ABSTRACT
Isolation and molecular characterization of hydrocarbon degrading
bacteria from Okulu river in Eleme Local Government area, Rivers state were studied.
Wastewater samples were randomly collected at four different points in the
river using a 2 litre plastic hydrobios water sampler and aseptically
transferred into sterile 2-litre plastic containers. Standard methods were
adopted for the determination of microbiological and physico-chemical
characteristics. The identification of bacteria isolates were carried out using
both morphological and biochemical characteristics. Also isolates were
molecularly characterized. The abilities of the bacterial isolates to degrade
total petroleum hydrocarbon were determined using Gas chromatographic method.
The total heterotrophic bacteria count in Okulu River ranged from 1.8×106
- 2.2×107 cfu/ ml.
Hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria count recorded ranged from 1.0×103 –
4.2×104 cfu/ ml. The predominant bacterial genera identified were Bacillus, Micrococcus, Escherichia,
Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Streptococcus,
Pectobacterium, Bevibacillus, Serratia and Providencia species. The pH
values in Okulu water samples ranged from 6.11 - 6.65, with mean value of
6.35±01.8. The temperature values ranged from 28.3 - 32.7 oC, with
mean value of 31.04±1.72 oC. The turbidity ranged from 17.7 - 112
NTU, with mean value of 54.69±31.55 NTU. Values for total dissolved solids
ranged from 22.1 - 58.9 mg/l, with mean value of 44.08 mg/l±12.63. Total
suspended solids ranged from 6.01 – 8.77 mg/l, with mean value of
6.98mg/l±1.18. Biological oxygen demand ranged from 20.25 - 46.50 mg/l, with
mean value of 32.85±10.62 mg/l. The chemical oxygen demand showed ranges of
29.37 - 66.52 mg/l, with mean value of 50.84±14.89 mg/l. Dissolved oxygen
ranged from 2.28 - 4.37 mg/l, with mean value of 3.19 ±0.70 mg/l. Salinity
ranged from 15.0 - 22.5 mg/l, with mean value of 18.23 ±2.65 mg/l. Conductivity
values had range of 3.53 - 3.88 µS/cm, with mean value of 3.71±0.09 µS/cm.
Nitrate values ranged from 2.18 - 4.21 mg/l, with mean value of 3.02±0.66 mg/l.
Values of phosphate ranged from 2.58 - 4.11 mg/l, with mean value of 3.47
±0.47mg/l. Total organic carbon had range of 1.12 - 2.70 %, with mean value of
1.92±0.55 %. Total hydrocarbon content
values ranged from 13.27 - 17.70 mg/l, with mean value of 15.52 ±1.87 mg/l. For
the heavy metals, lead values in the samples ranged from 2.0107 - 2.0857 mg/l,
with mean value of 2.03553±0.02 mg/l. Values of cadmium ranged from 0.1639 -
0.3157 mg/l, with mean value of 0.233508±1.72 mg/l. Arsenic values in Okulu
water samples ranged from 0.0154 - 0.0381 mg/l, with mean value of 0.0345±1.72
mg/l. The obtained 16S rRNA sequence of the bacteria produced close relatedness
to their relatives from the NCBI data base. Based on their 16S rRNA sequence,
the bacteria were identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Alcaligenes
faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae,
Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Lysinibacillus macroides. The
bioremediation potential of the bacteria isolates gave positive results singularly
and in combination in terms of degradation of hydrocarbon content of the water
sample. These bacteria isolated from Okulu River can be used for the
remediation of polluted environment. In view of the results obtained, the test
bacterial species can be applied in the remediation of polluted environment
especially hydrocarbon-polluted environment
CHIKEZIE-ABBA, C (2023). Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria From Okulu River In Eleme Local Government Area Rivers State. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Oct 12, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/isolation-and-molecular-characterization-of-hydrocarbon-degrading-bacteria-from-okulu-river-in-eleme-local-government-area-rivers-state-7-2
CHIKEZIE-ABBA, CHIKEZIE-ABBA. "Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria From Okulu River In Eleme Local Government Area Rivers State" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 08 May. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/isolation-and-molecular-characterization-of-hydrocarbon-degrading-bacteria-from-okulu-river-in-eleme-local-government-area-rivers-state-7-2. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
CHIKEZIE-ABBA, CHIKEZIE-ABBA. "Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria From Okulu River In Eleme Local Government Area Rivers State". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 08 May. 2023. Web. 12 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/isolation-and-molecular-characterization-of-hydrocarbon-degrading-bacteria-from-okulu-river-in-eleme-local-government-area-rivers-state-7-2 >.
CHIKEZIE-ABBA, CHIKEZIE-ABBA. "Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria From Okulu River In Eleme Local Government Area Rivers State" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 12 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/isolation-and-molecular-characterization-of-hydrocarbon-degrading-bacteria-from-okulu-river-in-eleme-local-government-area-rivers-state-7-2