Microbiological and Physicochemical Studies of Wetland Soils in Eket, Nigeria
The microbiological and physicochemical
characteristics of wetland soils in Eket Local Government Area were
studied between May 2001 and June 2003. Total heterotrophic
bacterial counts (THBC), total fungal counts (TFC), and total
actinomycetes counts (TAC) were determined from soil samples
taken from four locations at two depths in the wet and dry seasons.
Microbial isolates were characterized and identified. Particle size and
chemical parameters were also determined using standard methods.
THBC ranged from 5.2 (+0.17) x106 to 1.7 (+0.18) x107 cfu/g and
from 2.4 (+0.02) x106 to 1.4 (+0.04) x107cfu/g in the wet and dry
seasons, respectively. TFC ranged from 1.8 (+0.03) x106 to 6.6 (+
0.18) x106 cfu/g and from 1.0 (+0.04) x106 to 4.2 (+ 0.01) x106 cfu/g
in the wet and dry seasons, respectively .TAC ranged from 1.2
(+0.53) x106 to 6.0 (+0.05) x106 cfu/g and from 0.6 (+0.01) x106 to
3.2 (+ 0.12) x106 cfu/g in the wet and dry season, respectively.
Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckja,
Enterobacter, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium, Serratia, Enterococcus,
and Pseudomonas species were predominant bacteria while
Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, and Rhizopus were the
dominant fungal genera isolated. Streptomyces and Norcadia were
the actinomycetes genera isolated. The particle size analysis showed
high sand fraction but low silt and clay. The pH and % organic
matter were generally acidic and low, respectively at all locations.
Calcium dominated the exchangeable bases with low electrical
conductivity and micronutrients. These results provide the baseline
data of Eket wetland soils for its management for sustainable
agriculture.
[1] A.W.A.Edwards. "Wetlands in southern Nigeria" in
Nigerian¬¬¬_Wetlands: T. V.Akpata and D. U. U.Okoli, Eds.Ibadan:
Emmi Press Samanda, 1990,Pp. 27-34.
[2] B.Gopal;R.E. Turner;R.G. Wetzer and D.F. Whigham. Eds .Wetlands:
Ecology and Management. India: National Institute of Ecology and
International Scientific Publications, 1982, Pp. 514.
[3] E.T.Eshiett. "Physicochemical, morphological and mineralogical
characteristics of selected humid region profiles in Southeastern
Nigeria" in proceedings of the Eighth International Soil Correlation
Meeting on Characterization, Classification and Utilization of Wet soils.
J.M. Kimble, Ed. USA: Soil Conservation Service, 1992, Pp. 100 - 105.
[4] E.T.Eshiett. The wetlands of Nigeria: distribution, characterization and
traditional land use practice. Proceeding of the 21st Annual Conference
of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom
State. 30th Jan -4th Feb. 1994 Pp. 1-19
[5] E.T.Eshiet, J.A.I.Omueti and A.S.R. Juo . Characterization of wetland
soils supporting rice production in South Eastern Nigeria. Thailand
Journal of Agricultural Science Vol.2, Pp. 35-50, 1988.
[6] S.W.Peters Ed. "Akwa Ibom State; Physical Background, Soils, Land
Use and Ecological Problems" in Technical Report on Soil and Land
Survey. 1989, Pp. 60-120.
[7] J.M.Anderson, and J.S.I. Ingram, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility: A
handbook of Methods. 2nd edition .United Kingdom: C. A. B.
International, 1993, Pp. 47 - 49.
[8] O.H.Collins and F.M. Lyne. Microbiological Methods .Great Britain:
Butterworth and Company Limited, 1976.
[9] E.F.Harrigan and M.E. McCance .¬Laboratory Methods in Food and
Dairy Microbiology. London: Academic Press, 1976.
[10] A.L.Demain and J.E. Davies (eds). Manual of Industrial Microbiology
and Biotechnology 2nd edition.Washington DC: American Society for
Microbiology Press, 1999.
[11] O.U.Eka and N.M. Fogathy. Descriptive studies on a Streptomyces
Species part 1. Description and some properties of the microorganisms.
West African Journal of Biological and Applied Chemistry Vol. 3, no.5,
Pp. 11 - 17, 1972.
[12] R.Cruickshank, J.P. Duguid, R.P. Mamion, and R.H.A. Swain. Medical
Microbiology. Vol II, London: Churchill, Livngstone, 1976.
[13] J.G.Holt; N.R. Kieg; P.H.A. Sneath, J.T. Staley and S.T. Williams.
Bergey-s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 9thedition, Baltimore,
USA: Williams and Wilkins Publishers, 1994.
