Water from borehole source can be contaminated due to indiscriminate waste disposal. This pilot study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of water from five (5) hand-pump-fitted borehole sources present in Sabon Gari quarters in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State. Presumptive, confirmed and completed tests were employed to determine total and faecal coliforms from the water samples using most probable number (MPN) technique. Bacterial isolates were identified by standard microbiologicalmethods. Results obtained indicate that all the water samples across all the dilution strengths tested recorded substantial growth of total coliforms at 37.3°C while faecal coliforms were observed at 44°C after incubation for 48 h. Using the MPN table, the five water samples assayed recorded 50 MPN/100mL, 14 MPN/100mL, 3 MPN/100mL, 5 MPN/100mL and 1 MPN/100mL. Results were also positive for gas and acid production in all samples collected characteristic of presence of E. coli. The results obtained in this study show bacterial contamination of the water from the boreholes which may constitute a public health risk. It is therefore recommended that the water pumped from these boreholes should be subjected to  adequate treatment to meet World Health Organization (WHO) required  standard for potable water meant for drinking. Keywords: Boreholes, hand pump, most probable number, total coliforms and faecal coliforms.

ABSTRACT:The technological developments currently witnessed in the world regarding the utilization of hydrocarbon related products have increasingly brought about all forms of hydrocarbon related environmental pollution. This current review documents the influence of hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms in bringing about biodegradation of spent engine oil and other petroleum related environmental pollution. Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria and fungi when given optimum environmental conditions and nutritional requirements have been documented to bring about effective bioremediation of oil polluted environments. This review has compiled the monumental influence of hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms most especially bacteria and fungi in aiding bioremediation of spent engine oil and other petroleum related environmental pollution. Pseudomonas alcaligenes LR14 (59%), Klebsiella aerogenes CR21 (62%), Klebsiella pneumonia CR23 (58%), Bacillus coagulans CR31 (45%) and Pseudomonas putrefacience CR33 (68%) reportedly exhibited spent engine oil polluted soil degradation rate while Fungi like Aspergillus, Cephalosporium and Pencillium species were also found to be the potential microorganisms responsible for hydrocarbon bioremediation. This current review, equally documents the environmental and nutritional requirements needed by these hydrocarbon oxidizers to accomplish the desired bioremediation process.

The biostimulatory effect of selected organic wastes on bacterial biodegradation of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) in three agricultural soils in Bauchi state, Nigeria, was carried out. The soil physicochemical characteristics were investigated to further understand the environmental conditions of the sampling sites. Enrichment technique was used to isolate the atrazine-degrading strains. Mineralization studies were carried out to determine atrazine biodegradation potentials of strains. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of total nucleic acid of strains revealed several bacterial species based on nucleotide sequence analyses. Biostimulatory effect of selected organic wastes carried out showed minimal to average extent of biodegradation. The highest mean values, in CFU/mL, increase in biomass was recorded in Pseudomonas sp for both Cow dung 16.76 (42.03%) and Chicken droppings 12.32 (38.46%). However, biostimulatory effect using consortia provided more promising results, with 41.51% and 42.08% in Cow dung and Chicken droppings, biomass increase, respectively, in studies conducted. This proves that competition, survival of inoculums, bioavailability of organic amendments and nature of chemical are important factors affecting bioremediation.

The poor geology of Sangayan Diriya village has barred residents from getting access to water from the groundwater in their homes from time immemorial. This study was aimed at assessing the quality of boreholes sunk in close proximity to River Diriya wherein eight water samples were aseptically collected from the two available boreholes; borehole A (BA1, BA2, BA3 and BA4) and borehole B (BB1, BB2, BB3 and BB4). Standard procedures were employed for determining physicochemical properties, while pour plate method and most probable number (MPN) were used to estimate total viable bacterial counts and coliform count in the water collected, respectively. Results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) permissible standards. Results indicated pH, temperature, total hardness, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), sulphate, nitrate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nitrate conformed to regulated standards, but mean phosphate concentration (1.79 mg/L) was above WHO allowable limit. However, out of the six heavy metals estimated in the water samples, i.e., Cadmium, Iron, Copper, Arsenic, Lead and Chromium, mean Iron concentration (1.16 mg/L) and mean Arsenic concentration (0.37 mg/L) were above allowable limits. The highest total viable bacterial count (6.3 × 104 CFU/mL) was recorded in BA2. Using the MPN method, BA4 recorded the highest coliform count (14 MPN/100 mL) while BB2 recorded the lowest coliform count (7 MPN/100 mL) each above WHO allowable limit. The findings in this study indicated that the water samples did not meet regulated standards and should be subjected to suitable treatment before drinking.

