Evaluation of the Physicochemical Properties and Ecological Distribution of Enterobacteriaceae in Sediments of Two Surface Watersheds in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Igbinosa IH, Chigor VN
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The assessment of the bottom sediment properties is vital to the health of an aquatic ecosystem, environmental water quality and the related constituents of freshwater environment. This study was aimed at assessing the physicochemical quality of the sediment of two fresh water ecosystems and the ecological distribution of Enterobacteraceae. Sediment samples were collected from Ikpoba and Ogba rivers, in Benin City, Nigeria. Chromocult coliform agar, Heakton agar and m-Endo agar were used for the detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella isolates and total coliform respectively, as representative of Enterobacteraceae family. The population density of Salmonella, E. coli isolates and coliform ranged between 6.33×102±0.00 and 4.36×103±0.61 cfu/g, 0.00±0.00 and 2.46×103±0.09 cfu/g, and 6.66×101±0.18 and 2.13×103±0.39 cfu/g respectively. The physicochemical variables of the river sediment range as follows: pH (4.8±0.02 - 5.3±0.01), electrical conductivity (143±1.25 - 210±1.19 ?S/cm), organic compound (0.76±0.02 - 1.23±0.10 %), exchangeable acidity (0.7±0.01 - 1.2±0.03 meq/g), chloride (35.3±0.68 - 54.5±0.46 mg/kg), nitrate (3.00±0.21 - 6.11±0.11 mg/kg), sulphate (0.44±0.00 - 0.70±0.03 mg/kg), clay (5.3±0.01 - 8.8±0.01 %), silt (1.6±0.01 - 3.0±0.02 %), sand (89.0±0.01 - 93.5±0.00 %). The study presents baseline data of the physicochemical properties and the distribution of Enterobacteriaceae in sediment which could form a valuable tool for ecological assessment and surveillance of health of the rivers.
Affiliations: Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Keywords: Sediment, Pollution, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella Isolates, River Quality
Published date: 2019/06/30
