ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the bacteriological investigation of pond water quality from Abia state, Nigeria. From the study, a total of 24 bacteria isolates comprising of 6 different species of bacteria were isolated which includes Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, and Proteus mirabilis.The total viable bacterial counts of pond water samples from this study ranges from 1.4x105 cfu/ml to 4.7 x105 cfu/ml. Total heterotrophic plate count ranges from 2.6x105 cfu/ml to 3.7 x105 cfu/ml. Total coliform plate count ranges from 1.8x105 cfu/ml to 4.7 x105 cfu/ml. Total Staphylococcus plate count ranges from 1.7x105 cfu/ml to 2.8 x105 cfu/ml. Total Salmonella Shigella plate count ranges from 1.4x105 cfu/ml to 2.9 x105 cfu/ml.From the findings in this study, it was observed that Escherichia coli is the most frequently occurring isolates with a percentage occurrence of (25.0%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi with a percentage occurrence of (20.8%), Shigella flexneri, and Proteus mirabilis with a percentage occurrence of (12.5%) and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (8.3%). From the results of this investigation, there’s need to monitor the water quality from time to time to detect the actual source of contamination and also to pass the water through a form of treatment to prevent epidemic outbreak, There’s need for pre- treatment before use for domestic purposes. The physiochemical analysis of the different pond water samples was also checked. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in mean count of the locally made cream samples at P< 0.05.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

Abstract viii

1.0 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Formation of Pond 2

1.3 Characteristics of Ponds 3

1.4 Pollution of Ponds 4

1.5 Effects of Pond Water on the Environment 5

1.5.1 Foul Odour 5

1.7 Life That Are Found In Pond Water 6

1.8 Types of Pond 6

1.8.1 Minipond 7

1.8.2 Wildlife Pond 7

1.8.3 Fish Pond 7

1.9 Some Items That Can Be Found In Pond Water 7

1.10 Some places where Pond water can be found in Abia StateEspecially 

In Umuahia and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike 8                                             

1.11 Aims and Objectives 8

1.11.1 Objectives 8

2.0 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature 9

2.2 Bacteriological Investigation of Pond Water Quality 10

2.3 Microorganisms Found In Water 11

2.4 Pools of Water; a Health Risk 12

3.0 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Materials and Methods 13

3.2 Study Area 13

3.3 Materials 13

3.4    Methods 13

3.5      Samples Collection 14

3.6 Processing of Samples 14

3.7 Sterilization of Materials 15

3.8 Media Preparation 15

3.9 Microbiological Studies 15

3.9.1 Preparation of sample and inoculation of samples 15

3.9.2 Isolation 15

3.9.3 Total Coliforms 16

3.10 Biochemical Identification of Bacterial Isolates 16

3.10.1 Gram Staining 16

3.10.2 Catalase Test 17

3.10.3 Citrate Test 17

3.10.4 Oxidase Test 17

3.10.5 Indole Test 18

3.10.6 Methyl Red Test (MR) 18

3.10.7 Voges-Proskauer Test (VP) 18

3.10.8 Motility Test 18

3.10.9 Determination of Occurrence 19

3.11 Physico-Chemical Analysis 19

3.11.1 pH Determination 19

3.11.2 Temperature 20

3.11.3 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 20

3.11.4 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 20

3.11.5 Carbon Oxygen Demand (COD) 20

3.12 Statistical Analysis 20

4.0 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Results 22

5.0 CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation 28

5.1.1 Discussion 28

5.1.2 Conclusion 30

5.1.3 Recommendation 30

References 31