Abstract

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The use of fish pond sludge in bioremediation of mechanic workshop polluted soil was studied for a period of eight weeks. Soil samples were collected from mechanic village along Mayo Dasa in Jalingo, and transported to Biological Science laboratory Taraba State University, Jalingo. Fifteen kilogram (15 Kg) of the mechanic workshop soil was weighed into four different plastic perforated bowls labeled as A1, A2, B1 and B2. Fresh fish pond waste water was collected from a fish farm into three 20 litres plastic containers. The waste was poured through a muslin cloth and the residue collected and air dried at 280C for a week. The sludge was incorporated into A1 and A2 (FPS) while B1 and B2 were without fish pond sludge (PS). Two additional bowls labeled C1 and C2 (UPS) were filled with pristine soil obtained from soil opposite the mechanic workshop. Bacteriological analysis was carried by spread plate inoculation on Nutrient agar (NA) and the isolates that grew were subjected to microscopy, morphology and biochemical tests. pH, organic carbon, organic matter content, nitrate and phosphate of FPS, PS and UPS were determined bi-weekly to assess the effectiveness of the remediation process. The results showed higher bacterial population in FPS compared to PS and UPS all through the study. The bacterial count ranged from 1.1x104 to 4.5x104 cfu/g in UPS, 2.3 x104 cfu/g to 8.0 x 104 cfu/g in PS and 1.8x104 cfu/g - 9.8x104 cfu/g in FPS. There were significant differences in the bacterial counts at 0.05 probability limits. The organisms isolated and identified from the soil samples were genus of Bacillus spp, Micrococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp, and Staphylococcus spp. pH ranged from 6.20 ± 0.17 - 6.41 ± 0.12. Higher concentrations of organic carbon, organic matter content, nitrate and phosphate were observed in PS compared to UPS and FPS. There were no significant differences in pH, nitrate, phosphate and moisture content at 95% probability limits while significant differences were observed in organic carbon and organic matter content. This study demonstrates the potential of fish pond sludge in bioremediation of mechanic workshop polluted soil.

Keywords: Bioremediation, fish pond, sludge, mechanic workshop soil