Ugochukwu C. Okafor, Michael U. Orji, Amechi S. Nwankwegu, Chikaodili G. Anaukwu, Samuel C. Onuorah, Etim J. Archibong, Ifeanyi E. Obika and Kingsley C. Agu
The effect of poultry droppings on bioremediation of crude oil-polluted soil was evaluated. Various concentrations of the poultry droppings (10%, 30%, and 50%) were also studied. The physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soil were monitored for a period of 6 months. The poultry droppings had total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts of 4.2 × 104cfu/g and 1.8 × 104cfu/g respectively. The total hydrocarbon utilizers increased progressively from month 2 to month 3, after which a decline from month 4 down occurred. The total heterotrophic microbial counts also increased from month 2 to month 4 followed by a decline from month 5 down. The control showed slight increase in microbial growth. The microbial growth rate increased as the concentration of the poultry droppings increased. Statistical analyses showed a significant difference at (P�?�?��?�??0.05), level between the amended options and control. The total hydrocarbon content of the oil-polluted soil decreased from 6609.83 to 2951.37ml/g. Bacillusspp, Pseudomonas spp, Flavobacterium spp, Fusarium spp and Aspergillus spp were isolated. Alkaline pH condition was observed in the poultry droppings as well as in the amended soils at 50 % and lower at the control. Ecotoxicity assay, measured in terms of germination index was used to evaluate the extent of contaminant removal. Using seeds of Viciafaba, germination index of 95 % was observed in the 50 % amended option only. The study therefore showed that poultry droppings can serve as a good remediation material in the reclamation of a crude oil-polluted lithosphere.
