DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjer.v13i1.3 GLOBAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH VOL 13, 2014: 21-34 COPYRIGHT© BACHUDO SCIENCE CO. LTD PRINTED IN NIGERIA. ISSN 1596-292x 21 www.globaljournalseries.com; [email protected] ANALYSIS OF COLIFORM BACTERIA IN WSPs AT ALSCON USING MACCONKEY BROTH AND LOCALLY MADE SOLUTION E. C. UKPONG AND UDECHUKWU JOHN ABARAUGU ABSTRACT Enumeration of coliform bacteria in wastewater was carried out by comparing between imported Macconkey broth solution and the locally prepared solution type. Wastewater samples were obtained from four Waste Stabilization ponds (WSPs) at the Aluminium smelting company located at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The results of the Analysis showed that the imported media yielded higher numbers of coliform bacteria per 100ml, as compared to the locally prepared media. Two methods where used for this analysis namely: the membrane Filtration Technique (MFT) and the Multiple Tube Technique (MTT). The MFT was more precise, simple and faster in enumerating coliofrm bacteria per 100ml as compared with the MTT method. The two methods (MTT and MFT) was used to determine the amount of coliform present in two different samples each of locally male solution and imported Macckonkey broth solution. The Average results obtained for sample 1 from the MTT method for ponds 01 to ponds 04 respectively for locally made solution are 255.75, 268,271.25, and 262, while that from imported solution are 293.75, 312, 317, and 2995. also the average result from MFT for locally made solution are 246, 260.5, 257.5 and 247.5; while that for imported solution is 265.25, 282, 278, and 267.75 all in multiples of 1000. For sample 2, the results obtained from MTT method from ponds 1 to 4 for locally mixed solution are 178.25, 192.5, 184.5 and 177.5, while that of imported macConkey broth solution are 158, 167, 5, 171.25 and 162. Also that of MFT for locally mixed solution are 206.25, 227,206.25 and 211.75, while that of imported macConkey solution are. 186,201.75, 187.5 and 187.5 all in multiples of 1000 per 100ml the other average results from pond 1 to 4 are obtained from the different compartments of each pond, this includes the pH of sample (6.853, 6.6.55, 6.378 and 6.918), The TDS (81.125, 98.25, 116.575, and 129.010), the DO (2.893, 2.585, 2.58, and 2.798), the BOD (1.748, 1.435, 1.430, and 1.648), The COD (98, 115.25, 124,70 and 131.160), conductivity (162.7, 197, 233.4 and 258.05), and Temperature in celcius (28.25, 29.145, 29.155, 28.685). KEYWORDS: Total Coliform, waste stabilization pond, bacteria, wastewater and Macconkey broth. INTRODUCTION Indicator organisms are bacteria such as non-specific coliforms, Esherichia Coli and This analysis involves the determination Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are very of physical, chemical and biological commonly found in the human or animal gut and characteristics of the wastewater samples at the which, if detected, may suggest the presence of Aluminum smelting company located at Ikot sewage. Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom Indicator organisms are used because State. The primary analysis is for indicator even when a person is infected with more organisms rather than the pathogens that might pathogenic bacteria, they will still be excreting cause concern. many millions times more indicator organisms E. C. Ukpong, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. Udechukwu John Abaraugu, Department of Civil Engineering , Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. 22 E. C. UKPONG AND UDECHUKWU JOHN ABARAUGU Bacteria in wastewater are generally positive for total coliforms indicates changes in classified in different ways, but the coliform the quality of the water and a need for follow-up bacteria in wastewater are often described as action to be initiated. In residential scale systems being aerobic (needing oxygen), anaerobic (not where there is little or no distribution system, needing oxygen) and facultative (can survive in presence of any total coliforms should trigger the presence or absence of oxygen). Other follow-up actions to investigate the cause of the systems of classification include their shapes, positive results. which could be spherical, rod shaped, bent, or Since the wastewater from the WSPs are curved shapes. sources of fecal contamination to both surface However, bacteria are unicellular plants and underground water. It becomes very varying in size from 0.5 to 3 microns, and without pertinent to check the degree of treatment at the chlorophyll. They take soluble food and convert it ponds before it discharges into either the surface into new cells. Reproduction is by binary fission or underground waters to contaminate it. (Agnawamba, 2001). Bacteria are sensitive to pH and temperature. 