IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIAL DIVERSITY OF SPENT OIL CONTAMINATED SOIL WITHIN GUSAU METROPOLIS

Spent engine oil, otherwise called waste engine oil, is usually obtained after servicing and subsequent draining from internal combustion engines of automobiles and generators by auto repairers…The study was carried out to identify bacterial diversity of spent oil contaminated soil within Gusau metropolis. Nine(9) soil samples were collected at the depth of 0-5, 5-10 and 10-15cm from selected mechanic workshops located at Sunani, Tudun wada, Kantin daji and non-oil contaminated soil as control for analysis. The physicochemical parameters analysed include pH, temperature, texture and color. Bushnell Haas medium supplemented with 1% premium motor spirit (PMS) as sole sources of carbon was used to isolate hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, while heterotrophic bacteria were isolated using nutrient Agar. The soil samples were characterized with smooth, black to dark brown with an unpleasant smell as well as high temperature and pH. The three mechanic workshops used for this study, shows relatively higher counts for Hydrocarbon utilizing Bacteria while higher heterotrophic bacterial count was obtained from the control site though there was no significant difference between individual mechanic workshop. The isolates are potential hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria based on their ability to survive in Bushnell Haas Agar supplemented with PMS. The isolates identified belonged to the species of Bacillus, Acinetobacter and Micrococcus. The findings revealed the large abundance of active indigenous hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria which can be monitored and enhanced to bring about bioremediation in the study area and beyond.