performance for Cd and Pb, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.841 for Cd and 0.886 for Pb, and the lowest mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.403 mg kg−1 for Cd and 0.670 mg kg−1 for Pb, as well as the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.563 mg kg−1for Cd and 0.898 mg kg−1 for Pb. In feature importance analysis, latitude and longitude emerged as key factors influencing the heavy metal content. The spatial distribution prediction trend of heavy metal elements by different prediction methods is basically consistent, with the high-value areas of Cd and Pb respectively distributed in the northwest and northeast of the basin center. However, the MSA-GNN-HMP model demonstrates superior detail representation in spatial prediction. MSA-GNN-HMP model has excellent spatial information representation capabilities and can more accurately predict heavy metal content and spatial distribution, providing a new theoretical basis for monitoring, assessing, and managing soil pollution.

Phytoremediation Characterization of Heavy Metals by Some Native Plants at Anthropogenic Polluted Sites in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Many anthropogenic activities have lately resulted in soil adulteration by heavy metals (HMs). The assessment of native plant species that grow in the polluted environments is of great importance for using these plants in phytoremediation techniques. This study was conducted in three industrial regions in Jeddah city, Wadi Marik, Bahra, and Khumrah, to assess the HM contamination level in them. This study also evaluated the phytoremediation ability of nine plant species collected from the studied regions. Soil physicochemical properties of the studied sites were investigated. Nine HMs, aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and barium (Ba), have been evaluated in the collected soil, plant shoots, and root samples. Total thiol concentration in the plant shoots and roots was determined. The phytoremediation indexes, such as bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF), were estimated. The results show that the soil of all the explored sites was sandy and slightly alkaline. It was found that Ni, Pb, and Cr were above the international permissible limit in all soil samples. The Wadi Marik region recorded the highest HM concentration compared to the other sites. In the Bahra region, Fe, Zn, Co, and Mn in all collected soil samples were below internationally permissible levels. In Khumrah, the highest concentration of Zn was found in the soil sample collected around F. indica plants, while Fe, Co, and Mn in all collected soil samples were below the international permissible limit. Depending on the BCF calculations, most of the investigated species showed phytostabilization ability for most of the studied HMs. Of them, E. indica, T. nubica, and P. divisum recorded the highest BCF values that ranged from 16.1 to 3.4. The BCF values of the studied HMs reduced in the order of Cr > Zn > Mn > Co > Ba > Fe > Al > Pb. Phytoextration of Co and Cr could be achieved by P. oleracea and F. indica, which showed TF values that reached 6.7 and 6.1, respectively. These plants showed high potential for phytoremediation and can be suggested as protective belts close to the contaminated regions of Jeddah.

Predicting heavy metal transport in groundwater around Lemna dumpsite: implications for residence utilizing borehole water in Cross River State, Nigeria

Groundwater is considered the most important natural resource to mankind. Groundwater constitutes an important part of the hydrological cycle and is more prone to pollution. Dumpsite located in close proximity to groundwater resources is highly susceptible to leachates pollution. Predicting the susceptibility of groundwater pollution is crucial to address industry-standard codes for groundwater flow, contaminant transport, local to regional-scale water quality, and source water protection issues. Therefore, predicting heavy metal transport in groundwater around Lemna dumpsite in Cross River State, Nigeria, was examined. Soil samples were purposively collected with a soil Auger, along a straight line at (5 m, 25 m and 50 m) in the dumpsite. Water samples were purposively collected from five (5) boreholes close to Lemna dumpsite. The study utilized pumping test method to obtain data for the analysis of heavy metal transport in groundwater. Data analysis of the laboratory results of soil and borehole water quality focuses on arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and mercury. Paired sample t test was used to analyse the soil and borehole water quality. Visual Modflow was also used to analyse the solute transport of heavy metals in groundwater around Lemna dumpsite. The paired sample t test of the analysis of heavy metals in soil exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to National Environmental Standard Regulation and Enforcement Agency limits. The paired sample t test of the analysis of heavy metals in borehole water exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to World Health Organization limits. The significant level indicates contamination of the soil and borehole water. The findings revealed a spatial spread of 259.2000 m2/day, with the contaminant travelling up to 94,608 m2/year. The extent of heavy metals concentration exhibited a maximum of 0.991 mg/l to a minimum of (− 6.72 × 10–18 mg/l), with concentrations decreasing as the plume extend. The study recommends the need for remediation and stringent monitoring to mitigate heavy metal contamination of boreholes near Lemna dumpsite.

