Published in Volume 1, Issue 1
A good agricultural soil is characterized by adequate nutrients. Most agricultural soils in Nigeria have
been subjected to different kinds of pollutants resulting from anthropogenic activities, notably untreated
pharmaceutical effluents (UPE) which have emerged as the major threatening factor to the quality of
Nigerian agricultural soils. This study investigated the impact of untreated pharmaceutical effluents (UPE)
on soil microbiological characteristics. UPE samples were collected from five major pharmaceutical
companies in Anambra State, Nigeria, and analyzed for microbiological properties, heavy metal level
using Atomic Absorption Spectroscpic technique and nutritive values using gravimetric technique. The
results showed that the microbial parameters of the UPEs exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO)
stipulated limits. Notably, UPE P4 exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against microbes. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant (P<0.05) increase in heavy metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Cobalt, Nickel, Lead) and a decrease in nutritive values (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) of Zea mays seeds harvested from
UPE-polluted sites, particularly in 100L/9m² UPE-polluted sites. The findings suggest that UPE pollution
significantly reduces soil microbiological properties and nutrient cycling microbes while increasing heavy
metal levels. These results have important implications for environmental and human health, highlighting
the need for proper treatment and disposal of pharmaceutical effluents.
Nnamdi Enoch Nwakoby, Ikechukwu Harmony Iheukwumere, Chiamaka Frances Iheukwumere, James Item Ezeogo, Chidiogo Marigold Iheukwumere, Ngozi Chinasa Okafor (2025). MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER AND ITS IMPACT ON SOIL HEALTH. Interdiscipinary Journal of Exploration & Review, Volume 1, Issue 1, 17.
Nnamdi Enoch Nwakoby, Ikechukwu Harmony Iheukwumere, Chiamaka Frances Iheukwumere, James Item Ezeogo, Chidiogo Marigold Iheukwumere, Ngozi Chinasa Okafor. "MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER AND ITS IMPACT ON SOIL HEALTH." Interdiscipinary Journal of Exploration & Review, vol. Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025, pp. 17.
Nnamdi Enoch Nwakoby, Ikechukwu Harmony Iheukwumere, Chiamaka Frances Iheukwumere, James Item Ezeogo, Chidiogo Marigold Iheukwumere, Ngozi Chinasa Okafor. "MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER AND ITS IMPACT ON SOIL HEALTH." Interdiscipinary Journal of Exploration & Review Volume 1, Issue 1 (2025): 17.
@article{microbialdiversityinpharmaceuticalwastewateranditsimpactonsoilhealth2025,
author = Nnamdi Enoch Nwakoby, Ikechukwu Harmony Iheukwumere, Chiamaka Frances Iheukwumere, James Item Ezeogo, Chidiogo Marigold Iheukwumere, Ngozi Chinasa Okafor,
title = MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER AND ITS IMPACT ON SOIL HEALTH,
journal = Interdiscipinary Journal of Exploration & Review,
year = 2025,
volume = Volume 1, Issue 1,
pages = 17
}
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