Mycoflora of Crude Oil Polluted Soils of Ukwa West of Abia State Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Bioremediation of soil play a critical role in removing pollutants from crude oil polluted soil. To investigate the mycoflora of crude oil polluted area of Ukwa West Local Government in the present Abia State. Methodology: Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were plated out separately on Yeast Starch Agar, Starch Agar, and Cellulose Agar using soil plate methods. The culture plates were examined after 5-7 and 14 days for the presence of fungi. Pure cultures of the isolates were obtained by subculturing and the physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were determined using standard methods. Results: Twenty species (20) of fungi were isolated from the crude oil polluted soil sample and represented by their respective genera. Eight (8) species of Aspergillus representing 40%, two (2) species of Thermomyces representing 10% each, and one (1) species of Penicillium, Cladosporium, Cunninghamella, Curvularia, Trichoderma, Scopulariopsis, Sporotrichum and Basipetospora representing 5% each. Aspergillus species were predominant which include among others A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. parasiticus, A. oryzae, A. terreus. The physico-chemical properties of the soil sample were found to be varied and have affected the distribution and population of fungi. The pH values ranged from 4.81- 5.58 as compared to the control ranging from 5.72- 6.50 for soil samples A, B and C. The moisture content values ranged between 26.46-29.59% as compared to the control ranging from 29.41-32.51%. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content with values of 70.3-82.7% as compared to the control which was 94% for each of the locations. Conclusion: Crude oil polluted soils of Ukwa West of Abia State, Nigeria is rich in fungal biodiversity with the soil’s samples having different physico-chemical properties.