Pollution studies on harbours and jetties in Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of bacteria in the surface waters and sediment of selected harbours and landing jetties in the city of Port Harcourt was investigated. Nine water and sediments samples were allocated on each trip and cultured for various organisms on the rainy and dry season. The total heterotrophic count of the water sample in the dry season ranged between 33 ± 7.4 and 62 ± 6.1 and between 38 ± 7.1 and 62 ± 19 CFU/ml in the rainy season. In the case of sediment samples, the THC of the dry season ranged between 31 ± 8.1 and 54 ± 20 CFU/g, while the count in the rainy season ranged between 24 ± 1.9 and 54 ± 19 CFU/g. Of the Vibrio species isolated, 3 (60%) were found to be Vibrio cholerae, while 2 (40%) were Vibrio parahaemolyticus, four isolates were also identified as Salmonella species. The high distribution of the bacteria which is of public health importance in the harbours/jetties, indicates pollution. Physiochemical parameters such as alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, chloride, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and heavy metal were investigated and showed significantly high values, which indicates pollution of the harbour.

Key words: Bacteria, Port Harcourt, Vibrio.