Paper Title
Comparative Analysis Of Biodegradation On Polythene And Plastics Buried In Fadama Soil Amended With Organic And Inorganic Fertilizer
Abstract
The aim of this research is to compare the analysis of biodegradation on polythene and plastics buried in fadama
soil amended with Organic and Inorganic fertilizer. Physico- chemical properties of the samples were determined. Bacteria
and Fungi implicated in the biodegradation were identified and enumerated. Physico- chemical properties before the
analysis indicated pH range of the samples from 4.28 – 5.80 , While the percentage Organic carbon and Organic matter was
highest in cow dung samples with 3.89% and 6.69% respectively. The total Nitrogen percentage was recorded to be highest
in Chicken dropping (0.68), while the availability of Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na), Pottasium (K), and Magnessium (mg)
was recorded to be highest in F – soil (Control), with values to be 37ppm, 1.63 Cmolkg-1, 0.35 Cmolkg-1 and 1.18 Cmolkg-1
respectively, except for calcium which was recorded to be highest in Cow dung (5.80 Cmolkg-1). However, physico –
chemical properties of the samples after analysis indicated pH range of 4.6 – 5.80, Percentage Organic carbon and Organic
matter was highest in Fadama soil mixed with fertilizer, having 0.7% and 1.2% respectively. Total Percentage Nitrogen
content was found to be highest (0.56) in Fadama soil mixed with poultry dropping. Availability of Sodium (Na), Pottasium
(K), and Calcium (Ca) was recorded to be highest in Fadama Soil mixed with Cow dung with values to be 0.64 Cmolkg-1,
2.07 Cmolkg-1 and 3.36 Cmolkg-1 respectively. The percentage weight loss of polythene and plastic bags after nine months
in fadama soil mixed with poultry dropping was 11.9% for polythene and 6.0% for plastics. Weight loss in fadama soil
mixed with cow dung was 18.1% for polythene and 4.7% for plastics. Weight loss of polythene and plastic in fadama soil
mixed with fertilizer (NPK) was 7.4% for polythene and 3.3% for plastics. While, the percentage weight loss of polythene
and plastics after nine months of burial in fadama soil (control) was 3.5% and 0.0% respectively. The bacteria species
isolated from Fadama soil, organic and inorganic fertilizers before amendments include: S. aureus, Micrococcus sp,
Streptococcus. pyogenes, Psuedomonas aeruginosa Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. The fungi species include:
Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp, Mucor sp Penicillium sp and Candida sp. The
bacteria species isolated and characterized after nine months of seeding include: S. aureus, Micrococcus sp, S. pyogenes, P.
aeruginosa and B. subtilis. The fungi species are: A. niger A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Mucor sp, Penicillium sp and Fusarium
sp. The result of this study indicated that plastic materials can be degraded in the fadama soil irrespective of whether the soil
is amended or not. The Period of composting also has a significant impact on the rate at which polythene and plastics are
degraded.
Keywords- Fadama , Fertilizer, Plastic And Polythene.