Physicochemical and Microbiological Studies of Urine Contaminated Soil in Abia State University, Uturu Campus

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical properties and microorganisms in urine contaminated soils in Abia State University, Uturu premises. Twelve samples were collected and analysed using standard techniques. Urine contaminated soils were collected from three different lecture hall areas in the university and uncontaminated soil which served as the control. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts of the urine contaminated soils ranged between 31.0±1.0×104cfu/g to 26.0±1.0×103cfu/g (New Examination hall and Biochemistry laboratory areas respectively). The total coliform counts ranged between 7.0±0.1×104cfu/gto 2.0±1.0×101cfu/g (New Examination hall and Biochemistry laboratory areas respectively) while the total fungal counts recorded 4.0±1.0×103cfu/g to 2.6±0.6×104cfu/g for the New Examination hall and Biochemistry laboratory areas respectively. The bacteria isolated from these soils and their percentage prevalence rates include: Bacillus spp (26.6%), Staphylococcus spp (10.5%), Klebsiella spp (15.7%), Micrococcus spp (15.7%) and Enterobcter spp (5.2%). The fungi isolates include: Penicillium spp (10.5%), Rhizopus spp (10.5%) and Aspergillus spp (5.2%). The physicochemical analysis of the urine contaminated soil samples revealed high concentrations of sulphate, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate, organic matter and moisture content. The pH values of the polluted soil samples were significantly low. The lowered pH values observed indicate an increased soil acidity which has an adverse effect on soil biota. The study has also revealed that soils from public urinals consist of opportunistic microbial species of importance to human and public health.

Bacterial Analysis of Urine Polluted Environments in Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi

“…Soil consists of organic and inorganic matters which determine the soil fertility and the proliferation of various micro flora and air that helps in maintaining the nutritional of the soil. The topsoil is known to have the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganism (Chukwu et al, 2018). Urine is a liquid waste product from the kidney of both animals and humans.…”