PHYSIO-CHEMICAL AND MICROBIAL EVALUATION OF MTU FISH POND WASTE WATER

Abstract

Pollution from pond farm wastewater entering surrounding drainage systems and water bodies is common in the Nigerian community, and might lead to water borne diseases as well as adverse health related problems. This study was designed to assess the presence of Vibrio spp and Escherichia coli in waste water from three Mountain Top University Fish Ponds waste water samples. Identification and characterization of Vibrio spp and E. coli in the waste water samples collected weekly over a period of one month were carried out using morphological, biochemical and molecular tests. In addition, Physico-chemical analysis of the waste water samples was carried out to determine temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels of the water sample. The morphological test shows that vibrio was positive when cultured on TCBS agar and E.coli when cultured on SMAC agar, showing their morphological features, for the biochemical test Vibrio was positive for catalase, oxidase, Starch hydrolysis, and citrate but was negative for Gram staining. At the molecular level, multiplexed PCR showed the presence of Vibrio cholera at 302bp (ompW (Vibrio cholera)-304bp). The physicochemical parameters were within standard permissible limit. These findings suggest that the fish pond effluent contains possible pathogens, therefore it is critical to monitor it quality before disposing it into the ecosystem. The presence of these organisms may be a sign that the water samples has become contaminated, and when expose to human ecosystem could cause certain water-borne disease