Soil Bacterial Dynamics: Assessing the Effects of Urine on Lipolytic and Cellulytic Bacteria

Abstract

A good quality soil is characterized by adequate nutrients as a result of abundant nutrients cycling bacteria. Most soil in Nigeria has been subjected to different kinds of anthropogenic activities which can impact either positively or negatively. This study investigated the impact of human urine on soil bacterial populations, specifically lipolytic and cellulolytic bacteria, in Uli community. Thirty composite soil samples were collected from urinating sites and analyzed using in situ and standard plate techniques. The bacterial counts were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine significant differences between impacted and non-impacted soil samples. The results revealed a statistically significant increase in lipolytic and cellulolytic bacterial counts in impacted soil samples (p < 0.05). The predominant bacterial isolates identified were Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Micrococcus species, which are known to play a crucial role in nutrient cycling. Characterization of bacterial isolates was based on morphology, biochemical and molecular characteristics. The findings suggest that human urine deposition enhances microbial activity, potentially increasing soil fertility. The study's outcome has implications for understanding the role of human waste in shaping soil microbial communities and fertility.