ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF IMO RIVER

ABSTRACT

In this study, water samples were collected and analyzed for physiochemical and microbiological evaluation of pollution in Imo River, Imo State, Nigeria. This was geared towards evaluating the microbiological contaminants of the river. The microbiological analysis and physicochemical parameters were studied in July, 2015 using three sample collected at weekly intervals for five weeks. The technique used was spread plate method in which the samples were diluted and a small aliquot (0.1ml) was transferred to an agar plate and distributed evenly over the surface by a special streaking technique. The water pH was found to range from 6.61 to 7.31 and with a mean temperature range of 26.01 to 28.110C other physicochemical parameters monitored including, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen turbidity, colour, salinity, conductivity, total acidity and some heavy metals. Heterotrophic bacteria isolated include Escherchia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus faecalis, and Salmonella spp. On the first and the fifth day, large number of colonies was developed (92 colonies) while the least number of colonies was developed on the second day (34 colonies). The antibiotic discs were used to ascertain the various antibiotic that can be used for therapeutic purpose. The observation shows that the Imo River is not safe for drinking without treatment according to the WHO international standard for drinking water.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ﾿ i

Certification ﾿ ii

Dedication ﾿ iii

Acknowledgement ﾿ iv

Table of Contents ﾿ v

List of Tables ﾿ viii

List of Figures ﾿ ix

Abstract ﾿ x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 ﾿ Introduction ﾿ 1

1.1 ﾿ Justification of the Study ﾿ 2

1.2 ﾿ Objective of the Study ﾿ 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 ﾿ Literature Review ﾿ 4

2.1 ﾿ Surface Water ﾿ 6

2.2 ﾿ Microbiological Analysis of Water ﾿ 7

2.3 ﾿ Indicator Organism ﾿ 8

2.3.1 ﾿ Vibrio Cholerae ﾿ 8

2.3.2 ﾿ Escherichia coli ﾿ 9

2.3.3 ﾿ Salmonella typhi ﾿ 10

2.4 ﾿ Fecal Streptococci ﾿ 10

2.5 ﾿ Enterobacter Aerogenes ﾿ 11

2.6 ﾿ Analytical Methods for Microbiological Water Quality Testing ﾿ 11

2.7 ﾿ Cultivation Techniques ﾿ 11

2.8 ﾿ Evaluation of the Method for Enumerating Coliforms ﾿ 12

2.9 ﾿ Standard Plate Count ﾿ 13

2.10 ﾿ Physical Properties of Water ﾿ 14

2.11 ﾿ Chemical Properties of Water ﾿ 15

2.12 ﾿ Physicochemical Properties of Water ﾿ 17

2.13 ﾿ Hardness of Water ﾿ 18

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 ﾿ Materials and Methods ﾿ 19

3.1 ﾿ Area of Study ﾿ 19

3.2 ﾿ Sample Collection ﾿ 19

3.3 ﾿ Preparation of Culture Media ﾿ 19

3.3.1 ﾿ Nutrient Agar ﾿ 19

3.3.2 ﾿ MacConkey Agar ﾿ 20

3.3.3 ﾿ Potato Dextrose Agar ﾿ 20

3. 4 ﾿ Inoculations ﾿ 20

3.5 ﾿ Incubation ﾿ 20

3.6 ﾿ Purification ﾿ 21

3.7 ﾿ Identification and Characteristics of Isolates ﾿ 21

3.7.1 ﾿ Cultural Examination ﾿ 21

3.7.2 ﾿ Microscopic Examination ﾿ 21

3.7.3 ﾿ Gram Staining ﾿ 21

3.7.4 ﾿ Biochemical Test ﾿ 22

3.8 ﾿ Method for the Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water ﾿ 24

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 ﾿ Results ﾿ 28

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 ﾿ Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation ﾿ 34

5.1 ﾿ Discussion ﾿ 34

5.2 ﾿ Conclusion ﾿ 36

5.3 ﾿ Recommendation ﾿ 36

References