Research Article Open Access

BACTERIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL MONITORING OF QUA-IBOE RIVER RESOURCES OF EKET COMMUNITY, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The need to establish a broad base environmental monitoring and toxicological assessment of contaminants on water resources and public health gave rise to this investigation. Environmental contaminants monitoring is one of the key issues in understanding and managing hazards to human health and ecosystems. In many ways our modern day 'pollution wonder-environment' has turned into a contamination nightmare, and few examples are more startling than those caused by pathogens and other associated microorganisms. In this study, River water resources of Qua-Iboe River in Eket Community of Akwa Ibom State, was analysed. The analysed include biochemical, physicochemical and bacteriological quality. The results revealed that pH ranged from 4.66 to 7.51 with mean temperature 18 to 23 °C. Other physicochemical parameters including, biochemical oxygen demand, microbial characterization values exceeded the recommended level for surface water quality. Results of Bacteriological analyses such as total heterotrophic count, total coliform and thermo tolerant coliform counts revealed high degree of faecal pollution of the River. The microorganisms, Serratia liquefaciens, Proteus vulgaris, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were detected. It’s inferred that the Qua-Iboe River is polluted, bacteriologically contaminated and unsafe for human and animal consumption. Key words: aquatic pollution, bacteriological quality, water contamination, surface water monitoring and biosafety.

OKPASHI VICTOR E, OGUGUA VICTOR N, CHIKEBUIKE SAMUEL U, EZIKE TOBECHUKWU C AND OBUEGBE CHIAMAKA G

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