Abstract—Bioremediation of metal contaminated soil involves complex processes, and the non-degradable nature of metals makes it more difficult. The known sources of metal pollution are many and adopting a specific remediation procedure for it is often impossible. Microbes found at polluted sites tend to serve as good remediation agents due to perceived environmental potential. Therefore, it is imperative to select bioremediation by enhancing microbes potential as a way of restoring metal polluted site to original or undisturbed state. Hence, this study tried to evaluate the individual effect of bacterial isolates on the remediation of metal polluted soil from landfill, against combined impact of microbes blended together. Soil samples that characterized of Cd2+, Cr2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ were subjected to bioremediation. Results revealed no more than 50% reduction across the treatments amended with individual isolates. Rather higher metal remediation was observed when individual isolates were mixed prior to application. Therefore, the study suggests that individual isolates from contaminated sites can selectively metabolize to bioreduce metal concentrations. However, a mix of such isolates with manipulation in the concentration level can enhance metal reduction efficiency (>50%).

Index Terms—Bioaugmentation, bioremediation, metal pollution, leachate.

Emenike C. U. is with Centre for Research in Waste Management, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is also with Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Izyani A. K., Fauziah S. H. are with Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Cite: Emenike C. U., Izyani A. K., Fauziah S. H., "Effect of Mixing Individual Isolates for Bioreduction of Metals in Contaminated Soil," International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 194-200, 2017.