ABSTRACT

The microbiological evaluation of abattoir effluent contaminated soil in Ubakala (Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia state) Nigeria was investigated, A total of 20 samples were collected and analysed for total heterotrophic bacteria count, fungal count, Vibrio cholera count. The culture media used were nutrient agar, potato dextrose agar, eosin methylene blue agar, Salmonella-shigella agar, macconkey agar. thiosulphate citrate bile-salt sucrose agar. The pour plate technique were used for the inoculation of samples. The total heterotrophic bacterial count for the contaminated soil ranged from 4.5 x 15 Cfu/ml to 8.8 x10 Cfu/ml while the fungal count was 1.2 x x 10³ Cfulml to 4.4 x x103/Cfulml for contaminated soil Sarnonella-shigella count ranged from 0.2 x x10³Cfu/ml to 0.3 x x 10³; Cfu/ml for contaminated, soil. Vibro Cholera count for contaminated soil was between 0,4 x xlO Cfu/ml and 2.0 x x10 Cfulml. Total Escharichia coli count for contaminated soil was from 1.0 x xlO³Cftu/ml to 2.4 x x10³Cfulml and the total coli fbrm count for contaminated soil ranged from 3.4 x l0Cftu/ml to 4.6 x x10⁴. These result showed that a high microbial load in the Abattior waste had a negative effect on the microbial population in the soil and river and the presence of Escherichia Coli and Streptococcus spp is an indication of faecal contamination which could pose a health risk and cause ecological imbalance when released into the environment.