ABSTRACT

The study was to isolate, identify and characterize micro organisms associated with urine contaminated soil. A total of twenty five (25) urine soil contaminated samples were collected from designated areas within Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, namely; Microbiology Laboratory Urine Contaminated Areas (Al), COLNAS New Lecture Hall Urine Contaminated Area (A2), Clinic Urine Contaminated Area (A3), Restaurant Urine Contaminated Area (A4), and ICT Urine Contaminated Area (AS). These samples were analysed and cultured on Nutrient Agar Medium, MacConkey, Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium and Salmonella shiegella Agar using pour plate technique. This study revealed the microbial species associated with the urine soil contaminated samples to beEscherichia coli, Pseudomoncis spp, kiebsiella spp, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp, Serratia spp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhodotorula spp and Rhizopus stolonfer respectively. This research shows that the number of colonies was found higher inurine contaminated soil from Microbiology Laboratory (A1 ) followed by urine contaminated soil A4, A5A3and A2in that other, in comparison with soils without urine contamination. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus genera were found in both soil contaminated with urine and soil without urine contamination and were proved higher in number of bacterial strains than other bacterial species. Among the various bacterial isolates from the urine contaminated soil samples, Escherichia coli has the highest number and percentage of bacterial isolates at 6(13.88%) while the least was recorded in Serratia spp at 2(5.55%). Among the fungi isolates from the urine contaminated soil samples, Aspergillus niger has the highest number and percentage of fungi isolates at 4(11.11%) while least was recorded in Rhodotorula spp and Rhizopus stolonfer at 2(5.55%) each. Generally, the result of the study revealed that human urine has great impact on soil microorganisms. Physical examination of the soil showed that the colour of urine contaminated soil is much darker than the uncontaminated soil and this may be an indication of the high level of organic carbon and organic matter contained in the urine contaminated soil. Therefore, microorganisms from public urine contaminated soils have potentials to cause disease either as primary or opportunistic pathogens