Microbiological Assessment of Soil from Dumpsites in Joseph Ayo Babalola University

Abstract

This study investigated the microbiological assessment of two dumpsites in Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU). Dumpsites are a prime source of environmental pollution that constitutes a habitat for vector and other nuisance organisms capable of transmitting or causing diseases. The aim of the research is to isolate and identify the microorganisms present in soil from various dumpsites in JABU. A total of 3 soil samples was collected on different locations from each site labelled A-C. The isolates that were obtained were identified and characterized using staining techniques and biochemical tests. The total bacterial count for S1 ranged from 10.2 x 10³ cfu/g to 20.1 x103cfu/g while the count for S2 ranged from 5.4 x 10³ cfu/g to 9.4 x10³ cfu/g. The total fungal count for S1 ranged from 4 x 10³ SFU/g to 8 x 10³ SFU/g while the count for S2 ranged from 2 x 10³ SFU/g to 6 x 10³ SFU/g. Eight Gram negative bacterial isolates (E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Serratia, Enterobacter, Micrococcus and Pseudomonas) and two isolates positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis) to Gram staining were obtained. A total of 9 fungal isolates (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, Mucor, Cladosporium, Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizopus oryzae Fusarium, and Penicillium) were obtained. From these experimental results, it was shown that pathogenic microorganisms were discovered to be present in soil samples from various dumpsites.