[14] K.H.Domsch,H.Gams and T.H. Anderson. Compendium of Soil Fungi
London: Academy Press, 1980.
[15] H.L. Barnet and B.B. Hunter, Ilustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi .4th
Edition USA: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987.
[16] G.J.Bouyoucous. Improved hydrometer method for making particle size
analysis of soils.Agronomy Journal Vol. 54, Pp464-465, 1962.
[17] E.J.Udo and J.A. Ogunwale. Laboratory Manual for the Analysis of Soil,
Plant and Water Samples. 2nd edition. Ibadan: University Press, 1986.
[18] M.L.Jackson. Soil Chemical Analysis .Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:
Prenctice Hall Inc. 1962, Pp. 110-112.
[19] Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Methods of
Analysis. 12th edition. Washington DC: AOAC, 1990.
[20] R.H.Bray and L.T. Jurtz . Determination of total organic and available
forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science Vol. 59 ,Pp 39-54, 1945.
[21] J.Murphy and J.P. Rile. Trace metal speciation analytical Methods and
Problems in Analytical Chemistry, Act 227, Pp. 31-36, 1962.
[22] A.Walkley and I.A. Black. An examination of the Degtjereff Method for
determining Soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the
chromic and titration method. Soil Science Vol.37, Pp.29-38, 1934.
[23] R.R.Sokal and F.J. Rolf. Biometry: The Principle and Practice of
Statistics in Biological Research. 2nd edition. New York. USA: W. H.
Freeman Company,1981.
[24] I.R.Udotong and O.J. Akpanekon (a). "Microbiological and
Physicochemical studies of wetland soils in Itu, Nigeria". Nigerian
Journal of Microbiology, to be published.
[25] I.R.Udotong and O.J. Akpanekon (b). "Microbiological and
Physicochemical studies of inland wetland soils in Ikot Ekpene,
Nigeria". Nigerian Journal of Microbiology., to be published.
[26] RPI. Environmental Baseline Studies for the establishment of control
Criteria And Standards Against Petroleum-related Pollution in Nigeria.
Final Report Submitted to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC), Lagos.1985
[27] N.C.Brady. The Nature and Properties of soils. New York: Macmillan
Publishing Company, 1984, Pp. 10 - 593.
[28] E.Moore - Landecker. Fundamentals of the Fungi .3rd edition, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc., 1990.
[29] S. Higashida and K. Takao. Seasonal fluctuation patterns of microbial
numbers in the surface soil of a grassland. Soil Science and Plant
Nutrition, Vol.31,Pp. 113-121,1985.
[30] M.Alexander, Introduction to Soil Microbiology .2nd edition. New
Delhi: Wiley Eastem Limited, 1985, Pp.3 - 102.
[31] R.M.Atlas and R. Bartha. Microbial Ecology: Fundamentals and
Applications. 4th edition, CA: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing
Company, 1998, Pp. 511 - 602.
[32] K.H.Nelson and C.R. Myers. Microbial Reduction of manganese and
Iron: New approaches to carbon cycling. Applied and Environment
Microbiology Vol.58, Pp.439-443, 1992.
[33] D.J. Hardman,M . Sharron and E.Stephen. Pollution: Ecology and
biotreatment. New York: John Wiley and sons Inc. 1993, Pp.97-117.
[34] A.Brewer. The science of ecology. 2nd Edition, Philadelphia:Saunders
Publishers,1994, Pp.589-598.
[35] J.Hassink. Effect of soil texture and structure on carbon and nitrogen
mineralization in grassland soils". Biology and Fertility of Soils
Vol.14,Pp.126-134, 1992
[36] J.R.Landon.Ed. Booker Tropical Soil Manual: A Handbook_for Soil
Survey and Agricultural Land Evaluation in the Tropics and Sub-tropics.
England:Booker Agriculture International Limited. 1994, Pp. 113-
157.1994.
[37] N.O.Isirimah. Mineralogy, chemistry and fertility of Nigerian coastal
soils. A paper presented at the 21st Annual Conference of Soil Science
Society of Nigeria, University of Uyo. Jan. 31st - Feb. 4tt, 1994.
[38] E.T.Eshiet.;J.A.I Omueti and A.S.R. Juo . Status constraints and
potentials of wetland rice cultivation in eastern Nigeria: A case study of
three farming villages. Thailand Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 24,
no.3, Pp. 243-260.1991.
[1] A.W.A.Edwards. "Wetlands in southern Nigeria" in
Nigerian¬¬¬_Wetlands: T. V.Akpata and D. U. U.Okoli, Eds.Ibadan:
Emmi Press Samanda, 1990,Pp. 27-34.
