Microbial Population Dynamics and Composition in Crude Oil Contaminated Soils Treated with Microorganisms and Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum)

Abstract

Crude oil pollution can cause alterations in the soil physico- chemical properties and microbial activities, with deleterious effects on soil productivity indices. Studies were conducted on a sandy loam soil contaminated with levels of crude oil, bioremediated with bacteria, fungi and guinea grass. The experiment was a 3 x 4 factorial in completely randomized design (CRD) in the screen house in the University of Port Harcourt. Results showed that all the treatments had significant (p<0.05) effects on microbial population, diversity and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). Bacteria significantly (p<0.05) reduced TPH within 6 to 8 days. Bacillus Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Aermonnas and Pseaudomanas spp. were the dominant bacteria found in the soil whereas, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Blastomycetes and Saccharomyteces species were the dominant fungi isolates. Guinea grass was not effective in bioremediation when the crude oil was above 5% w/w level of contamination.

Keywords: Crude oil, bioremediation, bacteria, fungi, soil fertility, petroleum hydrocarbon.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-16-01

Publication date: August 31^st 2019