Microbiological Analysis of Dumpsites in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

Open dumpsite system is practiced in Bwari as in most cities in Nigeria. Decomposing wastes, soil samples and aerial samples were taken from the two major dumpsites in Bwari; Bwari Complex Dumpsite and Bwari Area Council Dumpsite (referred to dumpsites 1 and 2 respectively in this article). Sabouraud Dextrose, MacConkey and Nutrient agar plates in triplicates were exposed at a height of 2 M around the environment of the dumpsites. Control aerial samples were taken about 2 Km away from the dumpsites. Decomposing wastes and soil samples were collected from the dumpsites on ten consecutive days from different points of the dumpsites. These samples were cultured and incubated into nutrient agar and. Potato dextrose agar plates respectively using standard methods. The mean total bacterial count of the decomposing wastes and soil samples from the two dumpsites (1 and 2) were 7.4 x 106, 10.1 x 106 cfu/ml respectively and 5.5 x 105, 6.9 x 105 cfu/ml respectively. The mean total fungal count from the decomposing wastes and soil samples from the two dumpsites (1 and 2) were 4.2 x102 cfu/ml, 6.1 x102 cfu/ml respectively and 4.6 x102 cfu/ml, 4.8 x102 cfu/ml respectively. The mean total fungal count isolated from the aerial samples was 0.2x101 cfuml and 0.3 x101 cfu/ml respectively. No bacterial growth occurred on the aerial plates, and no microbe was isolated from the control aerial samples. Visual examination, Gram stain, and. biochemical tests were used to identify the organisms. Results obtained were compared with standard references of Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 2nd edition. To identify the fungal isolates, Lactophenol cotton blue test was done on the isolates and viewed under the microscope. The morphology was compared with Standard fungal manuals. Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas spp, and Klebsiella spp, were isolated both from the decomposing wastes and soil samples. Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia coli and Citrobacter spp were isolated only from the decomposing wastes, Bacillus spp was isolated only from the soil samples. Mucor spp, and Aspergillus niger were isolated from both the decomposing wastes, soil and aerial samples. Fusarium spp and Rhizopus spp were isolated only from the decomposing wastes and soil samples. Management of solid waste reduces or eliminates adverse impacts on the environment, and human health, it supports economic development and improved quality of life.