Evaluation of the Effects of Cadmium in Soil on the LC₅₀of Soil Bacteria and Fungi for Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

Contamination of soil with heavy metals by is currently of global concern. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the metals of concern. In the current study, LC₅₀ of Cd to soil bacteria and fungi was used to assess the impact of anthropogenic
activity in development of Cd tolerance in soil microorganisms. Levels of Bio-physicochemical parameters in soil were determined. Results show that the concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) and Cd in soil ranged between 5.09±0.33 to 9261.94±287.67, and 0.023±0.015 to 0.057±0.012 ppm respectively. There was significant difference (p = 0.001) in LC₅₀ for fungi between the study and control samples. Pearson correlation showed that there was significant relationship (r = 0.30) between LC₅₀ for bacteria and TPH. There was significant difference (p = 0.017) in LC₅₀ values among the study and control samples for fungi. Anthropogenic activities influenced the concentrations of TPH soil but did not influence levels of Cd.