Journal Article

Prevalence of Enteric (Escherichia coli) and Physico-chemical Properties of River Sediments in Lapai, Niger State

Abstract

The isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli associated with river sediments in Lapai Local Government area Niger State were assessed. Three sediments samples from rivers (Ndakotsu = NR, Yoruba= YR, and waterboard = WB) were collected from different locations labeled SD1 (10cm), SD2 (20cm) and SD3 (30cm) depth, and analyzed bacteriologically using standard methods. Results showed that more than 80% of sediments examined were contaminated with E. coli and this bacterium was identified based on it morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. Total heterotrophic bacteria count from river sediment samples showed that NR (6.14 – 6.32 log10 cfu/ml) had the highest hetrotrophic bacterial load, followed by the YR (5.59 – 6.00 log10 cfu/ml) and the least was the WB (5.75 – 5.96 log10 cfu/ml). The total E. coli load from river sediment showed that WB (4.80 – 4.40 log10 cfu/ml) had the highest E. coli load, followed by the YR (4.48 – 3.90 log10 cfu/ml) and NR sediments had no E. coli isolated from it. Total enteric organism load from river sediments showed that WB (5.22 – 4.98 log10 cfu/ml) had the highest enteric load followed by YR (5.20 – 4.67 log10 cfu/ml) and the least was NR (4.90 – 4.84 log10 cfu/ml). Statistical analyses of the data showed that depth (10 -30 cm) of the sediments had no significant impact on the prevalence and population of E. coli profile. Considering the pathogenic nature of the isolates and data profile observed in this study, it is concluded that all the assessed water bodies were unfit for domestic purpose; hence require treatment prior usage

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