Microbial community structure of an oil polluted site in Effurun, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was done to ascertain the microbial diversity of a hydrocarbon polluted soil in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Physicochemical analyses were carried out on the polluted and unpolluted (control) soil samples. Total petroleum hydrocarbon contents (TPH), and concentrations of some extracted heavy metals (lead, copper and zinc) were measured and calculated, comparatively. Mean values of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB),  hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB), total heterotrophic fungi (THF) and hydrocarbon utilizing fungi (HUF) were also recorded in control and polluted samples. A total of nine bacterial (Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus) and seven fungal (Aspergillus, Candida, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Mucor, Penicillium and Trichosporon) species were identified. The study showed that these species are resistant to hydrocarbon contents and are able to utilize them as a source of energy. Hence, these species play important roles in remediation of oil in the environment.

Keywords: Crude oil pollution, microbial remediation, total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), hydrocarbon utilising bacteria (HUB), total heterotrophic fungi (THF)