1.3. Objective of the Study Testing for the presence of coliforms is To determine the presence and degree of the standard way to indicate the possible pathogen in the WSPs at ALSCON since additional presence of more harmful pathogens in most pathogens that can contaminate food, beverages and water. While some of these water supplies come from the feces of “indicate bacteria” are frequently present in our humans or animals. everyday lives to a certain extent, they Reduce the cost of testing for the themselves usually only cause issue when they pathogens since coliform test is reach elevated numbers, such as with considerably very cheap compared to Escherichia Coli bacteria. It is present in most other methods of testing for pathogens. warmblooded animals including people, and Reducing the time as well as making the exists harmlessly in most cases. When numbers test for pathogens simplier by the use of elevate, or certain strains are introduced imported macckonkey broth, this also however, this is when illness is more likely to enhances the accuracy of results occur. produced for the coliform test as compared with the locally made solution 1.2. Significant Of Coliforms in used for tests of coliform. Wastewater Monitoring for total coliforms at the 1.4. Total Coliform (TC) treatment plant and in the distribution and Total coliforms are those bacteria that storage system is carried out to provide can be found everywhere in nature. They could information on the adequacy of drinking water be found in the soil, air and water; hence, they treatment and on the microbial condition of the are not specific to feacal materials only like the distribution system. The presence of total feacal coliforms. Knowledge of total Coliform is coliforms in water or waste water leaving any very important in wastewater treatment as the treatment plant signifies inadequate treatment bacteria degrade the organic waste to biomas has taken place and therefore additional actions (sludge) and water. such as notifying the responsible authorities, Their presence in water indicates that the investigating the cause of the contamination, and water has been contaminated by waste material implementing corrective actions; which could from agricultural waste, run-off, industrial waste, include issuing a boil water advisory. sewage and even dissolved particles from the air. In the distribution and storage system, Their presence in water does not mean that they when water tested immediately post-treatment is cause disease directly but signifies that the water free of total coliforms, indicates water quality has been contaminated and could pose possible degradation, possibly via bacterial regrowth or health threat to individuals. post treatment contamination. In municipal-scale systems, the detection of more than 10% of 1.5. Feacal Coliform (FC) samples in a given sampling period, or of Feacal coliforms are those bacteria that consecutive samples from the same site, that are live in the intestinal tract of man and other warm ANALYSIS OF COLIFORM BACTERIA IN WSPs AT ALSCON USING MACCONKEY BROTH 23 blooded animals. Their presence in water 1.6. Study Area indicates recent feacal contamination of that The wastewater used for this work was water by man or other warmed blooded animals. obtained from the waste stabilization pond of the The most common member of feacal Coliform is Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria the Escherichia coli (E.coli), which is used as (ALSCON), Ikot Abasi. The pond at ALSCON indicator to detect pathogens in the water, since consists of three Facultative ponds, measuring the direct detection of the pathogens is always 150m x 50m x 1.5m in series and a maturation very difficult. Although these bacteria do not pond measuring 120m x 60m x 1.2m. Ikot Abasi cause disease directly but high quantity of it Local Government Area is located in Akwa Ibom suggests the presence of disease causing micro State of Nigeria and is an industrial town with a organisms. population of over 700,000 people. The main occupation of the area is farming. Figure 1 show the map of the Akwa Ibom State showing the study area. 24 E. C. UKPONG AND UDECHUKWU JOHN ABARAUGU Figure: 1: Map of Akwa Ibom State showing Ikot Abasi L.G.A - the study area ANALYSIS OF COLIFORM BACTERIA IN WSPs AT ALSCON USING MACCONKEY BROTH 25 1.7. Characteristics of wastewater The sample was conveyed to the Water is a simple chemical compound laboratory with extreme care and the with a chemical formula of H2O. Most analysis of bacteriological test was carried out within 24 wastewater sample is aimed at determining the hours of the collection of the samples to ensure impurity level and the type of treatment required that the bacteria to be tested for do not die off. for effective purification before it is used. Samples were stored in refrigerator at 4°C to The physical characteristics include; avoid biological activities.