African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (19), pp. 1824-1826, 2 October 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Effect of gas flaring on soil microbial spectrum in parts of Niger Delta area of southern Nigeria

NWAUGO, V.O.*, ONYEAGBA, R.A., and NWACHUKWU N.C.

Microbiology Department, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Authors E-mail: vonwaugo@yahoo.com

Accepted 21 April, 2005

Effects of gas-flaring on soil bacterial spectrum in parts of Niger-Delta area of Southern Nigeria was investigated using culture techniques and some ecological factors. While temperature decreased away from the flare points (60^oC to 28^oC), pH values, changed from acidic (4.0 – 4.2) to near neutral (6.4 – 6.6) away from the flare point. Moisture content also increased away from the flare. Bacterial load of Total Heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC), Petroleum degrading bacterial count (PDBC) and Total coliform count (TCC) also increased away from the flare points. The most affected by the Gas flaring was the coliforms. Bacterial species were also affected as only three Pseudomonas, and Bacillus species were found 10m away from the flare. The number increased to seven with the addition of E. coli, Enterobater, Flavobacterium and Micrococcus species at 100m away and finally 10, at 200m away with Citrobacter, Staphylococcus and Lactobacillus species. The same trend was observed in all the flaring sites examined. The results indicated adverse ecological and bacterial spectrum modifica-tions by the Gas flaring.

Key words: Gas flaring, soil, bacteria, oil.