Microbial diversity, heavy metals and hydrocarbons concentration in some fish species from Qua Iboe River Estuary, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
1 Department of Biological Sciences, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Research Article
GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 16(01), 242–251.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2023.16.1.0321
Publication history:
Received on 14 June 2023; revised on 22 July 2023; accepted on 25 July 2023
Abstract:
The diversity of fish gut microflora, heavy metals and hydrocarbon concentration of two fish species (Pseudotolithus typus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from Qua Iboe River Estuary was investigated. The total heterotrophic bacteria and fungi as well as hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi in the fish guts were abundant and ranged from 6.87 to 7.57logcfu/g, 5.68 to 5.80logcfu/g, 5.42 to 5.48 logcfu/g and 2.76 to 3.40logcfu/g respectively. The microbial counts varied among the fish species. Proteus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Vibrio, Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Micrococcus and Enterobacter were the different bacterial genera encountered in the study while Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger., Fusarium sp. and Mucor sp were the fungal species identified. The analysis of the metals showed that Zn, Cu and Fe with concentrations ranging from 0.51 to 4.20mg/kg, 3.51 to 4.11 and 1.19 to 2.04mg/kg respectively were the most abundant and were higher than the maximum permissible limits set by FEPA/WHO. The total mean PAHs and BTEX concentrations were 62.18±4.72 ng/g and 43.67±4.06 ng/g for C. nigrodigitatus, 123.52±3.11 ng/g and 211.68±3.53 ng/g for P. typus respectively which were higher than acceptable limits. Findings from this study shows poor microbiological quality thus the need for continuous monitoring of our natural waters and proper processing of aquatic foods as the present situation portends a potential concern for ecological risk.
Keywords:
Fish gut; Hydrocarbons; Heavy metals; Estuary; Microflora
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
