Heavy Metal Contamination And Fungal Diversity In Dumpsites: Case Study Of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Wofu, N. B.
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5080, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Fayam, E. S
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5080, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Nneji, C. A.
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5080, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Heavy Metal, Fungi, Ogbogoro, Rivers State University, Dumpsites
Abstract
This study assessed heavy metal contamination and fungal communities in soils from two dumpsites in Nigeria: Ogbogoro and Rivers State University. Heavy metal compositions were determined using standard methods, while fungal isolates were characterized macroscopically and microscopically to determine probable organisms and percentage incidence. Results showed that Rivers State University dumpsite exhibited higher levels of most heavy metals, particularly Cd (0.9276 ppm vs. 0.3260 ppm), Cu (0.6735 ppm vs. 0.3059 ppm), Zn (9.1770 ppm vs. 3.2819 ppm), Cr (0.061 ppm vs. 0.0094 ppm), Ni (0.9656 ppm vs. 0.6566 ppm), As (0.023 ppm vs. 0.010 ppm), and Fe (5.8458 ppm vs. 5.1892 ppm). In contrast, Pb (0.085 ppm vs. 0.043 ppm) and Hg (0.043 ppm vs. 0.014 ppm) were higher at Ogbogoro, with Se identical at 0.267 ppm across both sites. Fungal characterization revealed Rhizopus sp. as the dominant isolate at Rivers State University (90% incidence), with minor Candida sp. (10%). At Ogbogoro, Rhizopus sp. occurred at 60%, alongside Aspergillus niger (40%).These findings highlighted differential heavy metal accumulation and fungal adaptation between the dumpsites, with Rivers State University showing elevated contamination and strong Rhizopus dominance, underscoring the potential influence of site-specific waste profiles on soil pollution and microbial ecology.