Bioremediation Potential of Actinobacteria in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils in Kipkenyo Dumpsite, Eldoret, Kenya
Main Article Content
Keywords
Heavy Metals, Dump Sites, Bioremediation, Actinobacteria
Abstract
Contamination of soils by potentially toxic elements poses significant environmental and health hazards globally, especially in mismanaged waste disposal sites. This is due to deposition of solid and liquid substances in the dumpsites and industrial pollutions into the soil which form toxic chemicals as well as evaporation of harmful gases into the atmosphere. This study assessed the bioremediation potential of Actinobacteria in heavy metals contaminated soils in Kipkenyo dumpsite, Eldoret, Kenya. Initial concentrations of Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Iron, Manganese and Zinc were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The dumpsite soil samples were characterized to identify the species of bacteria present. The most abundant species were isolated, cultured and used as a positive control in the bioremediation experimental set up. The isolated bacteria were identified using morphological characteristics and biochemical tests using Bergy’s manual of determinative bacteriology. Streptomyces spp. was isolated and cultured from soil samples from the University of Eldoret arboretum. The data was analyzed using R programming language version 4.4.2. The initial concentrations of heavy metal elements in Kipkenyo dumpsite soil samples had significant variations (P˂ 0.05). The final concentrations of elements also showed significant changes in samples treated with either Streptomyces spp. or Bacillus spp compared to that of negative control. Bacillus spp. was the most abundant in the dumpsite soil samples. Zinc had a higher degradation percentage (82.68% in Streptomyces spp. and 80.68% in Bacillus spp.) while chromium had the least percentage degradation (6.49% in Streptomyces spp. and 10.39% in Bacillus spp.). Streptomyces spp. had a higher percentage degradation in most heavy metal elements compared to Bacillus spp. These findings underscore the potential use of native actinobacteria in bioremediating heavy metal-contaminated soils and serve as a basis for creating environmentally friendly dumpsite rehabilitation techniques.
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May 14, 2026
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Kipsiro , K. . C., Kipkorir, K. G. K., & Wanjohi, L. (2026). Bioremediation Potential of Actinobacteria in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils in Kipkenyo Dumpsite, Eldoret, Kenya. Journal of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems, 4(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.69897/jatems.v4i2.353
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Author Biographies
Klara C. Kipsiro , Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Klara Chepkemboi is an Environmental Consultant specializing in environmental impact assessment and environmental management. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Environmental Health at the University of Eldoret, Kenya. Her research interests focus on environmental pollution, soil contamination, and the bioremediation of heavy metals using microbial species.
K. G. Kiptoo Kipkorir, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Lucy Wanjohi, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya