CRUDE OIL UTILIZATION AND DEGRADATION POTENTIAL OF MICROBES ISOLATED FROM AGED CRUDE OIL POLLUTED SOIL IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Naturally occurring attenuation process for restoration of crude oil impacted soil is dependent on the crude oil transformation capabilities of indigenous microorganisms that are ubiquitous in the soil. This potential of the microbes can be explored in the design of a emediation strategy to manage crude oil pollution in the soil. In this study, microbes including bacteria and fungi were isolated from an aged crude oil polluted soil and characterized using morphological and biochemical methods. The potential of the microbial isolates to utilize and degrade crude oil was evaluated in liquid medium using turbidity assay and estimation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH). Microbial screening revealed the presence of microbial genera including bacteria and fungi in the aged crude oil polluted soil with ability to utilize and degrade crude oil in liquid medium. The probable identity of the indigenous microorganisms ranked in their increasing capacity to utilize and degrade crude oil was: Enterobacter ˂ E. coli ˂ Micrococcus ˂ Aeromonas ˂ Corynebacterium ˂ Bacillus ˂ Pseudomonas (bacteria) and Fusarium ˂ Penicillium ˂ Aspergillus (Fungi). These microbial isolates especially Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Aspergillus and Penicillium with high oleophilic abilities are effective candidates that can be used as microbial consortium in bioremediation plan for the restoration of the crude oil impacted soil.

Keywords

• bioremediation
• crude oil pollution
• indigenous microorganisms
• microbial potential
• soil attenuation