@article{aees2021947,
author={{Anaukwu, Chikodili G. and Ogbukagu, Chioma M. and Ekwealor, Ikechukwu A.},
title={Preliminary Study of Crude Oil Degradation by Microorganisms Isolated from Polluted Soil in Okarki, River State, Nigeria},
journal={Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences},
volume={9},
number={4},
pages={470--476},
year={2021},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/aees/9/4/7},
issn={2328-3920},
abstract={Pollution of the environment by hydrocarbon compounds has become a significant management challenge in oil-producing countries. Presently, the use of biological means for the reclamation of polluted sites is the most acceptable technique owing to its eco-friendliness. This study was carried out to assess the crude oil degradation potential of indigenous microorganisms in polluted soil. The polluted soil was obtained from a crude oil-ladened site in Okarki, River State, Nigeria. Bacterial and fungal organisms present in the polluted soil were isolated on Nutrient agar and Saboraud dextrose agar plates respectively. The isolates were identified based on their morphological, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. Gravimetric analysis of the crude oil degradation by the isolates was done in Bushnell Hass medium supplemented with 5% crude oil as the only carbon source. A total of 6 bacterial genera namely, <i>Staphylococcus, Citrobacter, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Bacillus</i><i> </i>and<i> </i><i>Corynebacterium</i><i> </i>were identified<i> </i>while the fungal isolates were <i>Aspergillus</i><i> </i><i>niger, Aspergillus flavus</i><i> </i>and <i>Penicillium</i> sp. Bacterial and fungal counts were 2.57¡À0.01 Log cfu/g and 2.08¡À0.07 Log cfu/g respectively. <i>Bacillus</i> sp. had the highest relative abundance (27.3%), while <i>Micrococcus</i> sp. and <i>Corynebacterium</i> sp. had the least occurrence (9.1%). Among the fungal group, <i>A. niger</i> showed the highest percentage occurrence in the polluted soil. All the indigenous organisms isolated from the polluted soil showed varying potentials for crude oil degradation. <i>Bacillus</i> sp. and <i>Penicillium</i> sp. were the highest crude oil-degrading bacterium and fungus respectively. The degradation potential of the bacterial consortium was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) than the other consortia tested. This study has shown that indigenous organisms possess the potential for crude oil degradation.},
doi={10.12691/aees-9-4-7}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}