BIOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METAL-CONTAMINATED SOIL USING INDIGENOUS BACTERIA AND Amaranthus hybridus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/coast.v7i2.12sKeywords:
Bioremediation, Heavy metals, Indigenous bacteria, A. hybridus.Abstract
Urban waste sites in Niger State, Nigeria, are significant sources of heavy metal contamination, posing serious risks to soil health, water quality, food safety, and public health. This study assessed the remediation efficiency of indigenous bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in combination with Amaranthus hybridus for remediation of lead- and cadmium-contaminated soils at the Madalla dumpsite. Soil samples were treated with bacterial isolates obtained from the site and co-cultivated with A. hybridus under controlled conditions for 8 weeks. Results showed significant reductions in lead and cadmium concentrations, improvement in soil pH, enhanced plant growth, and increased biomass yield. These findings demonstrate that integrated microbial and phytoremediation offer a promising, cost-effective biotechnological approach for remediation of heavy metal-contaminated urban waste sites."
