Utilising Microflora from Poultry Litter Effluent for Bioremediation of Lead and Nickel Polluted Soil in Maiduguri, Borno State

Musa Saidu Mshelia1*, Ibrahim Shettima Muhammad2, Usman Abdullahi Ibrahim2, and Usman Yuguda3

1Works, Physical Planning and Development Department, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
2Department of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
3Civil Engineering Technology Department, Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic Geidam, Yobe State

*Corresponding author’s Email: msmshelia01@unimaid.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.343332


ABSTRACT

The study investigates the cost-effectiveness and environmental compatibility of using poultry litter effluent to remediate Pb and Ni-polluted soil, focusing on its microbial composition and potential for heavy metal remediation. Various bacterial and fungal species were identified, including pathogenic strains such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Shigella, Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor sp., Candida sp., Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., and Saccharomyces sp.Microbial counts ranged from 5.36×106 to 1.60×108 CFU/ml for bacteria and 1.03×103 to 8.36×104 CFU/ml for fungi. The efficiency of poultry litter effluent in reducing lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) concentrations in soil samples was assessed. After remediation, Sample A showed a minimal decrease in Pb and Ni concentrations, while Samples B and C showed significant reductions. After treatment with poultry litter effluent, Pb and Ni levels decreased significantly (statistically significant at P < 0.05). This shows that Pseudomonas sp., Saccharomyces sp., Bacillus sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., and Candida sp. can bioaccumulate and absorb Pb and Ni. The sample that was treated with 300 ml of poultry litter effluent showed the highest efficacy in Pb removal, achieving a rate of 92%. On the other hand, the sample that was treated with 200 ml of poultry litter effluent showed an 81% decrease in Ni content. The study can serve as a reference for scholars studying bioremediation in polluted soils, as well as a strategic plan for NESREA and other global environmental protection organisations involved in the bioremediation of contaminated soil.

Keywords:

Bioremediation,
Heavy Metals,
Poultry Litter Effluent,
Bacteria,
Soil Pollution