Assessment of Biodegradation Ability of Aspergillus Niger Isolated From Mechanic Workshops Soilon Refinery Effluent and Petroleum Hydrocarbons

The environment is considered as man’s important asset that must be protected for his life support. Regrettably the situation is different where oil refinery and petrochemical plants operate. Environmental pollution in the form of emissions and effluent discharge in these area poses serious threat to the ecosystem particularly soil, often with undesirable effects. The study collected soil samples from three (3) different mechanic workshops soil. Soil samples collected were taken to the laboratory for isolation of Aspergillus niger using potato dextrose agar (PDA). Samples of the raw effluent was collected from the waste oil retention pond was analysed for temperature, pH, electrical conductivity ,total dissolved solids, Total suspended solids, BOD, COD.Nitrate, Phosphate were compared with FMENV maximum permissible limit. Isolates of Aspergillus niger was confirmed for biodegradation ability of Refinery effluent augmented with glucose, Mineral Salt medium, and with nutrient. Also, the ability of Aspergillus niger to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon was confirmed using kerosene, diesel, spent engine oil, unspent engine oil, using spectrophotometer. Aspergillus niger has the percentage biodegradation in diesel, Kerosene has the least percentage biodegradation.