Coastal areas around the world are quickly eroding because of uncontrolled deforestation. Thus,
this study aimed to determine the chemical concentration and microbial population of soils on
eroded shorelines at three levels (i.e., top, medium, and bottom). The soil sample was sent to the
laboratory for physicochemical analyses of cadmium, lead, and total hydrocarbon content. The
results revealed that the mean THC of top, middle, and bottom soil were 1.31±0.07 mg/kg,
0.77±0.03 mg/kg, and 0.3±0.02 mg/kg while the control was 0.01±0.01 mg/kg. Also, the mean
cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels were statistically similar at p>0.05 in values (i.e.
0.001±0.001mg/kg) when compared to the control. The population of total heterotrophic bacteria
(THB) and total heterotrophic fungi of the control were 1.7cfu/g and 1.1cfu/g, respectively. The
population of THB and THF in root soil were 2.3cfu/g and 0.9cfu/g, respectively. Also, the
populations of THB and THF in the root were 2.9cfu/g and 1.4cfu/g, respectively. The mean
THC level of the top soil was significantly highest, followed by that of the middle and bottom,
while the least was the control. The significantly increased THC levels observed in the top,
middle, and bottom soil in comparison to the control is as a result of deposition of hydrocarbon
wastes by anthropogenic activities. The THB estimated in mangrove roots was significantly
highest in lead concentration, followed by root soil, while the control was the least.
The THB in root and soil-root samples was significantly higher than in the control. The
significantly increased THB population observed in the mangrove and soil roots suggests
possible increases in anthropogenic activities, which might have triggered favorable bacterial
growth conditions. Therefore, the result implies that deforested areas can be a metal sink and a
source of contaminants to the nearby mangrove vegetation, which may, in turn, move to humans
through the food chain.