Examining Seasonal Variations in Soil Parasitic Contamination and its Relationship with Soil pH and Organic Matter in Misurata, Libya
Hana M Shaklawoon, Layla O Elmajdoub, Khdija SM Ali, Kholoud A Emshiheet, Fatma M Abushiba, Sara E Elzwawy, Mabrooka M Abushalaha, Rowida S Alagme, Huda A Hman, Huda H Elgerani, Marwa Ali Alsideeg Ageela and Fatima F Eshtiwi
2025/10/29
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17476593
ABSTRACT
Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth, supporting plant growth that provides food for both humans and animals. Additionally, soil serves as a habitat for a diverse range of microorganisms that are essential for nutrient cycling. However, soil can also be a source of parasitic infections. Certain environments can harbor protozoa and soil-transmitted helminths, which can transmit diseases to humans. Parasitic contamination poses a significant global health threat, as it is one of the most common types of infections worldwide. This study aimed to determine the levels of parasitic contamination and identify the predominant parasitic species in soil samples collected from various locations in Misurata. A total of 384 samples were collected over the seasons of 2021 and 2022—autumn, winter, spring, and summer—and were transferred to the laboratory for analysis of their physical and chemical properties. These properties included pH, which ranged from 8.1 to 9.0 in all samples, and organic matter content, which ranged from 2.5% to 2.8%. Microscopic examination was conducted to assess the rate of parasitic contamination. The results showed slight variations between seasons, with an overall contamination rate of 37.18%. Specifically, the contamination rates were 34.14% in autumn, 39.12% in winter, 38.07% in spring, and 37.38% in summer. The findings indicated that higher soil pH and organic matter content were associated with increased intensity of parasitic contamination, particularly in autumn. Conversely, lower values corresponded to reduced contamination intensity in summer. This suggests that moderately alkaline conditions, combined with elevated organic matter, may favor the persistence and transmission of soil parasites.
AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS
1 Department of Zoology, College of Science, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
2 Department of Zoology, College of Science, Aljufra University, Aljufra, Libya
3 Department of Biology, Science School, Libyan Academic in Misurata, Libya
CITATION
Shaklawoon HM, Elmajdoub LO, Ali KSM, Emshiheet KA, Abushiba FM, Elzwawy SE, Abushalaha MM, Alagme RS, Hman HA, Elgerani HH, Ageela MAA and Eshtiwi FF (2025) Examining Seasonal Variations in Soil Parasitic Contamination and its Relationship with Soil pH and Organic Matter in Misurata, Libya. Environmental Science Archives 4(2): 745-753.
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