INVESTIGATING MICROBIAL LOADING ALONG THE FLOODPLAIN OF RIVER BENUE AT YOLA, NIGERIA
Microbial loading is a challenge in seasonal variations of Total coliform count (TCC), Feacal coliform count (FCC) and Escherichia coliform (E.coli)in surface water along the River Benue floodplain Yola. The microbial loadings were determined using Membrane Filtration (MF) medium, m-ColiBlue24 Broth. Analytical findings revealed that the water was polluted with FCC and E.coli which were more during the rainy season than the dry season. It was also discovered that the pH of the waterin the rainy season was (3.9),soil (4.6), while in the dry season water the pH of water was (5.3), soil (6.9) which showed that the floodplain was more acidic in the rainy than dry season. This affirmed that humid environment favour pathogen survival, dry environment facilitates pathogen die-off. Acidic environments (soil/water) favour longer survival of pathogens while alkaline environments were associated with rapid die-off.The leafy vegetable also accumulated these microbesin the study area. This implies that long consumption of leafy vegetable from this area most especially in the dry season especially vegetables that can be eaten raw is unsafe. Statistically it was also proven that there is significant difference in the bacterial accumulation in soil and crops grown in the dry and rainy season in the study area.Regular monitoring and further research is recommended to prevent build up of microbes in food chain.
Authors : Burmamu, B.R. and Jedison, C.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 8(2) Date Uploaded : 28th January 2023