Microorganisms in Soil and Groundwater of Epe and Laje Solid Waste Dumpsites in Ondo Town, Nigeria

Abstract

The menace of open dumps is a serious concern in Nigeria because of its associated health hazards.  In this work, microorganisms in soil and groundwater of Epe and Laje dumpsites which are two major dumpsites in Ondo metropolis, Nigeria were investigated using standard techniques. Bacteria isolates were later identified based on their colonial morphology, cellular morphology and their biochemical characteristics while cotton in blue lactophenol technique was used for fungal identification. Epe had higher bacteria counts (cfu/ml) in both top soil (122.0 ×10⁶) and subsoil (72.0 ×10⁶) when compared with bacteria counts in Laje top soil (97.0 ×10⁶) and subsoil (52.0 ×10⁶). Similarly, Epe also had higher fungi counts (sfu/ml) in both top (25.5× 10⁶) and subsoil (11.5× 10⁶), comparably with fungi counts in Laje top soil (17.0×10⁶) and subsoil (9.5×10⁶⁾). Meanwhile, total heterotrophic bacteria counts (cfu/ml) of the ground water samples was higher in Epe (42.0 x10⁶ ) and Laje (27.0x10⁶) in comparison with total heterotrophic fungi count (sfu/ml) in Epe (14.0x10⁶) and Laje groundwater samples (10.5x10⁶). Identified isolates included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus spp (bacteria) and Mucor spp, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium spp (fungi). Remarkably, these isolates are organisms of medical importance, suggesting serious health threats to the residents around the dumpsites.