ABSTRACT:The technological developments currently witnessed in the world regarding the utilization of hydrocarbon related products have increasingly brought about all forms of hydrocarbon related environmental pollution. This current review documents the influence of hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms in bringing about biodegradation of spent engine oil and other petroleum related environmental pollution. Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria and fungi when given optimum environmental conditions and nutritional requirements have been documented to bring about effective bioremediation of oil polluted environments. This review has compiled the monumental influence of hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms most especially bacteria and fungi in aiding bioremediation of spent engine oil and other petroleum related environmental pollution. Pseudomonas alcaligenes LR14 (59%), Klebsiella aerogenes CR21 (62%), Klebsiella pneumonia CR23 (58%), Bacillus coagulans CR31 (45%) and Pseudomonas putrefacience CR33 (68%) reportedly exhibited spent engine oil polluted soil degradation rate while Fungi like Aspergillus, Cephalosporium and Pencillium species were also found to be the potential microorganisms responsible for hydrocarbon bioremediation. This current review, equally documents the environmental and nutritional requirements needed by these hydrocarbon oxidizers to accomplish the desired bioremediation process.

The present study was aimed at evaluating the number of bacteria and fungi in the indoor environment of Federal University Dutse Library. The sampling site was located in the University main reading room. Forty (40) air samples were collected in the month of June 2018. Air samples comprising of twenty (20) for bacteria and twenty (20) for fungi were taken twice a day; in the morning and afternoon. All the samples were analyzed for the concentration of bacteria and fungi using plate count method. The average bacterial and fungal counts in the library were found to be 240.10 CFU/m3 and 280.60 CFU/m3 respectively and ranged from 132-345 CFU/m3 for bacteria and 180-416 CFU/m3 for fungi respectively. Having subjected the generated results to statistical analysis (T-test at 95% confidence limit), there was no significant difference between microbial loads recorded for bacteria and fungi (p-value=0.000). However, the mean microbial concentration of the library indoor air was within a range which indicates intermediate level of contamination according to the guidelines established in 1993 by the European Community Commission. It is therefore recommended that the surfaces of the library should be kept clean and dry, as the wet condition in the library can cause growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Again, a follow up study is required with a view to detecting seasonal variations of the indoor microbial counts of the library.