Bioremediation approach using unidentified indigenous microbial consortia in crude oil polluted areas of River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rivers state is one the states in the Niger Delta that is faced with problem of crude oil pollution, causing serious health and environmental hazards. Bioremediation has remained the economical and environmentally beneficial method for lessening the effects of oil contamination. The bioremediation efficiency is dependent on the ability of indigenous microbial consortia in crude oil-polluted soils. This work examined dependability of bioremediation on unclassified indigenous microbial consortia in selected crude oil contaminated sites in Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples of soil were taken from both crude oil contaminated and pristine locations, and were examined for physicochemical characteristics, microbial load, and hydrocarbon degradation capacities using respirometry and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that a variety of both aliphatic and aromatic molecules were degraded by the consortia of indigenous microbial. The results also demonstrated that contaminated soils exhibited a changed physicochemical characteristic as well as higher microbial population densities when compared to the uncontaminated soils. Based on the results, bioremediation employing indigenous microbial consortiums may be a practical way to remediate contamination in the
areas. The findings of the study highlight the significance of understanding the intricate relationships among microbial communities, soil characteristics, and hydrocarbon pollutants. Also, they have implications for the development of efficient bioremediation techniques for regions affected by hydrocarbons.