Identification of the Bacterial Community Responsible for Decontaminating Eleme Petrochemical Industrial Effluent Using 16s RDNA PCR Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

Identification of bacteria community responsible for decontaminating Eleme petrochemical industrial effluent using 16S PCR denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was determined. Gene profiles were determined by extracting DNA from bacterial isolates and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 16S rDNA eubacterial primers with a GC clamp. PCR amplified DNA was separated by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Comparative evaluation of primers for PCR amplification of DNA revealed that V6V8F and V6V8R primers were most suitable for amplification DNA. Denaturing gradient gel ratio of 20% : 80% was most suitable for differentiation of bacterial profiles. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of DGGE products were successful displaying 88% -100% similarity and homology to Roseococcus sp. LW5(FM956480.1). Dendograms and similarity matrix revealed 81.5% -100% from sampling points.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v33i4.

Lead Contamination and Microbial Lead Tolerance in Soils at Major Road Junctions in Benin City

Lead pollution and lead tolerance levels of microbes in soil at major road junctions in Benin City were investigated. Results revealed that distance from the road junctions affected the concentrations of lead in soil,as well as the microbial population density and types of microbes present in the soil. The highest concentrations of lead were recorded with soil samples obtained at 0 and 10m distance closer to road junctions, while the lowest concentrations were recorded with soil samples obtained at 30m distance away from road junctions. The highest concentrationsrecorded for lead, copper and iron were 32 x 101 mg kg-1, 8 x 10-1 mg kg-1 6.3 x 10-1 respectively. All these levels decreased rapidly as the distance from the road increased. Bacterial counts increased as the distance from the road junctions increased. While fungal counts decreased as distance from road junctions increased. Lead tolerance range ofbacterial and fungal isolates was between 10 to 1000 mg 1-1. Non-significant, negative correlation was found between lead concentration and microbal counts. The bacteria and fungi most frequently isolated at 0 and 10m distance were Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Candida utilis, Penicillium sp and the yeast Saccharromyces cerevisiae. @JASE

Effects of automobile battery wastes on physicochemical properties of soil in Benin City, Edo State

Difference in soil qualities has been noticeable in many soils due to anthropogenic sources, especially of automobile battery wastes. This study examines the effects of automobile battery wastes on the physicochemical properties of the soil. Soil samples for this study were collected in triplicates from three battery chargers’ workshops: Adolor, Edaiken and Uwelu in Benin City, Edo State at 0-15cm depth, in the months of August, September and October. The soil physicochemical parameters analyzed indicate variations of values in the contaminated soil over uncontaminated soil (control). Among the parameters examined, conductivity was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the contaminated soil (59.3- 184mho/cm) than in the uncontaminated soil. Notably, a more acidic pH value of 3.7-4.5 was also recorded beyond standard limits of 6.5~8.5. Meanwhile phosphorus was relatively high (1.95-3.35) and nitrogen (0.08-0.15) was low as against the control value of 2.71 and 0.18 respectively. Heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu) were present in different concentrations in contaminated soil sample which ranges from far above acceptable standard limit between (0.288-0.875, 0.757- 1.342, 0.108-0.279, 0.718-1.062 and 0.272-0.518 mg/kg) compared to their values in the control soil sample having 0.003, 0.125, 0, 0 and 0.063 mg/kg respectively. Battery wastes were found to be significant sources of Cadmium and Chromium, as none of both was detected in the control soil sample. The daily activities of auto-mechanic battery workshops have negative impacts on soil physicochemical properties. Note, the soil in mechanic battery workshops needs urgent cleanup to minimize contamination of ecological materials and public health implication. This work will prove valuable in providing baseline information for further soil quality monitoring studies in study areaKEYWORDS: Physicochemical, Heavy metals, Battery wastes, Contaminated and uncontaminated soil

A study of the microbiology and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compositional profile and sources in drill cuttings from Ologbo oilfield wells at Edo State, Nigeria

A study was carried out on the drill cuttings from three different oil and gas wells located at Ologbo Community at Edo State with respect to their  microbiology and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compositional profile and sources. Isolation and enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi was carried out using pour plate techniques. pH and electrical  conductivity were monitored using single electrode meters. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon was determined using gas chromatography, oil and  grease concentration was analyzed using spectrophotometric method. Results of total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged between 5.4 x 105 cfu/g at well 2 to 7.23 x 105 cfu/g while the heterotrophic fungal counts  ranged from 3.7 x 104 cfu/g to 3.0 x 105 cfu/g. Total heterotrophic  anaerobic bacterial counts also ranged from 0.8 x 102 cfu/g to 1.7 x 102 cfu/g. The most predominant bacterial isolates were Clostridium spp.  (16.6%) and Mycobacterium spp. (14.5%). Species of Aspergillus (16.6) and Penicillium (14.2) also had the highest frequency of occurrence among the fungi isolates. The pH ranged from 5.42 to 5.78. The highest electrical  conductivity value was 383 ìS/cm. The range for oil and grease was from 8352 to 9654.61 mg/kg. Of the heavy metals iron had the highest concentration (126 ppm) while least concentration was observed in zinc (61 ppm). The 3-ring PAHs had the highest percentage composition for  samples from the three (3) different wells (53, 73 and 89 for well 1, 2 and 3 respectively). The source identification by isomer ratios of PAHs revealed that drill cuttings from Wells 1 - 2 were of pyrogenic origins, while cuttings from well 3 indicated both petrogenic and pyrogenic origin. It was quite clear that drill cuttings emanating from Ologbo oilfield wells were unsafe for disposal and therefore will require a strict adherence of the procedures and instructions described for oil drilling exploration and procedure (E and P) waste management in Nigeria.Keywords: : drill-cuttings, muds, microbial qualities, PAHs, heavy metals

