Exploring the Bioremediation Potential of Microorganisms in Fish Ponds Contaminated with Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate

Abstract: Water bodies are profoundly affected by pollution from anthropogenic activity, with linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LABS), a surfactant present in untreated wastewater, representing a substantial hazard to aquatic organisms, fauna, and humans. LABS remains present in both surface and groundwater, especially in riverine regions where untreated waste is frequently discharged. This study examines the capacity of microorganisms to bioremediate fish ponds contaminated with LABS.One hundred post-juvenile Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) were procured from a fish farm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and subsequently moved to aquaria at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State. The fish were acclimated in aquaria containing 10 litres of water for seven days prior to the introduction of the LABS solution. Water samples were obtained on Days 1, 3, 7, 9, and 14 for examination. The overall bacterial burden in the samples indicated that although coliforms were initially unable to utilise the surfactant, they subsequently commenced breakdown. Staphylococcus species and total heterotrophic bacteria commenced the degradation of LABS from Day 1. A total of 22 bacterial and fungal isolates were detected, with Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans as the most predominant species. The research illustrates that these microbial consortia effectively degraded LABS, presenting opportunities for bioremediation in contaminated aquatic environments.   Keywords: Bioremediation, Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, Microorganisms, Aquatic Ecosystems, Clarias gariepinus     Cite:  Ariyo, A. B. and Omoregha, P. A. (2025): Exploring the Bioremediation Potential of Microorganisms in Fish Ponds Contaminated with Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate : Journal of Advances in Natural Science and Engineering Volume 1(1): Pages 74  – 82 : doi.org