Microbial Effect of Refuse Dump on the Composition of Leafy Vegetables Grown in the Vicinity of Dump Site Along River Benue, Mubi Road, Yola

Microbial quality of vegetables grown in the vicinity of dumpsite along river Benue basin Yola Adamawa state was investigated to determine the effect of the wastes. A total of twenty samples were studied, from each of vegetable, soil and water at different distances 50, 100 and 200m from the dumpsite. Microbial analysis showed that total bacterial, mold and yeast, and coliform bacteria counts exceeded the 1,000 CFU/100ml guideline for water used in fresh produce. The result shows that total bacterial count was found to be significantly higher in the soil ranging from 4.3 x 105 – 4.78 x 106 followed by irrigation water ranging from 1.0 x 104 – 3.66 x 106 and the least was the vegetable ranging from 1.0 x104 – 9.0 x 104. Coliform bacteria count was found to be higher in the irrigation water ranging from 2.0 x 104 – 1.2 x 105 followed by the vegetables ranging from 1.0 x 104 – 2.0 x 104 and no growth of coliform was found in the soil. Mold and yeast was found to be significantly higher in the soil ranging from1.0 x 104 – TNC and was absent in the vegetables and water respectively. The higher level of microorganism observed in the dump site vegetables compared with the control vegetables show that refuse dump contribute to the microbial load in the study site. This implies that the microbial quality of vegetables may pose a health risk to the people who consume them if not properly prepared.