Impact of Solid Waste Disposal on the Bacteriological Quality of Soil Around Hostels of a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The production of waste has increased to such an extent that it generates hurdles in the daily lives of today, and as well serves as a medium for the transmission of disease causing microbial population. This study was aimed at assessing the Impact of Solid Waste Disposal on the Bacteriological Quality of Soil around Hostels of a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Soil samples from two different layers (0 - 30cm and 30 - 60cm) from waste contaminated sites and control sites (100 meters away from the dumpsites) were collected and analysed using standard bacteriological procedures. Statistical analysis was carried out using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The result of the Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) showed the highest value of 11.05±5.16 x 107cfu/g was obtained from the contaminated topsoil sample, while the least value of 3.6±0.14 x 107cfu/g was obtained from the control subsoil. Similar pattern was recorded for the other bacterial groups. The results for the Total Coliform Count (TCC) indicated that the individual samples’ values varied between 1.0 x 105cfu/g (for Control Subsoil 2) and 5.8 x 105cfu/g (for Contaminated Topsoil 1), while for the Fecal Coliform Count (FCC) showed that the individual samples’ values varied between 1.2 x 104cfu/g (for Control Subsoil 2) and 14.9 x 104cfu/g (for Contaminated Topsoil 2). A total of 50 isolates were obtained and characterized belonging to six genera, and their prevalence showed Bacillus and Staphylococcus species were the most occurring with a frequency of 100%, followed by Shigella spp. (50%), Salmonella spp. (33.3%), Pseudomonas spp. (16.7%) and Klebsiella species (16.7%). The study therefore, showed notable bacteriological implications, thereby necessitating the need for proper design plan for constructing and allocating waste disposal sites and placing them away from sensitive areas like halls of residence.