ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to evaluate the physiochemical and bacteriological quality of soil samples from gas welding workshop in Benin City, Edo State. Soil samples were collected from two welding sites. The sites were located at Murtala Muhammed Way (6o 20o 29o N’ and 5o 37o 07o E’) and Igun street (6o 20o 29o N’ and 5o 38o 13o E’). The samples were transported to laboratories for physiochemical and bacteriological analysis. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of all soil were in the following ranges: pH (8.1±1.55 - 8.4±0.00), EC (0.92±1.50 - 7.37±2.30), OC (13.0±2.00 - 159±1.55), TNK (1.22±1.00 - 2.36±2.50), P (14.93±1.33 - 43.11±3.30), CA (0.13±0.00 - 0.37±1.33), K (2.87±2.33 - 4.36±0.33), MG (0.78±1.00 - 0.95±1.00), SAND (92.0±3.5 - 95.0±2.00), SILT (1.20±2.50 - 1.85± 2.33) and CLAY (3.68±0.50 - 4.28±0.33). The highest value of EC, TKN, P, CA, K, SAND and SILT was observed in Murtala Muhammed Way soil sample. While the highest value of pH, OC, MG and CLAY was observed in Igun Street soil sample. However when these values was compared to the control, they were found to be higher than the control soil sample, except for P and CLAY value in the control soil. A significantly different of p˃0.05 was also observed between the different soil samples. The of total heterotrophic bacteria count on soil samples from Murtala Muhammed Way ranged from 5.30 x 105 ±1.00 - 6.95 x 105 ± 1.50. While Igun Street soil samples ranged from 7.05 x 105 ± 1.50 - 10.5 x 107 ± 1.50. The probable bacterial isolates were Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Staphylococcus aureus. This study reveals that soil sources without treatment would pose a possible environmental hazard or health effect. Therefore environmental agencies should ensure compliance with relevant standards to avoid risks to human health.
