Seasonal effect on the bacterial and fungal population of an oilfield wastewater-polluted soil in Nigeria
Obire, O.; Wemedo, S.A.
Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 6(2): 17-21
2002
Document Number: 259953
Seasonal effect on the bacterial and fungal populations of an oilfield waste water-polluted soil was investigated for 12 months. Many bacterial and fungal species were present in the soil and the waste water of the area investigated. Some of the organisms occurred in both the soil and oilfield waste water while others occurred only in the soil. Eighteen (18) organisms were isolated; 4 species (2 bacteria and 2 fungi) occurred in all the seasons whereas the other organisms occurred in at least one season. This showed that different seasons selectively favour the growth of certain microbial types. The chemical analysis of the oilfield waste water revealed the presence of inorganic components and oil residues in the waste water. The microbial counts of the polluted soil when compared to the control samples in all the locations did not reveal a clear seasonal-pollutant effect on the microbial densities. However, fungal counts showed somewhat seasonal-pollutant effect in two locations. The chemical constituents of the waste water are relatively of low toxicity and hence had no toxic effects on the soil microbial population. Seasonal variations show that the drier seasons supported large active population and wetter season had smaller population of microbial densities. However, seasonal influence was more pronounced on the fungi than on the bacteria.