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ABSTRACT
Nigeria has been flaring gas since the 1950s, releasing majorly hydrocarbons like methane, ethane, propane and butane and other related hydrocarbons into the environment which has caused adverse effects. This study takes a look at those effects on soil physicochemical properties and how it affects the fungal population in the soil. The flared top soil of Ologbo community was investigated by collecting samples at radial distances of 50m, 100m, 150m, 200m and the control at 0 to 15cm depth. Physicochemical properties such as the pH ranges from (5.21±0.002 to 7.01±0.06 ) at 50m and control respectively. In addition, moisture content ranges from (7.22±0.02 to 36.2±0.08) it shows an increase as you moved away from the flare stack. There was a significant difference between the pH at 50m and the control sample. It was also noticed that the total hydrocarbon utilizing fungal count ranged from (16.27±1.02 to 1.02±1.82) at 50m and the control. Conversely, the total heterotrophic fungi count ranged from (26.26±2.44 to 11.33±0.24) at the control and 50m respectively. Gas flaring should be totally stopped and used as a source of fuel for electricity generation and more legislative attention and adequate enforcement should be brought into the oil and gas sector.
