Title: Physicochemistry and microbial diversity of a municipal solid waste dumpsite leachate revealed by metagenomics

Authors: Ini Ubi Bassey; Iniobong Ebenge Andy; Uwem Okon Edet; Chimezie Jason Ogugbue

Addresses: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115 Calabar, Nigeria ' Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115 Calabar, Nigeria ' Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Obong University, Obong Ntak, Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria ' Microbiology Department, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, East-West Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: In this study, the description of microbial diversity of dumpsite leachate was done using metagenomics in addition to physicochemistry. Sampling of leachate, physicochemical analysis, metagenomics DNA extraction and next generation sequencing (NGS) were all done using standard techniques. Results of physicochemical analysis showed that heavy metals (lead, cadmium and zinc) were higher than levels permissible in ground water by WHO. In decreasing abundance, the kingdoms classified were, protozoa, bacteria, archaea, unknown. Phyla analysis showed 14 microbial phyla of which, the top five were unknown, actinobacteria, firmicutes, ciliophora, and proteobacteria. Class analysis revealed 18 classes A total of 34, 59 and 126 orders, families and species were classified, respectively. Amongst the classified species, medically importance ones were Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium sp, Propionibacterium acnes and Shigella sonnei. Furthermore, novel and industrially important species namely Ignatzschineria indica and Bacillus licheniformis, were also identified.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; leachate; metagenomics; dumpsite; microbial community.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.128108

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2022 Vol.30 No.1, pp.14 - 29

Received: 31 Dec 2019
Accepted: 17 Jun 2020
Published online: 06 Jan 2023 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article