Biochemical and physico-chemical characteristics of Majidun River were studied to investigate its microbial composition in relation to bacteria load and physico-chemical parameters. Water samples were weekly collected (October, 2013 – January, 2014) for analysis on total bacterial count, biochemical test and physico-chemical parameters following standard procedures. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance to find out the significant difference of the total microbial load and chemical contaminants in the water body. Total colony forming unit (Cfu) of bacterial in the river was highest in descending order CA > MCA > PCA > MSA and ascending order as MCA < MSA < CA < PCA at the first and second serial dilution respectively. Biochemical test showed the presence of Staphylococcus species, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, Salmonella species and Baccillus species in the river. Physico-chemical parameters mean concentrations was recorded for pH (6.200 ± 0.12 – 6.948 ± 0.08), total alkalinity (9.300 ± 0.03 – 9.352 ± 0.04), TDS (2647.000 ± 12.81 – 2666.000 ± 4.30), salinity (2073.000 ± 22.23 – 2117.000 ± 27.09), conductivity (3.712 ± 0.03 – 3.734 ± 0.03), COD (98.774 ± 0.03 – 98.816 ± 0.03), BOD (25.616 ± 0.04 – 25.634 ± 0.02), DO (7.056 ± 0.01 – 7.098 ± 0.01), chloride (4250.000 ± 1.58 – 4252.000 ± 4.04), total hardness (344.000 ± 1.05 – 347.000 ± 3.58), phosphate (11.902 ± 0.03 – 11.942 ± 0.02), sulphate (6.204 ± 0.01 – 6.248 ± 0.02) and nitrate (8.614 ± 0.01 – 8.656 ± 0.03). There were great variabilities in physico-chemical parameters and microbial load in Majidun River as a result of different human activities around the river water which might makes it to be unsafe for human consumption if not adequately purified.
Keywords: Agar, Aquatic Characterization, Coliform, Microbial Load, Salinity
