Microbiological Evaluation of Water and Chemical Composition of Fish and Sediment in Surface Water

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities is the major source of organic and inorganic contaminants carried by surface runoffs and fluvial transport to aquatic bodies. The building-up of these contaminants can make water bodies unfit for inhabitation of living organisms as well as man that relied on these resources. Thus, this study analyzed the microbiological content of water and chemical composition of fish and sediment collected at four distinct stations in River Benue using standard methods. The results indicated that highest levels of nitrite (0.01±0.00–5.10±0.14 mg/L), nitrate (1.01±0.01–3.75±0.07 mg/L), and Na (17.15±2.21–186.10±10.14 mg/L) in cat fish gills exceeded FAO/WHO standard. The highest values of bacteria load (2.61 x 10⁷ CFU/ml), fungal counts (2.41 x 10⁴ CFU/ml), coliform load (25.02 x 10² CFU/ml) and fecal coliform load (17.06 x 10³ CFU/ml) were recorded at Wurukun abattoir station. Five bacterial isolates belonging to the genera were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillis, Salmonella sp and three fungal isolates: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., and Fusarium sp were observed. Sixty percent were Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella sp.) while 40 % were Gram positive (Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtillis). Prolong consumption of water and cat fish from River Benue may have adverse effects on people of Benue State as well as commuters (travelers) that buy fish as they traverse Benue State to other parts of the country. It is recommended that the abattoir should be relocated to an area that is not in proximity to River Benue so as to reduce the level of organic pollutants entering River Benue and people living along the banks should be enlightened on the danger associated with defecating and/or disposing domestic waste into river to reduce building up of potentially pathogenic bacteria and harmful fungus.