Comparison of the Etest and the routine multi-disc agar diffusion susceptibility of Staphylococcus species

Aims: The present study, tend to evaluate the validity and accuracy of Etest as a method for performing in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus with comparison to the routine multi disc agar diffusion. This is because the Etest susceptibility method is not yet known as a rapid, simple reliable technique in developing countries as it combine the functions of both dilution and diffusion technique. Materials and methods: Ninety-seven Staphylococcus aureus and eightythree Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates were obtained from wound samples and identified according to standard morphological and biochemical methods. The antibiotics susceptibility patterns were determined both by agar disc diffusion and Etest methods in accordance to NCCLS (1997) criteria and manufacturer (AB Biodisk Sweden) respectively. Results: On the Etest strips, Staph aureus was 83.5% sensitive to ciprofloxacin, 52.6% to gentamicin, 48.5% to ampicillin and 8.2% to chloramphenicol while on the multi-disc agar diffusion plates 80.4% of Staph aureus were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, 49.5% to gentamicin, 39.2% to ampicillin and 12.4% to chloramphenicol.. On the Etest strips, 80.7% of Staph epidermidis were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, 34.9% to gentamicin, 25.3% to ampicillin and 15.7% to chloramphenicol while on the multi- disc agar diffusion plates 89.2% of Staph epidermidis were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, 34.9% to gentamicin, 25.3% to ampicillin and 32.5% to chloramphenicol. Conclusion: The sensitivity patterns between the two methods were essentially similar, however, the Etest method clearly demonstrated intermediate sensitivities which to an extent were absent in routine multi-disc agar diffusion method. Most of the isolates Etest MICs clustered around the sensitive and resistance break points. Etest also demonstrated the MIC and diffusion results on the same strips. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial, gram-positive, chemotherapy.Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2008: pp.121-12

Lead Contamination and Microbial Lead Tolerance in Soils at Major Road Junctions in Benin City

Lead pollution and lead tolerance levels of microbes in soil at major road junctions in Benin City were investigated. Results revealed that distance from the road junctions affected the concentrations of lead in soil, as well as the microbial population density and types of microbes present in the soil. The highest concentrations of lead were recorded with soil samples obtained at 0 and 10m distance closer to road junctions, while the lowest concentrations were recorded with soil samples obtained at 30m distance away from road junctions. The highest concentrations recorded for lead, copper and iron were 32 x 101 mgkg-1, 8 x 10-1 mgkg-1 6.3 x 10-1 respectively. All these levels decreased rapidly as the distance from the road increased. Bacterial counts increased as the distance from the road junctions increased. While fungal counts decreased as distance from road junctions increased. Lead tolerance range of bacterial and fungal isolates was between 10 to 1000 mg 1-1. Non-significant, negative correlation was found between lead concentration and microbal counts. The bacteria and fungi most frequently isolated at 0 and 10m distance were Pseudomonas sp ., Micrococcus sp. , Bacillus sp. , Candida utilis , Penicillium sp and the yeast Saccharromyces cerevisiae . @JASE

Lead Contamination and Microbial Lead Tolerance in Soils at Major Road Junctions in Benin City

Lead pollution and lead tolerance levels of microbes in soil at major road junctions in Benin City were investigated. Results revealed that distance from the road junctions affected the concentrations of lead in soil,as well as the microbial population density and types of microbes present in the soil. The highest concentrations of lead were recorded with soil samples obtained at 0 and 10m distance closer to road junctions, while the lowest concentrations were recorded with soil samples obtained at 30m distance away from road junctions. The highest concentrationsrecorded for lead, copper and iron were 32 x 101 mg kg-1, 8 x 10-1 mg kg-1 6.3 x 10-1 respectively. All these levels decreased rapidly as the distance from the road increased. Bacterial counts increased as the distance from the road junctions increased. While fungal counts decreased as distance from road junctions increased. Lead tolerance range ofbacterial and fungal isolates was between 10 to 1000 mg 1-1. Non-significant, negative correlation was found between lead concentration and microbal counts. The bacteria and fungi most frequently isolated at 0 and 10m distance were Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Candida utilis, Penicillium sp and the yeast Saccharromyces cerevisiae. @JASE

Co-composting of Non-aqueous Drilling Fluid Contaminated Cuttings from Ologbo Active Oilfield with Organic Manure

Drill cuttings (from Ologbo active oil field) contaminated with non-aqueous drilling fluid was co-composted with poultry manure and plant waste for eighteen weeks. A homogenized non-aqueous based fluid contaminated cutting was mixed with wood chips in a ratio of 1:1 and then mixed with soil, poultry and plant waste manure in ratio of 4:2:1. Results of total heterotrophic bacterial counts showed steady increase in counts from week 0 to week 12 in all treatments. The highest bacterial count of 8.8 x 107 ± 0.2 cfu/g was observed in macrocosm containing drill cuttings, soil and poultry manure at week 12. The highest fungal count of 6.5 x 104 ±0.2 cfu/g occurred in macrocosm containing drill cuttings, soil and poultry manure at week 12. The mixed community population of the compost system was observed to compose of ten (10) bacterial genera and five (5) fungal genera. The highest recorded pH was 8.15. Steady decreases were observed in electrical conductivity of the compost systems. Macrocosms containing poultry manure and plant waste had the highest percentage reduction of oil and grease and total petroleum hydrocarbon (99.57% and 99.92% respectively). Based on the findings from this study it is recommended that oil exploration and production companies should adopt compost technology with organic manure such as poultry and plant waste manure, as a waste management policy in order to reduce the high cost, energy and pollution associated with other conventional treatment options.Keywords: drill-cuttings, non-aqueous based fluid, bacteria, fungi, TP