The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition of top soil samples from Oka market waste
collection site. Standard analytical and microbiological procedures were adopted. pH and
electrical conductivity ranged from 6.45 to 7.39 and 230 to 940 μS/cm respectively. The highest
content of organic carbon was observed in sample 2 (5.91 %), while that of sodium and
potassium were 2.44 meq/ 100g (soil 2) and 0.23 meq/ 100g (soil 3) respectively. Calcium and
magnesium content in the soil ranged from 2.60 to 7.72 meq/ 100g and 0.69 to 1.38 meq/ 100g
respectively. The total hydrocarbon content ranged from 2.4 to 15.9mg/kg. The results of
particle soil analysis revealed high content of sandy soil (88.2 to 90.7). Iron had the highest
concentration among studied heavy metals, ranging from 193 to 649.2 mg/kg. Total
heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts were in the magnitude of 10
4, ranging from 3.6 to 17.4
cfu/g and 2.3 to 6.9 cfu/g. Tentative bacterial isolates were
Bacillus
sp.,
Micrococcus
sp.,
Staphylococcus
spp. and
Enterobacter
sp., while fungal isolates were
Aspergillus
sp.
Candida
sp. and
Penicillium
spp. The highest concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon was
16.5 mg/kg, with its components ranging from 0.08 mg/kg (Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene) to 2.1
mg/kg (Benzo(k) fluoranthene). The quality of soil is as a result of all the processes that act on
it, therefore, informing the public of the dangers inherent in improper management of soil
environment should be considered as an important aspect of scientific research.
