Hydrocarbon Degradation and Biodegraders in Oil Spillage Sites in Port Harcourt
Roseanne Adah Ikpeama *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Joel Burabari Konne
Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Golda Lugesi Ezeh
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Clement Ugochukwu Nyenke
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Benjamin Nnamdi Okolonkwo
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Olube Emmanuel Obe
School Science, Engineering and Environment, The University of Salford, UK.
David Jaja
Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Godspower Ikechi Achi
School of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State College of Health Science Management and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Information on remediation of soils polluted from the activities of artisanal crude oil refining is lacking. The functional capability of the indigenous microbial community and prospects for recovery of important bio-resources has also not been explored. The aim of this study was to identify the hydrocarbon biodegrader present in oil spillage sites in Port Harcourt. Samples were taken from various sites (labelled ss1, ss2, ss3 and controls) in Port Harcourt and the samples were transported to the lab for bacteriological assessment. The samples were cultured in Nutrient agar and Basal Salt Medium (BSM). The total heterotrophic bacteria counts were enumerated by serially diluting the fluid sample. Microbial characterization was done based on morphological, physiological and biochemical tests. From the results, Pseudomonas species and Bacillus species were the probable isolated from the culture of hydrocarbon contaminated environment. The results also revealed increased compared to the control organism that maintained the same growth level throughout the 5 days of incubation, the isolated bacteria (Pseudomonas species and Bacillus species) had steady bacterial growth. This study has shown that Bacillus species and Pseudomonas aeroginosa are potential agents of bioremediation of environmental hydrocarbon pollution.
Keywords: Bacteria, count, environment, isolate, pollution