1.1 Introduction
Heavy metals are essential micronutrients for bacterial growth and enzymatic activities; however they are toxic at elevated concentrations due to binding to DNA and enzymes and increased production of oxygen radicals through the Fenton reaction (Lopez-Maury et al., 2002). Trace metals are significant contaminants in many aquatic systems, partly from anthropogenic sources such as industrial and mining inputs. A microorganism's expression of a novel gene that codes for drug resistance in remote communities can have global implications. After the introduction of resistant organisms into a population, dissemination becomes rapid (Wenzel and Edmond, 2000).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In the last decade many studies have shown that antibiotic resistant bacterial strains may arise in the environment through cross- or co-resistance to metals or resistance pathway co-regulation (Akinbowale et al., 2007). The interaction between heavy metals and antibiotic resistance are of three types: heavy metals interaction with antibiotic compounds, heavy metals interaction with antibiotic resistance genes or even their products and heavy metal interaction with bacterial.
Wastewater irrigation provides essential nutrients and organic matter, saving water and reducing water contamination (Murtaza et al. 2010). Besides these benefits, a number of drawbacks are associated with the use of wastewater for plant irrigation (Murtaza et al. 2010, Khalid et al. 2017). Wastewater contains potentially toxic elements, which can induce severe risks to human health and the environment (Mark et al. 2019, Shahid 2017). Depending on the concentrations of the metals and properties of the soil, uptake of heavy metals into plants is inevitable, which can pose toxic threats to biota, cause soil degradation and decrease plant yields (Luo et al. 2011). Mobile metals can be taken up by vegetables from the soils whilst scavenging for nutrients at varying degrees (Luo et al. 2011). Studies have shown that urban and garden soils can contain high amounts of trace metals (Charlesworth et al. 2011). These soils are therefore considered one of the notable sites for human exposure to trace metals (De Miguel et al. 2007). With regards to human exposure, soil to plant transfer represents a major pathway for contamination and eventual disease manifestation (Jolly et al. 2013). Studies have shown that chronic intake of even low levels of toxic metals over time can lead to nervous, cardiovascular, renal, and neurological impairments as well as bone diseases (Järup 2003). Therefore, the determination of the concentrations of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) and physicochemical parameters in some vegetable plants and soil at a typical irrigation site that has been on wastewater irrigation during the summer of which this study is aimed at, is of paramount importance.
Therefore, in Gombe State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Heavy Metal on Bacteria Isolate Obtained from Abattoir Wastewater.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Wastes can be practically dumped, landfilled, incinerated, composted, digested anaerobically and/or used as animal feed. In many Asian countries food waste is still dumped with other household waste in landfills or dumpsites. Unfortunately, the capacity of the landfills is mostly surpassed due to a lack of waste management planning, so Wastewater irrigation provides essential nutrients and organic matter, saving water and reducing water contamination (Murtaza et al. 2010). Besides these benefits, a number of drawbacks are associated with the use of wastewater for plant irrigation (Murtaza et al. 2010, Khalid et al. 2017). The environmental pollution (leachate, gas, odors, flies, vermin, and pathogens) poses serious problems (Ngoc, 2009).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Effect of Heavy Metal on Bacteria Isolate Obtained from Abattoir Wastewater in Gombe. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the level of contamination of the abattoir wastewater using Heavy Metal
- To examine the Resistance of the Bacterial Isolates to Heavy Metals Resistance in Solid Media
- To examine the Heavy Metal Toxicity in Liquid Media
- To determine the Interaction of Metal Resistance and Antibiotic Resistance
- To find out the Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli strains isolated from seabob shrimp as well as on laboratory culture strains.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to micro biologist, and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Effect of Heavy Metal on Bacteria Isolate Obtained from Abattoir Wastewater in Gombe State.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
