On 10 September 2024, the collapse of Alau Dam caused a catastrophic flash flood in Borno State, Nigeria, severely affecting Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area (LGA). The flood resulted in loss of life, injuries, and mass displacement, and raised concerns about waterborne disease from contaminated water sources. This study assessed the microbial quality of water samples collected from five flood-affected locations: Monday Market, Post Office, College of Nursing, Shehuri, and Buduri. Samples were analysed using standard microbiological methods to determine total bacterial count (TBC) and to isolate and identify selected bacterial contaminants. TBC was elevated at all sampling sites, with the highest count recorded at Monday Market (9.3 × 10⁶ CFU/mL). Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio cholerae, and Klebsiella spp. were detected, and contamination levels varied among the five locations. The presence of these organisms, particularly the faecal indicator E. coli, suggests faecal contamination of the floodwater. These findings indicate a significant risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, shigellosis, and salmonellosis in the affected communities. They highlight the need for systematic water-quality monitoring, confirmatory identification of priority pathogens, access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene, and coordinated public health interventions following flooding. Read more

Petroleum pollution of soils is a major environmental problem. Soil microorganisms can decompose a significant fraction of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of crude oil contamination on microbial community structure and Urease activity. This experiment was conducted from 2020 to 2021 at the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, University of Uyo. The experiment was a pot experiment. Garden soil weighing 1.6kg was placed into five different plastic pots and the following quantities of crude oil dispensed into them: 0 (control), 4. 8, 16 and 24 ml representing 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 percent pollution levels. This was repeated in triplicates giving a total of 15 pots and placed in a screen house. Soil samples were collected from each pot on the 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after contamination (WAC). Soil samples were analyzed for bacterial, fungal and population, and urease activity. The results revealed that bacterial cell density decreased by one log order of magnitude from 2.67 x 107 cfu/g to 9.13 x 106 cfu/g soil in week 8. At 0.25 percent population level bacterial cell decreased from 2.38 x 107 in (week 2) to 4.02 x 106 cfu/g soil (week 8). At 0.5 percent pollution level, bacterial cell density decreased from 2.37 x 107 (week 2) to 1.46 x 107 cfu/g soil (week 8). At 1.0 percent pollution level bacterial cell density decreased from 2.30 x 107 (week 2) to 9.56 x 106 cfu/g soil (week 8) and at 1.50 percent pollution level bacterial cell density decreased from 2.21 x 107 (week 2) to 1.22 x 107 cfu/g soil (week 4), and there after rose to 3.16 x 107 (week 6) and then decreased to 8.0 x 106 cfu/g soil (week 8). A total of 16 bacterial genera were identified the most abundance was Bacillus subtilis (23.53%) followed by Micrococcus albus (18.83%), and Bacillus cereus. Unlike bacteria, fungal cells are seen to increase rather than decrease. The unpolluted soils had fungal cells density increased from 1.8 x 106 cfu/g soil (week 2) to 6.3 x 106 cfu/g (week 8). 0.25 percent pollution level had 1.17 x 106 (week 2) to 6.0 x 106 cfu/g soil. At 0.5 percent pollution level fungal cells density increased from 1.10 x 106 cfu/g to 7.03 x 106 cfu/g (week 6), and a slight decrease (6.0 x 106 cfu/g soil) week 8 and in 1.0 percent pollution level it increases from 9.33 x 105 cfu/g to 9.06 x 106 cfu/g. At the 1.5 percent pollution, increased by one log order of magnitude was observed (from 1.13 x 105 (week 2) to 6.03 x 106 cfu/g soil week 8). In this study, 16 fungal genera were identified, the most abundance was candida sp 20% followed by Mucor muccedo, 16.97%, and Penicillium notatium 12.73% Urease activity in all the treatment was not affected significantly. To degrade crude oil pollution in the soil, fungi should be used prominently for better results. Keywords: Crude Oil, Contamination, Microbial Community, Coastal Plain Sands. Read more