2023, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part B
Pigeon droppings as compositing amendment for enhancement of the biostimulation of soil artificially polluted with diesel oil
Author(s): Williams Janet Olufunmilayo and Ambrose Favour C
Abstract: Aim: To assess the potential of pigeon droppings as composting amendment for enhancement of the biostimulation of soil artificially polluted with diesel oil.Study design: This study focused on soil artificially polluted with diesel oil and use of pigeon droppings as amendment to bio remediate the polluted soil. Statistical analysis of data and interpretation was carried out.Place and Duration of Study: Soil was obtained from an agricultural farmland in the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, diesel oil (DO) from Royal Dynasty Filling Station at Ada George Road and Pigeon droppings (PD) were collected into a sterile polythene bag from Mile III Market, Port Harcourt, Nigeria in September, 2022. Methodology: Surface soil samples used were collected using hand auger between the depths of 0-15cm at different points and mixed thoroughly to form a composite sample. The pigeon droppings were sun dried for 14 days, ground into fine powder and stored in a sterile polythene bag. Treatment of soil samples with pollutant was done whereby 1.5 kg of soil was weighed separately and placed in seven sterile containers and diesel oil was added to the soil in the containers at various concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80ml) and then mixed thoroughly. (UPS, Soil + 20% DO, Soil + 40% DO, Soil + 80% DO, Soil + 20% DO + PD, Soil + 40% DO + PD, Soil + 80% DO + PD). The polluted and unpolluted soil samples were kept under natural environmental conditions for 14 days before the application of pigeon droppings. During this period, the soil samples were watered within the interval of two days. After 14 days of pollution treatment, pigeon droppings were weighed and added to the soils in the labeled plastic containers. Three (3) grams each of the pigeon droppings was added to the soil with label (Soil + 20% DO + PD, Soil + 40% DO + PD, Soil + 80% DO + PD) while those with the label, Soil + 20% DO, Soil + 40% DO, Soil + 80% DO were used as control for the amendments. Each set was mixed thoroughly with wooden spatulas to obtain homogenized mixtures and enhance aeration. Standard microbiological techniques were used to determine the microbial population. The physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard methodsResults: The microbiological analysis of the soil revealed that the mean count of the total heterotrophic bacteria in soil polluted with diesel oil and amended with pigeon droppings ranged between 1.6 x 108 and 1.8 x 108cfu/g. These counts were higher than the counts of the unamended soil which ranged from 4.0 x 107 to 1.1 x 108 cfu/g. The mean counts of the diesel utilizing bacteria ranged between 1.2 x 105 and 1.6 x 105 cfu/g. The mean microbial count of fungi in soil polluted with diesel oil and amended with pigeon dropping ranged between 5.4 x 104 and 1.2 x 105 cfu/g. The diesel utilizing fungi count ranged from 3.3 x104 to 7.8 x 104 cfu/g. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences among the treatments. The diesel utilizing bacteria identified in soil amended with pigeon droppings were species of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Micrococcus and Serratia. The diesel utilizing fungi species identified were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Geotrichum, Fusarium and Rhodotorula. The physiochemical properties of the soil sample before and after contamination with diesel oil were analyzed. Some physiochemical properties such as nitrogen, phosphate, pH and temperature enhanced the growth of these organisms in the polluted environment. The use of pigeon droppings as amendment raised the nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the soil. Soil polluted with diesel oil and amended with pigeon dropping had higher amount of organic carbon than the unamended soil. Conclusion: The result of this research work showed that pigeon droppings act as good stimulants for enhancing diesel oil biodegradation in the soil, therefore, could be used in remediating diesel oil polluted soil.
Pages: 112-121 | Views: 241 | Downloads: 80
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How to cite this article:
Williams Janet Olufunmilayo, Ambrose Favour C. Pigeon droppings as compositing amendment for enhancement of the biostimulation of soil artificially polluted with diesel oil. J Adv Microbiol Res 2023;4(2):112-121.