Analysis of the effect of the chemical composition ratio of soil samples on pretreatment methods (direct method, AMP) and MDA

Analysis of the effect of the chemical composition ratio of soil samples on pretreatment methods (direct method, AMP) and MDA

Effect of Different Levels of NPK, Biochar and Azotobacter on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

In light of this, the following goals are present in the experiment "Effect of Different Levels of NPK and Biochar, Azotobacter on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield Attributes of Cowpea to calculate the impact of various NPK, Biochar, and Azotobacter dosages on the physical-chemical characteristics of soil. An excavated soil sample from the experimental site revealed that the land topography ranged from nearly level to sloped by 1% to 6%, with soil area falling into the Inceptisol order. The soil texture was sandy loam, with sand percentages of 62.65%, silt percentages of 21.09, and clay percentages of 16.26. The pH of soil was 6.89, and its electrical conductivity (EC) was non-saline (0.42 ds m-1). Organic carbon content was low to medium, available nitrogen was low to medium (280.78 kg ha-1), available phosphorus was 17.34 kg ha-1, and available potassium was 168.16 kg ha-1. Two factors with three levels of @NPK 0, 50, and 100% ha-1, three levels of @Biochar 0, 50, and 100% ha-1, and a randomized block design were used in the statistical analysis. During field testing, nine different treatments were used; the best outcomes were significant. The results indicate that the physical and chemical parameters of the soil, including the cumulative mean values for bulk density (1.39 and 1.41 mg m-3), particle density (2.46 and 2.47 mg m-3), and soil pH (6.89 and 6.91), attained their maximum in T1 (Absolute control) at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm, respectively. Additionally, the percentage pore space was found to be 48.22% and 47.39%, and the water holding capacity was found to be 44.14% and 45.34%), electrical conductivity (EC) was measured at 0.49 ds m-1 and 0.52 ds m-1, the percentage of organic carbon was determined to be 0.40%), and the available nitrogen was found to be (299.78 kg ha-1 and 295.76 kg ha-1, available phosphorus was (23.78 kg ha-1 and 21.98 kg ha-1), and the available potassium was (179.25 kg ha-1 and 176.56 kg ha-1).

Effect of vegetation cover and soil moisture on water repellency persistence of drained peat soils

AbstractPeatlands play an essential role in the environment and their conservation requires knowledge of water-related processes. Their hydrophobicity is an important factor influencing the flow of water in soils. Drainage of fens and adapting them for agricultural production have contributed to the degradation of peat soils. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of vegetation cover (meadows, alder swamp and birch forest) of drained peat soils on the persistence of their water repellency as a function of their moisture content. Soil samples (Rheic Fibric Histosol and Rheic Murshic Hemic Histosol) were collected from four sites in the Biebrza Wetlands (Poland). The sites include extensive meadows, intensive meadows, alder swamp forest, and secondary birch forest. The study used the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) to assess the persistence of soil water repellency during the drying of soil samples in laboratory conditions. The study proposed a three-straight lines model to describe the relationship between WDPT and soil moisture content. Results revealed that the peat soils in intensive meadows showed the highest WDPT, followed by the secondary birch and alder swamp forest. and then by semi-natural meadows, which has the lowest WDPT.

Clay dispersal in soil treated with landfill leachate containing high concentrations of Na+ and K+: a case study

Waste deposited in landfills undergoes decomposition and generates a liquid called leachate (LAS). Despite its high potential for environmental pollution, LAS has been used in agriculture because it is rich in carbon and nutrients. However, the effect of LAS application on soil clay dispersion remains inconclusive. Considering that the application of high concentrations of Na+ and K+ can cause long-term clay dispersion, the objective of this work was to evaluate clay dispersion in a clay Oxisol after 6 years of LAS application with a high concentration of Na+ and K+. The evaluation was conducted in a grain production experimental area of IDR-PR. For 6 years, two applications per year of LAS were performed, appling an amount equivalent to 28.6 kg ha-1 of total N. Before and after LAS application, soil sampling was performed, collecting 32 samples randomly in a 0-0.2 m depth. Analysis of clay dispersed in water, pH-H2O, pH-KCl, organic carbon, the cation bases: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+ were performed, and estimated zero charge point, and ∆pH. The results showed that after 6 years, organic carbon and cation bases in soil increased. Dispersed clay rather a reduction of 11.2%. Thus, long-term application of LAS with high concentrations of Na+ and K+, did not increase clay dispersion in a clay Oxisol after 6 years and increases organic carbon and nutrients.

