The Bacteriological Quality of Surface Water, Sediments and Selected Fish Species of Tagwai Lake, Minna, Niger State – Nigeria

Abstract

The high contamination of aquatic systems with toxic heavy metals is of major concern since the elements are not biodegradable. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of bacteriological analysis in both surface water and sediment and in selected fish species of Tagwai Lake, Minna, Niger State - Nigeria. Standard methods were used in analyzing for bacteria load. The results showed that bacteria isolated from the surface water samples were as follows: Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholera, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus feacalis, Bacillus megaterim, Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella dysentrea, Streptococcus pyogen and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Total bacteria counts (TBC) recorded ranged from 59.50 to 46.00 106 cfu/ml, while the total coliform, and total faecal coliform counts ranged from 40.00 to 31.50 MPN/100ml and 3.50 to 1.25 x 102 cfu/ml respectively. Also, the total bacteria counts (TBC) ranged from 18.88 to 22.88 106 cfu/ml, while the total coliform, and total fecal coliform counts ranged from 6.63 – 7.63 MPN/100ml and 0.13 – 0.50 x 102 cfu/ml respectively. Total bacteria counts fish species (TBC) ranged from 18.88 to 22.88 106 cfu/ml. There was significance different among the various fish species. The total coliform, and total fecal coliform counts ranged from 6.63 – 7.63 MPN/100ml and 0.13 – 0.50 x 102 cfu/ml respectively. Basically, there was no significance difference (P>0.05) among the various fish species for each of the parameters analyzed. This study therefore, suggested that the water from Tagwai Lake is not potable for human consumption based on high bacteriological quality except when treated using suitable treatment technology such as chlorination and boiling.