Study on the Effect of Lead on Bacterial Flora of Soil Sample

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Study on the Effect of Lead on Bacterial Flora of Soil Sample

Uchendu D.O., Ukoha P.U., Amaechi C.C., Anuna N.C., Ugwu M.N., And Eke, L,N.
Department Of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author*

ABSTRACT
The effect of lead on bacteria flora of soil samples were studied. Soil samples collected from Agricultural Technology farm of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, were distributed into five buckets at 1kg each. The total bacteria load of the soil sample were determined before the introduction of different grams of lead, the result of initial bacteria load revealed 6.28 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g using serial dilution method. Different grams of lead were used to pollute the soil samples and allow to stay for three weeks. The microbial load of the samples were determined weekly. The result revealed the first week of pollution with different grams of lead at 20g, 15g, 10g, 5g and control are 1.0 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 1.8 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 4.5 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 5.0 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g and control 5.21 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g and second week had 0.9 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 1.5 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 4.0 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g,4.3 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g and control 5.26 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g and the third week had 0.7 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 1.3 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 3.0 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g, 4.0 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g and control 6.23 ×〖10〗^5cfu/g respectively. The isolates were identified as pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtils, Micrococus letus, Corynebacterium speices and Staphylococcus aureus through morphological characteristics and biochemical tests. The study showed that various bacteria genera were associated with lead polluted soil samples. The growth of bacteria observed showed delayed growth in polluted samples whereas growth was rapid in control sample. The bacteria counts were generally high in the control when compared to those of the polluted sample. This revealed that lead had depressing effect on the growth and activity of soil bacteria,

Key words: lead, flora, serial dilution, depressing genera and polluted

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