Contributions of Different Perennial Grass Species and Their Roots’ Characteristics to Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation

Growing perennial grasses is often cited as one of the possible and most affordable solutions for mitigating climate change. This practice is also recommended for sustainable soil management in agriculture. Our experiment involved timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and their mixture; tall oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and their mixture, with the aim of diversifying the annual rotation; and periodical, twice-per-season cultivated plots in the same area (the bare soil fallow). Soil samples were collected in late October after plant vegetation’s first, second, and third growth years from three field replicates at the soil layers 0–0.1 m, 0.1–0.2 m, and 0.2–0.3 m and plant roots—at the beginning of November in the second cultivation year. After three years, the SOC content increased in all the study areas occupied by plants, regardless of their species composition, while it decreased in fallow plots. Grass roots were characterized by the highest C/N ratio (38.2 and 45.5). The roots of the red clover–timothy grass mixture also reached a C/N ratio greater than 30. Based on our research, choosing a combination of at least two plants, such as legumes and grasses, is possibly more effective for enriching the soil with carbon compounds in a short period.

Association studies of salinity tolerance in sunflower provide robust breeding and selection strategies under climate change.

Phytotoxic soil salinity is a global problem, and in the northern Great Plains and western Canada, salt accumulates on the surface of marine sediment soils with high water tables under annual crop cover, particularly near wetlands. Crop production can overcome saline-affected soils using crop species and cultivars with salinity tolerance along with changes in management practices. This research seeks to improve our understanding of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) genetic tolerance to high salinity soils. Genome-wide association was conducted using the Sunflower Association Mapping panel grown for two years in naturally occurring saline soils (2016 and 2017, near Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada), and six phenotypes were measured: days to bloom, height, leaf area, leaf mass, oil percentage, and yield. Plot level soil salinity was determined by grid sampling of soil followed by kriging. Three estimates of sunflower performance were calculated: (1) under low soil salinity (< 4dS/m), (2) under high soil salinity (> 4dS/m), and (3) plasticity (regression coefficient between phenotype and soil salinity). Fourteen loci were significant, with one instance of co-localization between a leaf area and a leaf mass locus. Some genomic regions identified as significant in this study were also significant in a recent greenhouse salinity experiment using the same panel. Also, some candidate genes underlying significant QTL have been identified in other plant species as having a role in salinity response. This research identifies alleles for cultivar improvement and for genetic studies to further elucidate salinity tolerance pathways.

Morphological and molecular characterization of the European dagger nematode Xiphinema diversicaudatum on peach (Prunus persica) in Canada

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a significant threat to global agriculture, leading to substantial yield losses. Managing nematode populations remains a challenging option due to financial, technical and environmental constraints. In Ontario, Canada, the presence of Xiphinema nematodes, a virus vector species, is of particular concern. This study reports the discovery of X. diversicaudatum in a peach field in Southern Ontario, Canada. The description includes morphological and molecular characterization using the 18S and 28S rDNA sequences. Morphological and molecular characterization of Ontario’s population matched those from Europe. While X. diversicaudatum was presumed eradicated from Canada, the present finding showed that the nematode could have spread beyond greenhouses. The study highlights the importance of intensive soil sampling for early nematode detection, even as strict reporting requirements may deter such efforts. We report for the first time the presence of X. diversicaudatum on peaches in Canada and in North America.

Nest Biota and Composition of Household Ants in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State

Household ants are an important group of insect pests because of their close association with man. However, there is less data on their role in the mechanical spread of diseases in the study area. Therefore, this study investigated ant species and the soil microbes in their nest in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria in August, 2023. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 60 households across three developmental areas using hand-picking methods for ants’ collection as well as soil samples collection from available nests which were transferred in sample containers and transported to the laboratory for ants’ identification, parasitological analysis and culture. 3,015 ants belonging to five subfamilies, 15 genera and 17 species were collected. The most dominant ant was Brachyponera sennaarensis (21.43%), while Solenopsis spp. was least dominant (0.23%). Of the selected ants screened, none had ecto and endo-parasites. Although three (3) species of soil transmitted helminths were found in the soil analyzed using sedimentation method and the modified Baermann’s funnel technique in which Strongyloides starcoralis 16(26.67%) was more prevalent. Ants were also contaminated with (13) species of bacteria of which Escherichia coli was the most frequent (22.63%) pathogenic bacteria. Candida spp. was also recorded in the study. Consequently, Households in the study sites show increasingly high number of ants due to their efficient feeding and nesting activities; this may support the mechanical spread of helminths and soil pathogenic microbes, therefore proper sanitation as well as integrated control measures against ant infestation should be given due consideration.