Microbial Screening of Groundwater and Surface Water in Agricultural Region Surrounding Al-Madina Al-Monawara

Abstract

As a result of various human uses of water, the diseases, associated with the use of contaminated water, would spread due to the presence of toxic chemical elements, in addition to many pathogens in waters that might have been mixed with sewage water or exposed to contamination from various industrial activities near the water source. In this research, (12) different samples were collected from various locations surrounding some farms in Al-Medina Al-Munawwarah area. Samples include underground water (from various wells) in addition to some surface water of unknown sources from spaced locations. Microbial initial validity of the use of these waters tested to investigate the presence of E. coli, and fecal bacteria. The results indicated contamination with E. coli, and fecal bacteria in the surface waters of unknown origin. The results also showed similar contamination in well water samples. These results indicated a variation in the rate of the Most Probable Number (MPN) of bacteria in the wells' samples, in contrast with samples of surface water. The Cd2+,Cr 3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, As 3- Ions were determined. It turned out from the chemical test results that all ions of the toxic aforementioned elements were at low concentrations in comparison with the recommended standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), but the salinity in all samples was relatively high, in addition to the elevated ratio of iron ions. Based on the results of analysis of these samples, surface and wells' waters were contaminated with E. coli, and fecal bacteria. While the chemical analysis of the samples indicated a lower level of contamination with the toxic elements, the salinity was higher and the content of iron ions was elevated.