Bacteriological and physicochemical assessment of Bundu and Nembe Creeks, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Surface waters in the Niger Delta are increasingly influenced by anthropogenic activities that may alter their physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics. This study assessed the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of Bundu and Nembe Creeks, Rivers State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from Bundu and Nembe Creeks and analysed for temperature, pH, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria (HUB) were enumerated using standard microbiological methods. Representative bacterial isolates were characterized using conventional morphological, biochemical, and physiological procedures. Significant differences were observed between the two creeks in pH, salinity, EC, turbidity, DO, BOD₅, and COD (P < 0.05), whereas temperature did not differ significantly (P = 0.215). Bundu Creek recorded higher turbidity (10.96 ± 0.14 NTU), DO (3.58 ± 0.36 mg/L), BOD₅ (6.83 ± 0.03 mg/L), and COD (38.13 ± 0.85 mg/L), whereas Nembe Creek recorded higher salinity (5.58 ± 0.22‰) and EC (4520.00 ± 358.89 µS/cm). THB and HUB populations were higher in Nembe Creek (9.52 × 10⁵ ± 6.30 × 10⁵ and 2.20 × 10⁴ ± 1.15 × 10³ CFU/mL, respectively) than in Bundu Creek (4.36 × 10⁴ ± 3.82 × 10³ and 1.20 × 10⁴ ± 8.16 × 10² CFU/mL, respectively). Eleven bacterial taxa were recovered from Bundu Creek and six from Nembe Creek, with Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Enterobacter sp., and Klebsiella sp. occurring in both creeks. Overall, Bundu and Nembe Creeks exhibited distinct physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics, with evidence of bacterial contamination and the presence of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. Continued monitoring and appropriate pollution-control measures are recommended to protect the ecological integrity and public-health quality of these aquatic environments.

Keywords: Bundu creek, Nembe creek, surface water, physicochemical characteristics, heterotrophic bacteria, hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria.

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