MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MAJOR STREAMS AND RIVERS IN CALABAR MUNICIPALITY
Mary Duke, Sylvester Peter Antai and Dominic Reuben Tiku*
ABSTRACT
The study was aimed at assessing the microbiological quality and physicochemical properties of selected major streams and rivers in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State. Water samples were collected from streams and river (Great Kwa, Idundu, Atimbo, Ekabo, Marina and Ikot Effang Mkpa) of selected communities within Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of Cross River State. The collected water samples were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. Results obtained from the study showed that the total heterotrophic bacterial count in the water samples ranged from 2.1 x 103cful/ml (Marina river) to 5.8 x 104cfu/ml (Ikot Effanga Mkpa River), while the total coliform count ranged from 13MPN/100ml (Idunda river) to 29MPN/100ml (Ikot Effanga Mkpa river), and faecal coliform ranged from 1MPN/100ml (Marina to 8MPN/100ml (Ikot effanga Mkpa river). However, from the result, it was observed that the total heterotrophic bacterial counts, total coliform and faecal coliform count of the analyzed water samples exceeded the accepted limits as stipulated by WHO and USEPA (total heterotrophic bacterial count (1.0 x 102cfu/ml), total coliform and faecal coliform count (OMPN/100ml). Similarly, the Salmonella (1.2 x 100 to 2.8 x 102cfu/ml), Shigella (1.1 x 102 to 2.4 x 102cfu/ml) and Vibrio (1.3 x 102 to 2.6 x 102cfu/ml) counts of the analyzed water samples also exceeded the WHO and USEPA accepted limits (1.0 x 102cfu/mkl) Bacterial spp identified from the water samples were Escherichia coli (20%), Bacillus (14.28%), Streptococcus (5.71%), Klebsiella (7.14%), Salmonella (8.57%), Shigella (5.71%), Staphylococcus aureus (8.57%), Proteus (4.29%), Pseudomonas (11.43%), Micrococcus (4.29%), and Vibrio (5.71%). Among the identified isolates, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Shigella were present in all the water samples analyzed. The result of the physiochemical analysis showed that the pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), BOD, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite and zinc content of the collected water samples were lower than the WHO and USEPA accepted limits, while the temperature, turbidity and iron content of the collected water samples were higher than the WHO and USEPA accepted limits. Nevertheless, this study has shown that water samples from Idundu river, Great Kwa river, Marina, Ekabo, Atimbo and Ikot Effanga Mkpa are highly polluted and thereby needs a serious effort in limiting the number of microorganisms released into the water systems. The higher microbial load observed in the water samples render them unfit for ether human consumption or domestic uses. It is therefore, recommended that an effective hygienic and sanitary practices be implemented along the water bodies.
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