Indicators Of Water Contamination Research Articles

Analysis of coliform bacteria contamination in drinking water refill in Ambon City

In recent years, refillable drinking water businesses have grown rapidly in several cities in Indonesia, including Ambon City. On the one hand, Refillable Drinking Water Depots (DAMIU) support efforts to realize a healthy society by expanding the reach of clean water consumption, On the other hand, DAMIU tend to be problematic when faced with business interests. Feces contain coliform bacteria which is an indicator of water contamination. This study aims to determine the presence of coliform bacteria in Ambon City. The samples used in the study came from three sub-districts of refill drinking water depot sources, namely the Teluk Dalam sub-district, Nusaniwe sub-district, and Baguala sub-district. Microbiological testing of refill drinking water using MPN (most probable number) method. The MPN test results showed that three refill drinking water samples were not contaminated with coliform bacteria because there was no turbidity or gas formation in the Durham tube for gas-forming bacteria. This indicates that the three refill drinking water samples tested microbiologically have good quality and are safe for consumption, because in 100 ml of water no coliform bacteria were found in accordance with Permenkes No. 492/Menkes/Per/IX/2010 regulations on the requirements and supervision of water quality, which states that the microbiological requirements for drinking water are MPN Coliform /100 ml sample = 0. There are no coliform bacteria in the refillable drinking water depot in Ambon City so the water is suitable for consumption

Bacterial Assessment and Isolation of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria from the Indian Major Carp, Labeo rohita

A bacteriological study of fish is critical to protecting people from potential hazards and serving as an indicator of water contamination. The study was carried out to investigate microorganisms from the Labeo rohita. A total bacterial load was measured in the skin, gills, and intestine. It had a total bacterial load (TBL) of 1.54×109 CFU/g on average. The intestine had the highest average TBL of 2.09×109 CFU/g, while the gill had the lowest average TBL of 1.08×109 CFU/g. Isolated bacteria were grouped based on colony characteristics and then subjected to morphological, physiological, and biochemical analysis for identification up to the genus or species level. Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio spp. were identified as the two microorganisms. After a thorough examination and PCR analysis, the two bacteria, S. aureus and Vibrio spp., were isolated. S. aureus was detected in skin samples from R3 and R5 fish. S. aureus was isolated from R3, R4, and R5 in the gills. S. aureus was found in intestinal samples R2, R3, R4, and R5. The presence of Vibrio spp. was found in the intestines of all fish samples tested, as well as the skin of R4 and R5, and the gills of R2, R3, R4, and R5. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified in all S. aureus isolates, while the Tox-R gene was amplified in all Vibrio spp isolates. The isolated S. aureus and Vibrio tested positive for the 16s rRNA and Tox-R genes, respectively. An antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that the majority of S. aureus and Vibrio spp were susceptible to azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline but resistant to amoxicillin and streptomycin.

3D printable self-propelling sensors for the assessment of water quality via surface tension

Water contamination is a serious global challenge and an on-site and out-of-lab method of assessment of contamination level is highly needed. In this study, we report the potential of using printable and biodegradable propelling sensors as indicators of water contamination in sewage wastewater. We used reactive 3D inkjet printing technology to fabricate self-propelling sensors which can quickly indicate the lowering of surface tension value caused by sewage contamination, and other surface tension lowering pollutants. The Z-shaped sensors were fabricated, with the dimensions of 2.0 ​mm at the longest side and 0.1 ​mm in thickness, from regenerated silk fibroin which is an environmentally friendly and biodegradable material. Inkjet printing has the advantage of high resolution and precise deposition of materials allowing the fabrication of small millimetre-sized sensors doped with a surface tension modifying polymer which acts as the ‘fuel’ to drive the sensors on the water surface via surface tension gradient. Our results showed that the sensor's propulsion velocity decay rate is an excellent metric to indicate the presence and approximate level of sewage contamination.

Assessing the quality of water used for vegetable irrigation in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

This paper assesses water quality that is used for vegetable irrigation in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. A mixed-method of research design was employed in this study to collect and analyze the data based on survey instruments. The paper found that Escherichia coli (E. coli) that is usually used as an indicator of water contamination and heavy metals exist in all taken water samples. The mean concentrations of nutrients such as ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate were recorded as 0.022 mg/l to 5.98 mg/l for ammonia, 1.06 mg/l to 7.52 mg/l for nitrate, 0.031 mg/l to 0.056 mg/l for nitrate and 0.037 mg/l to 0.069 mg/l for phosphate. E. coli and Total Coliforms levels for Sanghani, Kamina and Waterworks from the laboratory analysis were recorded as 3.2 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 5.5 × 102 CFU 100 m/l, 4.0 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 1 × 102 CFU 100 m/l, and 2.1 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 4.6 × 102 CFU 100 m/l respectively. To conclude, based on the measured parameters, water used for irrigation in the Tamale Metropolitan is polluted and may cause potential health risks. Therefore, farmers, traders and consumers need to apply further safety measures to make the vegetables safe.

Colorimetric and Electrochemical Detection of Escherichia coli and Antibiotic Resistance Based on a p-Benzoquinone-Mediated Bioassay.

