INCIDENCE OF GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM MECHANIC WORKSHOPS IN IRELE LOCAL GOVERNNMENT, ONDO STATE

Different microorganisms have been implicated in the contamination of soils in mechanic workshops which varies with their diversity and composition. Soil samples were collected from different mechanic workshops, precisely two mechanic workshops namely Ayoola’s Mechanic and Sunny’s Mechanic workshop. The physiochemical parameters were recorded such as pH ranging from 4.77- 5.25, Electrical conductivity (44.3 & 50.3 µS/cm), Temperature (25.4- 25.8) and the compositions of the soils were analyzed. Microbial isolation was carried out using serial dilution and culture techniques on nutrient agar for identification of the bacteria Acinetobacter and Proteus spp. The specie Acinetobacter and Proteus exhibited catalase positive, oxidase negative and they are non-motile, but during the sugar fermentation test Acinetobacter spp didn’t ferment any sugar and produced no gas while the Proteus spp are strictly rod, non-lactose fermentant; which suggested the presence of hydrocarbon pollutants in the soil. This study highlights the resilience and ecological roles of microorganisms in polluted environments and supports the potential use of native microflora in the bioremediation of contaminated soils. Mechanic workshop soils showed a predominate of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms, suggesting microbial adaptation to petroleum-based pollutants.