ABSTRACT

This study was to determining the microorganisms associated with refuse dump sites in Aba Metropolis, Abia State. A total of four (4) decomposing wastes and soil samples each were collected from various locations under study. Theses samples were cultured on Nutrient Agar Plate and Basic Czapek-dox Agar using spread plate technique. A total of six (6) bacterial and three (3) fungal species were obtained comprising of Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger, Rhodotorula specie, Bacillus species, Micrococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Serratia species. From this study, the total viable microbial counts from the waste dumpsite ranged from 3.3 × 105 cfu/g to 9.9 × 105cfu/g. Total Heterotrophic Plate Count (THPC) ranged from 6.2 × 105 cfu/g to 8.4 × 105 cfu/g, Total Coliform Plate Count (TCPC) ranged from 3.3 × 105 cfu/g to 9.9 × 105cfu/g, Total Fungal Plate Count ranged from 3.9 × 105 cfu/g to 4.5 × 105 cfu/g, while the total viable microbial counts of the decomposing waste ranged from 3.5 × 105cfu/g to 7.5 × 105cfu/g. Total Heterotrophic Plate Counts (THPC) ranged from 5.0 × 105 cfu/g to 7.1 × 105 cfu/g. Total Coliform Plate Counts (TCPC) ranged from 3.5 × 105 cfu/g to 8.8 × 105cfu/g, Total Fungal Plate Counts (TFPC) ranged from 3.7 × 105 cfu/g to 4.6 × 105 cfu/g. Amongst the various decomposing wastes samples investigated, Dw4 had the highest microbial at 8.8 × 105, while the least was recorded for Dw3 at 3.1 × 106 cfu/g. From the findings in this study, it was observed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently occurring isolates from the waste dumpsites with highest percentage occurrence of (25%) each. The degree of acidity (pH) recorded for all the dumpsites ranged from 0.5 to 7.8. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in the meant counts from both the decomposing waste and waste from dumpsite at p < 0.05.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page   i

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Contents vi

List of Tables vii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Waste Dump Sites 1

1.3 What Is Refuse Dump? 3

1.4 Composition of Waste Dump Sites 6

1.5 Disadvantages of Waste Dump Sites 7

1.6 Benefit of Waste Dump Sites 8

1.7 Aim and Objectives 8

1.7.1 Objectives 9

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 What Are Waste? 10

2.2 Microorganisms Found in Waste Dump Sites 11

2.3 Waste Dump Sites as an Agent of Pollution 11

2.4 Activities carried out at Waste Dump Sites 12

2.4.1 Composting 12

2.4.2 Incineration 13

2.4.3 Land filling 14

2.4.4 Sorting and Scavenging 15

2.5 Problems Associated With Waste Dump Sites 15

2.5.1 Poor Environmental Education and Awareness 16

2.5.2. Lack of Suitable Technologies 16

2.5.3. Lack of Incentives to Recycling Initiatives 16

2.5.4. Poor Funding of Environmental Agencies 17

2.6 Standard /Ways of Disposing Waste as Recommended by the Government 17

2.6.1 Source Reduction 17

2.6.2 Recycling 17

2.6.3 Energy Recovery 18

2.6.4 Preventing or reducing waste generation 18

2.7 Regulation on Environmental Dumping of Waste 18

2.7.1 Adequate Environmental Education 18

2.7.2 Use of Suitable Technologies 19

2.7.3 Provision of Incentives to Recycling Initiatives 19

2.7.4 Proper Funding of Environmental Agencies 19

2.8 Major Waste Dumpsites in Abia 19

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Materials and Methods 20

3.2 Study Area 20

3.3 Sample Collection 20

3.4 Sterilization of Materials 21

3.5 Preparation of Media 21

3.6 Physico-Chemical Analyses 21

3.6.1 Determination of pH 21

3.6.2 Determination of Temperature 22

3.6.3 Determination of Carbon Content 22

3.6.4 Inoculation of Sample 22

3.6.5 Isolation of Pure Culture 22

3.7 Identification of Bacteria Isolates 23

3.7.1 Motility 23

3.7.2 Morphological Identification 23

3.7.3 Gram Staining Procedure 23

3.8 Biochemical Tests 24

3.8.1 Catalase Test 24

3.8.2 Lactose and Mannitol Fermentation Test 24

3.8.3 Voges-proskauer Test 24

3.8.4 Urease Test 24

3.8.5 Indole Test 24

3.8.6 Citrate Utilization Test 25

3.9 Identification of Fungal Isolates 25

3.9.1 Wet Preparation 25

3.9.2 Colonial Morphology    25

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Result 26

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation 34

5.2 Discussion 34

5.3 Conclusion 35

5.4 Recommendation 36

Reference 

Appendix I

Appendix II