O. OSARENOTOR

This study examined the fungal community associated with the topsoil of three major open markets in Benin City, Uselu, Kara, and Oluku, representing different environmental and sanitary conditions. The aim was to enumerate, identify, and compare the fungal species present in the topsoil, focusing on differences between the tomatoes (plant-based) and cattle/beef (animal-based) sections. Topsoil samples were collected aseptically from six locations and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar using the pour plate technique. Fungal isolates were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics after staining with lactophenol cotton blue. The mean total heterotrophic fungal count ranged from 12.5 ± 3.3 × 10³ cfu/g in Uselu cattle/beef section to 28.5 ± 3.7 × 10³ cfu/g in Oluku cattle/beef section. Tomato sections of Uselu and Kara showed moderate counts (15.7 ± 2.9× 10³ and 16.2 ± 4.7 × 10³ cfu/g), while Oluku tomato soil had 27.7 ± 6.5 × 10³ cfu/g, indicating greater microbial activity. Ten fungal taxa were identified are Aspergillus species (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus), alongside Rhizopus sp, Mucor sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium, Trichoderma sp, and Alternaria sp. Oluku Market exhibited the highest diversity, particularly in tomato sections, where potential aflatoxin producing fungi like; Aspergillus flavus were prevalent. The results of this reveal that market top soils in Benin City have diverse fungi. The frequent presence of toxin-producing Aspergillus species in the locations highlights the need for improved waste management and hygiene to reduce potential public health risks. xi

This study addresses the challenge of unsustainable solid waste management in Edo South, Nigeria, by integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). The research focused on five critical criteria such as distance to road, slope, soil type, distance to water bodies, and proximity to residential areas, which were weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Road accessibility was determined to be the most critical factor, receiving the highest weight at 30%, emphasizing its role in operational
logistics and cost efficiency. A Weighted Overlay Analysis was performed to synthesize the standardized spatial layers, generating a final suitability map. The key findings reveal robust land availability: 34.6% of the Edo South Senatorial District was classified as Highly Suitable, 64.8%as Moderately Suitable, and only 0.5% as Least Suitable. The optimal, highly suitable sites are strategically concentrated in the outlying and less urbanized Local Government Areas (including Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, Uhunmwonde, and Orhionmwon), confirming the necessity of siting new facilities away from the dense urban core. The final map serves as a reliable, data-driven planning tool, guiding policymakers and urban planners toward sustainable landfill
placement that ensures compliance with environmental standards and mitigates the public health and pollution risks associated with current improper waste disposal practices in the region.