Abstract:
The study investigated microbial population dynamics in soils of Greater Port Harcourt Area, Nigeria.
The study involved the quantification of petroleum pollutants and the enumeration and characterization
of culturable fungi and bacteria. Gas Chromatograph FID method was used to quantify total petroleum
hydrocarbons (TPH) in the soil while morphological and biochemical tests were used to characterize
the microorganisms. The highest TPH was 9,759.37±883.36 ppm which exceeded the Department of
Petroleum Resources’ (DPRs’) intervention value of 5,000 ppm. The percentage of hydrocarbon utilizing
fungi (% HUF) ranged between 1.93±0.57 and 66.55±5.60 which were observed in sites A1 (Aluu) and CA
(Agricultural control), respectively. The percentage of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (% HUB) ranged
between 0.12±0.01 and 7.89±1.25 which was observed in sites A3 (Emuoha) and CU (Urban control),
respectively. The most prevalent bacterial species includes Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus lylae,
Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Alcaligen faecalis. The most prevalent HUB isolate was
Bacillus subtilis. The most prevalent fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and
Candida torulopsis. A. niger was the most prevalent among the HUF isolates which was identified in 12
sites. It was concluded that the study sites harboured TPH degrading microorganisms that are
appropriate for bioremediation of TPH polluted sites