STM Article Repository

Aims: The aim of the study is to identify the bioremediation potential of Aspergillus clavatus and Pichia spp. of oil spill dispersant on polluted marshland in Kegbara-Dere community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Study Design: The study employs experimental assay and statistical analysis of the data and interpretation.

Place and Duration of Study: Polluted marshland were collected from Kegbara-Dere community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State with sterile spade from three different spot at the same location and put in black polythene bag and transported to the microbiological laboratory within 24 hours for physicochemical and microbiological analyses.

Methodology: Standard microbiological techniques were used to enumerate, isolate and identify the fungi. Aspergillus clavatus and Pichia spp. in contaminated soil samples with oil spill dispersants were observed for bioremediation potential for a period of 1day, 7days, 14days, 21days and 28days respectively.

Results: The results indicate that the total hydrocarbon (THC) content of soil samples at day one was 8006.58 mg/kg but reduces at day 28. Thus THC was: marshland polluted with Seacare (CTRL and CTRL 2b), 2988.49 mg/kg and 3453.95 mg/kg> polluted marshland and Aspergillus clavatus, 2942.11 mg/kg> polluted marshland and Pichia, 2973.68 mg/kg> polluted marshland and consortium, 1473.68 mg/kg. The bioremediation potential of the fungi expressed in percentage was: marshland and Seacare (control), Aspergillus clavatus, Pichia and consortium, 56.86%<64.50%>62.86%<81.59%.

Conclusion: These results show that bioremediation of dispersant pollutants by activation of naturally occurring microorganisms such as Aspergillus clavatus and Pichia spp. will be cost effective in cleaning up the environment.