Assessment of Quality Status of Soils Around Dumpsites in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nigerian Research Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Pathogenic microorganisms in solid waste can be introduced into the
environment when improperly managed. This study evaluates the
microbiological and physicochemical properties of topsoil samples
obtained from three municipal waste dumpsites and a dumpsite free
area (control sample) all located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Soil
samples were collected on a spot at depth range of 15-30 cm for
laboratory analyses which included measurements of temperature,
pH, moisture content and microbiological population. The pH values
of the samples ranged from 6.7 to 7.9. The temperature ranged from
26 oC to 28 oC which falls within the mesophilic range. The total
aerobic heterotrophic bacteria population ranged from 1.8×105
cfu/ml to 5.8 × 105 cfu/ml for all the three dumpsites and 1.0×105
cfu/ml for the control. The specie of bacteria isolated from the soil
samples from the dumpsites included Staphylococcus auerus,
Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella aerogenes, Bacillus subtilis,
Proteus vulgars and Micrococcus cuteus. Only Bacillus subtilis and
Micrococcus cuteus were dominant in the control. The total viable
fungal population ranged from 1.0 × 104 cfu/ml to 2.6 × 104 cfu/ml
for all the soil samples from the dumpsites and 1.1 × 104 cfu/ml from
the control. The fungi isolated from the soil samples included
Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolarifer, Aspergillus niger,
Penicillium chrysogenium and Alteruaria tenuis. Only
chrypsogspuss and Alteruaria tenuis were identified in the control.
Presence of microorganisms in dumpsites around Ilorin metropolis
suggests that environmental quality has been significantly affected as
the soil sample showed high population of pathogenic
microorganisms. Hence, remediation is suggested
Description
Keywords
Dumpsites, Soil, Microbial population, Environmental quality, Solid waste
Citation
Iji, J.O., Mokuolu, O.A., Abdulkadir, T.S. and Oluwaseun, O.V. (2020). Assessment of Quality Status of Soils Around Dumpsites in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria.Nigerian Research Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences 5(1) 2020 pp. 205-213