Victor Inumidun Fagorite¹, Cosmas Ahamefula Ahiarakwem¹, Sabinus Ikechukwu Ibeneme¹, Ekeoma Sandra Chinemelu², Judith Ifeanyi Ukwajiunor³, Chidimma Maria Abiahu¹, John Olalekan Poopola¹

Show more
¹ Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
² Department of Geology, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria.
³ Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Show less

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to analyse and identify microbial constituents in the water and sediment samples with comparison of the River to World Health Organisation (WHO, 2011) standard for drinking water and Federal Ministry of Environment (FME, 2006) and their public health implications with respect to water quality. The microbial assay of Otamiri River was investigated using Standard plate count. The result indicates that microbial constituents of Otamiri river obtained at five strategic gauge stations designated SSWS₁ (Egbu), SSWS₂ (Timber Market), SSWS₃ (FUTO), DOWNSTREAM (Mbirichi) and CONTROL POINT with mean Total coliform Count of 3.0 × 10², 3.0 × 10³, 4.1 × 10³ and 1.0 × 10³ cfu/100ml with control point value of 0.5 × 10³ respectively. The mean Total Bacteria Count was 3.0 × 10⁴, 2.1 × 10³, 1.1 × 10³ and 0.8 × 10³ cfu/100ml respectively with control point value of 0.2 × 10³ while the mean values for Total E. coli Count were 1.1 × 10², 3.0 × 10², 4 × 10³ and 2.0 × 10³ cfu/100ml with control point value of 0.2 × 10³. The biochemical identification of some organisms in water was Escherichia coli, Vibro spp., Klebsiella spp., and Entrobacteria spp. The result of stream sediment samples indicates that the mean Total Bacterial Count was 3.5 × 10⁴, 5.0 × 10⁴, 6.5 × 10⁴ and 2.0 × 10⁴ cfu/g respectively with 1.5 × 10² as control point value and that of Total Coliform Count was 6.5 × 10³, 2.0 × 10³, 2.5 × 10³ and 0.8 × 10³ cfu/g respectively with control point value of 0.5 × 10². While for the Total E. coli Count, the values were 2.5 × 10³, 1.0 × 10³, 2.5 × 10³ and 0.5 × 10⁵ cfu/g respective with control as 0.5 × 10². Biochemical identification of some organisms in sediments includes: Escherichia coli, Vibro spp., Klebsiella spp., Entrobacteria spp. and Bacillus spp. The mean total bacterial count, total coli form count and total E. coli, were not in conformity with both World Health Organisation (WHO, 2011) Standard for drinking water and Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) 2006 standard for soil and thus constitute a threat to the River; these are attributed to waste dumps and anthropogenic activities around the five stations. The presence of bacteria in water can cause cholera, hepatitis, dysentery and typhoid. The microbial constituents can be reduced by chlorination.

Keywords: Coliforms, E. coli, Bacteria, Otamiri River, Sediments and Chlorination

Cite this paper: Fagorite, V. , Ahiarakwem, C. , Ibeneme, S. , Chinemelu, E. , Ukwajiunor, J. , Abiahu, C. and Poopola, J. (2019) Microbial Assay of Otamiri River and Its Sediments in Parts of Owerri. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 7, 155-166. doi: 10.4236/gep.2019.78011.

References

[1]   Adieze, I. E., Nwosu, C. I., Adieze, N. C., & Nwabueze, R. N. (2016). Effects of Untreated Sewage Effluent on the Water Quality of Otamiri River in Owerri. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology, 30, 3241-3245.

[2]   Ahiarakwem, C. A. (2013). The Impacts of Njoku Sawmill Landfill on the Water Quality of the Otamiri River, Owerri Metropolis, Niger Delta Basin, Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering Inventions, 2, 26-34.
http://www.ijeijournal.com

[3]   Akhionbare, S. M. O. (2009). Concepts, Issues & Control of Pollution (p. 82). Nnewi: MC Computers Press.

[4]   Ananaba, S. E., Onu, N. N., & Iwuagwu, C. J. A. (1993). Geophysical Study of the Gravel Deposits in Ihiagwa, Owerri, Nigeria. Journal of Mining Geology, 29, 95-100.

[5]   Anson, A. E., & Ware, G. C. (1974). Survey of Distribution of Bacterial Pollution in the Bristol Channel. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 37, 657-661.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1974.tb00490.x

[6]   APHA (American Public Health Association) (2012). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (22nd ed.). Washington DC: American Public Health Association.

[7]   Chessbrough, M. (2002). Laboratory Manual for Tropical Countries. Vol. II. Microbiology ELBS. London: Tropical Health Technology and Butterworth.

[8]   Duru, M. K. C., Nwanekwu, K. E., Adindu, E. A., & Odika, P. C. (2012). Heavy Metal and Bioload Levels of Otamiri River, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Scholars Research Library Archives of Applied Science Research, 4, 1002-1006.

[9]   Egereonu, U. U., & Ibe, R. M. (1999). Ground Water Quality Investigations in the Niger Delta Area and Parts of the Eastern States of Nigeria. Environmental Analar, 4, 259-267.

[10]   Egereonu, U. U., Ukiwe, L. N., Edet, J. A., & Ogukwe, C. E. (2012). Investigation of Pollution Index of Oramiriukwa, Nworie and Otamiri Rivers, Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 37, 25-29.

[11]   Fagorite, V. I., Ahiarakwem, C. A., Okeke, O. C., & Onyekuru, S. O. (2019). Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Otamiri River and Its Sediments in Parts of Owerri Elixir Geology. Elixir International Journal, 131, 53223-53229.
http://www.elixirpublishers.com

[12]   Feresu, S. B., & Vansickle, J. (1990). Coliforms as a Measure of Sewage Contamination of the River Zambezi. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 68, 397-403.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1990.tb02890.x

[13]   Ihenyen, A. E., & Aghimien, A. E. (2002). A Study of Trace Heavy Metal Levels in Warri Soils and Vegetables, Southern Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Pollution Health, 1, 72-82.

[14]   Kora, A. J., Rastogia, L., Kumara, S. J., & Jagatap, B. N. (2017). Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Screening of Hussain Sagar Lake: An Urban Wetland. Water Science Direct, 31, 24-33.
http://www.elsevier.com/locate/wsj
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsj.2017.03.003

[15]   Mgbemena, I. C., Nnokwe, J. C., Adjeroh, L. A., & Onyemekara, N. N. (2012). Resistance of Bacteria Isolated from Otamiri River to Heavy Metals and Some Selected Antibiotics. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4, 551-556.

[16]   Rheinheimer, G. (1991). Aquatic Microbiology (4th ed., p. 363). New York: John Wiley and Sons.

[17]   WHO (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality (4th ed., pp. 155-202). Geneva: WHO.

[18]   Wikipedia (2019). Standard Plate Methods.
https://iied21.hccs.edu/JyotiW/BiologyLabs/Micro/04CountingBacteria/SPC_milk_Quiz/mobile_
pages/index.html