The facile and economical identification of pathogenic bacteria, especially their antibiotic-resistance, is crucial in the realm of human health and safety. The presence of Escherichia coli ( E. coli) is considered as an indicator of water contamination and is closely related to human health. Herein, inspired by the biocatalysis of bacterial surfaces, we developed a simple and cost-effective colorimetric- and electrochemical-based bioassay that is capable of analyzing both the presence of E. coli and its relative level of antibiotic resistance. In this approach, p-benzoquinone is used as a redox mediator to monitor the bacterial concentration and specifically distinguish E. coli from four other common clinical bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus), Enterococcus faecalis ( E. faecalis), Salmonella pullorum ( S. pullorum), and Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans). A visible color change, captured with a smartphone using a "light box", without relying on any complex instruments, can reflect the concentration of bacteria. The accurate quantification of E. coli was investigated with an electrochemical system in the concentration ranges of 1.0 × 103 to 1.0 × 109 CFU/mL. We further demonstrated the capability of the presented biosensor in identifying drug-resistant bacteria with two artificially induced antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, the presented bioassay is not only capable of detecting E. coli with high sensitivity and specificity but also provides a rapid solution to evaluate E. coli antibiotic resistance.

Teor de nitrato em águas subterrâneas da região metropolitana de Fortaleza, Ceará: um Alerta

Diante do quadro de escassez hídrica em regiões de clima semiárido como é o caso do Estado do Ceará, a exploração de água subterrânea é uma importante medida para abastecimento da população, porém, ações antropogênicas podem comprometer a sua qualidade. Considerando, que o íon nitrato é utilizado mundialmente como indicador de contaminação e que teores de nitrato acima de 10 mg/L N-NO3 acarretam danos à saúde, o presente trabalho objetivou analisar o teor de nitrato em águas subterrâneas da Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza (CE). Por meio de método de espectrofotometria na região do visível foram analisadas 37 amostras de águas subterrâneas oriundas das cidades de Aquiraz, Caucaia, Pacatuba, Horizonte, Eusébio e Fortaleza (CE). As amostras coletadas foram analisadas por profissionais do laboratório da Superintendência Estadual do Meio Ambiente - SEMACE. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que 37,8% das amostras estão em desacordo a legislação nacional em vigor. Os resultados corroboram estudos que apontam elevados teores do íon nitrato encontrados em regiões densamente urbanizadas, como é o caso da Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza (CE), por tanto, o déficit do serviço de esgotamento sanitário seria uma das causas para a presença dessa contaminação.

Assessment of Water Pollution in Different Aquatic Systems: Aquifers, Aquatic Farms on the Jamapa River, and Coastal Lagoons of Mexico

Agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and aquiculture have caused negative impacts to rivers, ground waters, and coastal lagoon systems as well as to associated systems. The objective of this study was to determine pollutant concentrations in groundwater from surface wells or water wheels in aquatic farms located along the river, and in lagoon systems, located in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and their possible risks for human health. Concentrations of nitrates, total coliforms (TC), and Vibrio sp. were determined as well as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH. The results showed that some values of physical, chemical and biological parameters in groundwater and different aquatic systems were beyond the levels established by the Mexican official norm. Farm effluents had TC levels higher than 2419 MPN 100 mL-1 and dissolved oxygen was at a minimum value of 1.7 mg L-1, concentrations beyond the fixed standards. Likewise, the presence of Vibrio sp. was detected in lagoon systems, which is an indicator of water contamination. We conclude that the impact of production activities leads to human health risks.

Effects of in vivo and in vitro Zinc and Cadmium Treatment on Sperm Steroidogenesis of the African Catfish Clarias gairepinus

The aim of present research to study the effects of in vitro and in vivo exposure of catfish to heavy metals to determine whether the steroidogenic activity in sperm would be affected by two heavy metals contaminants, zinc and cadmium. Three groups of six male African catfish were fed from the sexually immature juvenile stage, with diet containing 1000 ppm zinc, cadmium or zinc + cadmium for 110 days and 20alphaHSD activity in milt of these fish were compared with six other control fish fed with normal diet. The 20alphaHSD enzyme activity was also measured in in vitro incubation of milt from six control fish with different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1,3, 10, 30, 100, 1000 and 3000 ppm) of zinc, cadmium or zinc + cadmium. A very high 20alphahydroxy steroid dehydrogenase enzyme activity was found in all sperm incubations of African catfish. This enzyme converts 17-hydroxy progesterone (17P) substrate to 17,20alpha-dihydroxy progesterone (17, 20alphaP) product and the rate of enzyme activity is related to substrate (17P) concentrations. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in enzyme activity in converting 17P to 17,20alphaP were found between in vitro incubations of sperm with different concentrations of zinc, cadmium or zinc + cadmium and control group (0 ppm). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in enzyme activity and 17,20alphaP production were found between fish fed with diet containing 1000 ppm zinc or cadmium and the group fed with diet containing 1000 ppm zinc + cadmium and control groups. The results showed that 20alphaHSD enzyme activities in fish sperm may be used as indicator of water contamination with heavy metals and their bioaccumulations in testis of aquatic animals.