Molecular characterization of some bacteria isolated from munitions contaminated sites in Kachia Military Firing Range, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Environmental pollution is principally caused by human activities that usually result in the release of man–made pollutants such as biological, chemical and radioactive in such states as solid, liquid and gaseous substances into the biosphere via, land, water and air. Globally, the increasing rate of environmental contamination by ammunition/explosives resulting from their increasing deployments in the rising spites of military conflicts and training has certainly become a matter of great concern for every nation. The aim of this research was to molecularly characterize some isolated bacteria from an apparent munitions contaminated sites in Kachia Military Firing Range, Kaduna State. DNA from each isolated bacteria was extracted and 16s rRNA Gene amplified from each isolated bacteria DNA using thermo cycler. The amplified genes were run on Agarose gel plate and visualized. Amplified gene bands were sequenced and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). 16s rRNA gene sequences result aligned with BLAST search of NCBI databases that revealed the presence of Lysinibacillus pakistanensis, Eschericia coli, Achromobacter spanius, Achromobacter animicus, Escherichia fergusonii and Shigella sp. The results identified bacteria that were isolated from munitions contaminated sites and that could also be useful for their bioremediation potential against munitions contaminant.   Key words: Environment, pollution, contamination, bacteria, bioremediation.