Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons Levels and Bacterial Load on Soil after Consistent Disposal of Untreated Hairdressing Saloon Effluent in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study estimated polyaromatic hydrocarbons levels and bacterial load on soil after thirty day (30) days consistent disposal of untreated hairdressing saloon effluent in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria using standard methods.  A non-polluted soil sample was also collected which served as the control for this experiment. The total heterotrophic bacteria count was determined.  Toxicity analysis was carried to determine the effect of the effluent on soil bacteria. The soil samples were also was analyzed for the presence of polyaromatic hydrocarbon using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The polyaromaic hydrocarbon (PAHs) detected in the test soil sample were 45.02ng/g Biphenyl, 28.23ng/g Benzo[a]pyrene, 12.05ng/g Anthracene, 23.00ng/g, and  5.07ng/g Phenanthrene. 2.01ng/g of Biphenyl was detected in the control garden soil. Bacteria counts from the contaminated soil range from 1.0 x10² ± 1.10 to 4.0 x 10² ± 0.11.  The counts from the control soil sample range from 2.0 x10³ ± 0.20 to 8.2 x10³ ± 0.20. The control soil sample had a higher value compared to the test soil samples. Bacteria species isolated from these soil samples were: Serretia sp., Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp. Pseudomonas sp. and Staphylococcus sp had increased percentage occurrence. The acute and chronic toxicity test showed a decline in the bacterial count, which could have occurred due to the presence of PAHs from Salon effluent. I was observed a constant release of PAHs into the soil, which poses a serious threat to the survival of soil bacteria, will alter the various beneficial roles these bacteria play in the soil ecosystem.