[2] B.Gopal;R.E. Turner;R.G. Wetzer and D.F. Whigham. Eds .Wetlands:
Ecology and Management. India: National Institute of Ecology and
International Scientific Publications, 1982, Pp. 514.
[3] E.T.Eshiett. "Physicochemical, morphological and mineralogical
characteristics of selected humid region profiles in Southeastern
Nigeria" in proceedings of the Eighth International Soil Correlation
Meeting on Characterization, Classification and Utilization of Wet soils.
J.M. Kimble, Ed. USA: Soil Conservation Service, 1992, Pp. 100 - 105.
[4] E.T.Eshiett. The wetlands of Nigeria: distribution, characterization and
traditional land use practice. Proceeding of the 21st Annual Conference
of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom
State. 30th Jan -4th Feb. 1994 Pp. 1-19
[5] E.T.Eshiet, J.A.I.Omueti and A.S.R. Juo . Characterization of wetland
soils supporting rice production in South Eastern Nigeria. Thailand
Journal of Agricultural Science Vol.2, Pp. 35-50, 1988.
[6] S.W.Peters Ed. "Akwa Ibom State; Physical Background, Soils, Land
Use and Ecological Problems" in Technical Report on Soil and Land
Survey. 1989, Pp. 60-120.
[7] J.M.Anderson, and J.S.I. Ingram, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility: A
handbook of Methods. 2nd edition .United Kingdom: C. A. B.
International, 1993, Pp. 47 - 49.
[8] O.H.Collins and F.M. Lyne. Microbiological Methods .Great Britain:
Butterworth and Company Limited, 1976.
[9] E.F.Harrigan and M.E. McCance .¬Laboratory Methods in Food and
Dairy Microbiology. London: Academic Press, 1976.
[10] A.L.Demain and J.E. Davies (eds). Manual of Industrial Microbiology
and Biotechnology 2nd edition.Washington DC: American Society for
Microbiology Press, 1999.
[11] O.U.Eka and N.M. Fogathy. Descriptive studies on a Streptomyces
Species part 1. Description and some properties of the microorganisms.
West African Journal of Biological and Applied Chemistry Vol. 3, no.5,
Pp. 11 - 17, 1972.
[12] R.Cruickshank, J.P. Duguid, R.P. Mamion, and R.H.A. Swain. Medical
Microbiology. Vol II, London: Churchill, Livngstone, 1976.
[13] J.G.Holt; N.R. Kieg; P.H.A. Sneath, J.T. Staley and S.T. Williams.
Bergey-s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 9thedition, Baltimore,
USA: Williams and Wilkins Publishers, 1994.
[14] K.H.Domsch,H.Gams and T.H. Anderson. Compendium of Soil Fungi
London: Academy Press, 1980.
[15] H.L. Barnet and B.B. Hunter, Ilustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi .4th
Edition USA: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987.
[16] G.J.Bouyoucous. Improved hydrometer method for making particle size
analysis of soils.Agronomy Journal Vol. 54, Pp464-465, 1962.
[17] E.J.Udo and J.A. Ogunwale. Laboratory Manual for the Analysis of Soil,
Plant and Water Samples. 2nd edition. Ibadan: University Press, 1986.
[18] M.L.Jackson. Soil Chemical Analysis .Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:
Prenctice Hall Inc. 1962, Pp. 110-112.
[19] Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Methods of
Analysis. 12th edition. Washington DC: AOAC, 1990.
[20] R.H.Bray and L.T. Jurtz . Determination of total organic and available
forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science Vol. 59 ,Pp 39-54, 1945.
[21] J.Murphy and J.P. Rile. Trace metal speciation analytical Methods and
Problems in Analytical Chemistry, Act 227, Pp. 31-36, 1962.
[22] A.Walkley and I.A. Black. An examination of the Degtjereff Method for
determining Soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the
chromic and titration method. Soil Science Vol.37, Pp.29-38, 1934.
[23] R.R.Sokal and F.J. Rolf. Biometry: The Principle and Practice of
Statistics in Biological Research. 2nd edition. New York. USA: W. H.
Freeman Company,1981.
[24] I.R.Udotong and O.J. Akpanekon (a). "Microbiological and
Physicochemical studies of wetland soils in Itu, Nigeria". Nigerian
Journal of Microbiology, to be published.
[25] I.R.Udotong and O.J. Akpanekon (b). "Microbiological and
Physicochemical studies of inland wetland soils in Ikot Ekpene,
Nigeria". Nigerian Journal of Microbiology., to be published.
