Evaluation of the physico-chemical state of the soil contaminant isolate indigenous bacterial species

The aim of the study is to isolate indigenous bacterial species which have the ability to degrade crude oil. Samples were collected from an oil polluted site in Ejama-Ebubu Eleme Rivers state. The samples were taken from five spot (A-E), of depth 0-15 (A1– E1) and 15-30 (A2– E2) in sterile polyethylene bags, using appropriate equipment, then taken to the laboratory for analysis, Physicochemical parameters such as pH, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), salinity, temperature, conductivity and heavy metals (iron, zinc, nikel, lead, chromium) were determined, The THB count was determined using the spread plate method on nutrient agar. Soil, sediment and water physicochemical parameters determined indicated that the samples had been exposed to hydrocarbon contamination. The Gram negative bacteria belonging to the genus pseudomonas is the most frequent. Other genera isolated were Nocardia, Micrococcus,Chromobacterium, Burkholdia, Corynebacterium. The study revealed the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Ejama_Ebubu site as well as known genera of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. The biases associated with culture-dependent microbial enumeration techniques may limit the full description of the bacterial diversity in Ejama-Ebubu site. From the study, it is concluded that microorganisms that can degrade hydrocarbons are found in oil contaminated soil and can easily be isolated from these contaminated sites, although it is very difficult to work with aromatic hydrocarbons due to their volatility and toxic effects.