EN
The bacteriological evaluation of hydrocarbon polluted soil in Obitti oil field in Ohaji Egbema was investigated to ascertain the presence of bacterial community in crude oil-polluted soil. Ohaji Egbema has experienced crude oil pollution in recent times due to the presence of crude oil exploration facilities including the Obitti oil field. Soil samples were collected from four (4) different points within the oil field with varying degree of crude oil pollution along with their corresponding control samples (unpolluted soil). The total culturable heterotrophic bacteria (TCHB), total culturable hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (TCHUB), pH and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations were monitored using standard procedures. The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 0.45±2.0x105 Cfu/g to 2.12±2.6x105 Cfu/g while total culturable hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial count ranged from 0.56±2.1x104 Cfu/g to 1.35±2.6x103 Cfu/g. pH ranged from 0.11±4.0 to 1.10±5.0 for the polluted soil samples while a range of 0.10±5.7 to 1.00±7.2 was recorded for the control samples. The TPH analysis revealed a high concentration of 9.51±5747.13 mg/kg to 3.45±7214.82 mg/kg for polluted soil samples which is above the DPR intervention limit of 5000 mg/kg for soils while the control samples recorded a range of 5.41±3118.29 mg/kg to 8.21±4285.02 mg/kg. This study has therefore revealed the ability of indigenous bacterial population to strive despite crude oil pollution and as such these hydrocarbon impacted sites can be harnessed for the isolation of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria which can serve as a bio-resource for the effective bioremediation of hydrocarbon impacted environment.