Bacteriological and Physicochemical Impact of Effluents from Ebonyi Fertilizer and Chemical Plant on Azuiyiokwu Creek

M V Agah ,C O Ukaegbu ,A U Nnachi ,C C Onochie ,Obinna Elijah Nworie ,Onyinyechi Udu-Ibiam ,O S Chukwu ,Akuma Oji ,Chiamaka Lynda Ani

doi:10.12691/jaem-2-4-7

M V Agah , C O Ukaegbu + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.12691/jaem-2-4-7

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Publication Date: Jan 23, 2014

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The health and environmental hazards associated with water body contamination by industrial effluents cannot be over emphasized. This study investigated the bacteriological and physicochemical qualities of effluents from Ebonyi Fertilizer and Chemical Plant and the impact on Azuiyiokwu Creek, located in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria between May, 2010 and March, 2011. Standard microbiological techniques were used for the isolation and identification of microbial isolates. The physicochemical parameters detected from all the samples investigated include pH, Ca, Cu, Pb, Ni, As, Al, Hg, Co, Zn, Fe, Cr, Na, P, Mg, and Mn. The study shows that the concentrations of the metals were constantly higher in fertilizer effluents, than Azuiyiokwu Creek and the control. There was a significant difference (P≤0.05) in concentration of metals between fertilizer effluents, Azuiyiokwu and the Control Creeks. The results also show that metallic contaminations of Azuiyiokwu Creek could be as a result of the infiltration of effluents from Ebonyi Fertilizer and Chemical Plant into Azuiyiokwu Creek. The study revealed higher bacterial load in the Ebonyi Fertilizer and Chemical plant effluents than Azuiyiokwu and Control Creeks. There was a significant difference (P≤ 0.05) in the microbial counts between the Control and Azuiyiokwu Creek. Bacteria genera encountered in this study include: Staphylococcus, Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Escherichia, Salmonella, Vibrio and Aeromonas. This shows that the effluents received by Azuiyiokwu creek have low bacteriological and physicochemical qualities and the range of microorganisms isolated in this study raise more serious concern about the public health implications. This reflects the possible pathetic condition of most water bodies in Nigeria. Therefore, adequate measures should be put in place to help ameliorate the deplorable state of our water bodies.

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