Abstract

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Polvcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrophobic organic compounds known to he highly toxic and recalcitrant in the environment and are present in hydrocarbon contaminated soil and sediment. This study was investigated to selectively ascertain the prevalence of anthracence utilizing microbes in a chronically polluted site. Samples were collected from crude oil contaminated sites in Obagi Town Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria. Five samples were collected from 3 sites (Obi 27, Obi 22 and Obi 10, all in Obagi Town, Omoku), and designated A, B and C respectively. Soil and sediments samples were collected from sites A and B, while only soil sample was collected from site C. These samples were analyzed for the presence of anthracene utilizing microbes. A total of 12 bacterial species which fall under 7 genera were isolated, characterized and identified from 5 petroleum polluted sample using anthracene as the sole carbon source. The isolates obtained were Acinectobacter, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Flavobacterium, Psendomonas and Staphylococcus. A total of 5 fungal species which fall under 3 genera were also isolated and identified from the 5 petroleum polluted samples using Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol agar. Penicillium sp., Microsporium sp., and Aspergillus sp., were the dominant fungi genera isolated from all the samples using Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol agar. None of the isolated organisms tested positive for catechol- 2, 3 dioxygenase after catechol solution was sprayed on the isolates and incubated for 10 minutes. These findings demonstrate the selective enrichment of anthracene utilizing microbes following crude oil pollution in the environment.

Keywords: Anthracene, Crude oil, Hydrocarbon, Poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Toxic