Potable water serves as an important source for primary prevention of diseases and the foundation for the prevention and control of water borne diseases. This study was conducted to determine the bacteriological quality of ten (10) brands of sachet water commonly consumed in Dutse urban, Jigawa state, Nigeria using Membrane Filtration Technique method for enumeration of both total coliform and fecal coliform counts. Eosin methylene blue, Salmonella Shigella and plate count media as well as membrane filters with 0.45µm pore size were used. Total bacterial counts for all the water samples were not within the recommended limits by regulatory bodies; Environmental Protection Agency, World Health Organization, and National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control. Results revealed that the sampled sachet water was contaminated with Klebsiella aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella paratyphi A, Shigella flexneri, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus pyogenes. However, Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin revealed 100% potency against all the seven bacterial isolates while Augmentin have no effect (0%) on any of the bacterial isolates. Appropriate treatment processes should be utilized for the production of packaged water meant for human consumption. Again, drinking water regulatory bodies should be proactive in monitoring the adherence of drinking water manufacturers to regulated processing standards. Keywords:   Sachet water; bacterial isolates; total coliform; faecal coliform; membrane filtration technique

The advent of bioremediation technology has helped scientists to proffer sustainable solutions to problems associated with environmental pollution. This study was staged to assess the growth of Amaranthus cruentus L. on spent engine oil (SEO) contaminated soil that had been subjected to bioremediation. Two bacterial cocultures; Pseudomonas aeruginosa+Alcaligenes faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes + Enterococcus faecalis were bio-enhanced with organic amendments; powdered cow dung (PCD), powdered cocoa pod husk (PCPH) and compost made from cow dung (CD) and cocoa pod husk (CPH) with a view to reclaiming SEO soil at three levels of contamination. It was a factorial experiment laid out with completely randomized design (CRD). Subsequently, amaranth seeds were sown on the experimental pots in the screen house. Results indicated that at two weeks after sowing (2WAS), compost produced significant (P < 0.05) and the highest plant heights (6.5, 7.5 and 6.1 cm) on all the SEO contamination levels studied compared with other organic amendments. Compost produced the highest (6.0) number of leaves compared with other organic amendments on 10% SEO contamination level while all the other organic amendments produced the same number of leaves (4.0) on 15% SEO contamination level. In respect of the stem girths measured in this study, significant performance was recorded at 2WAS, four weeks after sowing (4WAS) and six weeks after sowing (6WAS) (P < 0.05). The significant feat that the bioremediation agents utilized in this study recorded has further confirmed these agents as good candidates that can be adopted in ensuring the reclamation and restoration of SEO ravaged agricultural land.

This study assessed the heavy metal decontamination potential of bio-enhanced Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis co-culture in used lubricating oil-contaminated soil. The bacterial co-culture was isolated from the soil obtained from Dutse mechanic village, Nigeria. One thousand five hundred(1500) g of sterilized soil was intentionally contaminated with used lubricating oil at three levels. The sterilized soil was biostimulated with processed compost, powdered cocoa pod husk (PCPH), and powdered cattle dung (PCD). Afterward, the mixtures were bio-augmented with the bacterial co-culture (150 mL). The concentrations of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb) in the used lubricating oil contaminated soil were determined at the commencement, fifth and tenth week of the study. A factorial experiment which was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) was adopted. Results generated from the As decontamination potential of Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis co-culture indicated that all the organic amendments significantly (p<0.05) enhanced its decontamination. At the fifth week, PCPH only enhanced the most Cd decontaminations (0.01020 mg kg-1, 0.00220 mg kg-1 and 0.00150 mg kg-1) compared with other organic amendments on 5%, 10% and 15% used lubricating oil contamination levels, respectively. At the tenth week, PCD only enhanced complete removal of Cd on all used lubricating oil contamination levels compared with compost and PCPH only, which attained complete removal of Cd on 5% and 15% of used lubricating oil contamination levels, respectively. The heavy metal decontamination potential of bio-enhanced Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis co-culture witnessed in this study indicates its suitability in effecting bioremediation of heavy metal impacted environments.

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