[26] RPI. Environmental Baseline Studies for the establishment of control
Criteria And Standards Against Petroleum-related Pollution in Nigeria.
Final Report Submitted to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC), Lagos.1985
[27] N.C.Brady. The Nature and Properties of soils. New York: Macmillan
Publishing Company, 1984, Pp. 10 - 593.
[28] E.Moore - Landecker. Fundamentals of the Fungi .3rd edition, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc., 1990.
[29] S. Higashida and K. Takao. Seasonal fluctuation patterns of microbial
numbers in the surface soil of a grassland. Soil Science and Plant
Nutrition, Vol.31,Pp. 113-121,1985.
[30] M.Alexander, Introduction to Soil Microbiology .2nd edition. New
Delhi: Wiley Eastem Limited, 1985, Pp.3 - 102.
[31] R.M.Atlas and R. Bartha. Microbial Ecology: Fundamentals and
Applications. 4th edition, CA: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing
Company, 1998, Pp. 511 - 602.
[32] K.H.Nelson and C.R. Myers. Microbial Reduction of manganese and
Iron: New approaches to carbon cycling. Applied and Environment
Microbiology Vol.58, Pp.439-443, 1992.
[33] D.J. Hardman,M . Sharron and E.Stephen. Pollution: Ecology and
biotreatment. New York: John Wiley and sons Inc. 1993, Pp.97-117.
[34] A.Brewer. The science of ecology. 2nd Edition, Philadelphia:Saunders
Publishers,1994, Pp.589-598.
[35] J.Hassink. Effect of soil texture and structure on carbon and nitrogen
mineralization in grassland soils". Biology and Fertility of Soils
Vol.14,Pp.126-134, 1992
[36] J.R.Landon.Ed. Booker Tropical Soil Manual: A Handbook_for Soil
Survey and Agricultural Land Evaluation in the Tropics and Sub-tropics.
England:Booker Agriculture International Limited. 1994, Pp. 113-
157.1994.
[37] N.O.Isirimah. Mineralogy, chemistry and fertility of Nigerian coastal
soils. A paper presented at the 21st Annual Conference of Soil Science
Society of Nigeria, University of Uyo. Jan. 31st - Feb. 4tt, 1994.
[38] E.T.Eshiet.;J.A.I Omueti and A.S.R. Juo . Status constraints and
potentials of wetland rice cultivation in eastern Nigeria: A case study of
three farming villages. Thailand Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 24,
no.3, Pp. 243-260.1991.
@article{"International Journal of Biological, Life and Agricultural Sciences:49488", author = "Ime R. Udotong and Ofonime U. M. John and Justina I. R. Udotong", title = "Microbiological and Physicochemical Studies of Wetland Soils in Eket, Nigeria", abstract = "The microbiological and physicochemical
characteristics of wetland soils in Eket Local Government Area were
studied between May 2001 and June 2003. Total heterotrophic
bacterial counts (THBC), total fungal counts (TFC), and total
actinomycetes counts (TAC) were determined from soil samples
taken from four locations at two depths in the wet and dry seasons.
Microbial isolates were characterized and identified. Particle size and
chemical parameters were also determined using standard methods.
THBC ranged from 5.2 (+0.17) x106 to 1.7 (+0.18) x107 cfu/g and
from 2.4 (+0.02) x106 to 1.4 (+0.04) x107cfu/g in the wet and dry
seasons, respectively. TFC ranged from 1.8 (+0.03) x106 to 6.6 (+
0.18) x106 cfu/g and from 1.0 (+0.04) x106 to 4.2 (+ 0.01) x106 cfu/g
in the wet and dry seasons, respectively .TAC ranged from 1.2
(+0.53) x106 to 6.0 (+0.05) x106 cfu/g and from 0.6 (+0.01) x106 to
3.2 (+ 0.12) x106 cfu/g in the wet and dry season, respectively.
Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckja,
Enterobacter, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium, Serratia, Enterococcus,
and Pseudomonas species were predominant bacteria while
Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, and Rhizopus were the
dominant fungal genera isolated. Streptomyces and Norcadia were
the actinomycetes genera isolated. The particle size analysis showed
high sand fraction but low silt and clay. The pH and % organic
matter were generally acidic and low, respectively at all locations.
Calcium dominated the exchangeable bases with low electrical
conductivity and micronutrients. These results provide the baseline
data of Eket wetland soils for its management for sustainable
agriculture.", keywords = "Wetland soils, Microbial counts, physicochemicalcharacteristics, Sustainable agriculture.", volume = "2", number = "8", pages = "132-6", }
