
	Journal of Biological Sciences
	Year: 2005 \| Volume: 5 \| Issue: 6 \| Page No.: 703-706 DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2005.703.706

Trace Metal Content in Relation to Population of Microorganisms in Soils along Some Highways in Nigeria’s Guinea Savanna

M.C. Anongo , S.P. Bako and A.U. Ezealor

Abstract: Soil samples from three different locations in the Nigerian Guinea Savanna were analyzed in a study of the relationship between soil trace metal levels and soil microbes with respect to distance from the roadside and season. The three different sites were selected based on their vehicular traffic density. Soil microbes were analyzed by pathological techniques while trace metal levels (Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Co, Br and Ni) were analyzed using the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Populations of soil microbes increased with increasing distance from the roadway, while metal contents decreased with increasing distance from the roadway for both dry and wet seasons. The soil microbes and trace metal content were higher for the wet season than for the dry season. Interactions between soil microbe populations and trace metal contents were statistically highly significant (p=0.05 and p=0.01) for season, location and interaction of distance, season and location. The mean increase of soil microbes between the dry and wet season were also highly significant. Five species of fungi were identified. Aspergillus sp., Monilia sp., Penicillium sp., Helminthosporium sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. while the bacteria were mainly Bacillus sp. These species responded to the presence of trace metals in the soil and may thus serve as microbial indicator species for metal pollution levels in the Nigerian Savanna.

PDF References Citation Report Citation

How to cite this article:

M.C. Anongo , S.P. Bako and A.U. Ezealor , 2005. Trace Metal Content in Relation to Population of Microorganisms in Soils along Some Highways in Nigeria’s Guinea Savanna. Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 703-706.

DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2005.703.706

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2005.703.706

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		AGRICOLA
		AGRIS
		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Cambridge Scientific Abstract
		EMBASE
		Google Scholar
		SCIMAGO

Science Alert