Microbial Composition And Physico-Chemical Properties Of Soils Exposed To Household And Metallic Wastes

ABSTRACT

The mjcro, Composition and physio_chejnjcal properties of soils exposed to household and metallic wastes in South Eastern Nigeria was evaluated. Soils from household waste in metallic waste Were collected in Abja State (from urban household dumpsite and metallic dumpsite[c) These soils were analysed for selected physical and Chemical properties (hulk density pH. organic carbon, total nitrogen, particle size distribution, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability, microbial characterization/isolation and heavy metal concentration — lead, copper, and nickel). From the result gotten so far, it shows that these microorganisms decreases in population as the depth increases (they are found more on the top soil). The microbes isolated from household waste are E. coil, Pseudoinonas sp, Staphylococcus sp. while those isolated from metallic dumpsite are Pseudomonas sp., Baccilus sp and E.coli sp. Also the amount of CO2 evolved by these organisms decreases as the depth increases. The values of soils Irom contaminated and uncontaminated area were significantly different. Total nitrogen, hulk density and total porosity were also significantly different (but organic carbon saturated hydraulic conductivity and aggregate stability values for soils from contaminated and uncontaminated areas are not significantly different). Both total nitrogen. total porosity pT-li hulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity are significantlY effective (P <0.05), whereas other physico-chemical properties like organic carbon and aggregate stability are not significantly effective (P><0.05)