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Occurrences of Salmonella Spp. in Water and Soil Sample of the Karnafuli River Estuary

Md. Wahidul Alam*

Mohammad Zafar
Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was carried out to examine the presence of Salmonella spp. in soil and water sample along with some physio-chemical parameters of water at the Karnafuli river estuary during March-June 2012 from 3 stations. The ranges of measured parameters of water samples were 26.5- 32ºC, 0.0 – 5.0‰, 7.5 – 7.9 and 2.28 – 2.91mg/l for temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO), respectively.. In the present investigation, it was observed that the values of physio chemical parameters in the estuarine area were fluctuated seasonally. Water temp, salinity and pH were within acceptable range according to EQSB and guidelines value of WHO but the concentration of DO decreased significantly indicating the deterioration of estuarine environment including water quality and soil conditions which are influenced by higher bacterial growth in the polluted estuarine zone. Maximum Salmonella spp. concentrations were observed 5cells/ml in soil from one station (St-1) out of 3 total sampling stations during the month of May. The occurrences of Salmonella spp. was not found many of the stations they were absent. Considering the prevailing physio-chemical parameters and bacteriological conditions as detected in this study in the Karnafuli river estuarine water and soil, it appears that the estuarine environment including the water and soils were polluted. Such contaminated water is not suitable for household uses and possibly hazardous to many aquatic animals and human health.

Keywords: Karnafuli; Salmonella spp.; Water; Soil and Estuary

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Diseases

Objectives:

Considering the importance of water and soil of the estuary in daily life, the present research work aimed to estimate the presence of Salmonella spp. in water and soil of Karnafuli river estuary.

Methodology:

Description of the study area: The Karnafuli is the principal river of Chittagong district of Bangladesh. It originates in the Lushai Hills of Mizoram (India), flows through Rangamati and the port city of Chittagong and discharges into the Bay of Bengal near Patenga. The river is flashy and its length is about 131 km. Geographically this estuary located between latitude 220 53/ N and longitude 920 27/ E and enters the districts of Chittagong from the north eastern side. It travels about 121 miles in a zigzag ways to west and south west side and finally falls on the Bay of Bengal at latitude 220 12/ N and longitude 910 47/ E at near Patenga, Chittagong. The average channel depth of the basin at the river estuary is 8 meters, although the depth varies greatly in its upstream portion for strong current and siltation. Geologically, the entire catchment consists of a substratum of tertiary rocks covered with alluvial deposits. The overlying deposits show that it consists of successive layers of mud and sand (Rizbi, 1971). Hydrological parameters i.e. temperature, salinity, pH, DO fluctuate seasonally. Three sampling stations were selected for the present investigation with the basis of different types of pollution. First sampling station (St-1) located near Chaktai canal (most polluted canal of Bangladesh) receives heavy discharges from different domestic and industrial sources to the estuary. Second sampling station (St-2) located at the middle portion of the River where small city canal falls into the river and carry industrial and city wastes. Third sampling station (St-3) located at the mouth of the estuary and receives discharges composed of different kinds of city wastes through a canal which ultimately fall into the estuary. Data collection and analysis: The present work was carried out at Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh during March to June 2012. Water and soils samples were collected from three stations (St-1, St-2 and St-3) of the Karnafuli river estuary during this study period. In situ measurement of water temperature was measured by centigrade thermometer whereas water pH and salinity was measured by pen pH meter and refractometer, respectively. DO concentration was measured in the laboratory by following standard method (APHA, 1976). Collected water and soil samples were preserved and microbial analysis was conducted at laboratory to identify the presence of Salmonella spp. in the samples. Salmonella spp. in water and soil was identified by standard plate count (SPC) techniques (APHA, 1976). As the Salmonella spp. are very rare in water and soils, the investigator did the work without any serial dilution of samples before culturing in selective medium. Presence or absence of Salmonella spp. was estimated by using pour plate techniques. One milliliter of water or diluted soil samples (1gm: 9 ml of distilled water) were transferred by sterile pipettes onto Brilliant Green Agar (BGA) plate for Salmonella spp. Growth of pink opaque colonies surrounded by a bright red color were confirmed as Salmonella spp.

Source of Information: Microbes and Health, December 2012, 1(2): 41-45 ISSN: 2226-0153 (Print)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Waters of Karnafuli river estuary contains Salmonella spp as detected in this study. However, the estuary soil samples even contained higher concentration of the bacteria. In Karnafuli river area, people are suffering from various health hazards that may be directly related to the uses of water for drinking, bathing, washing and soil for various houses hold purposes. During the study period, the detected Salmonella spp. bacterial concentrations in water and soil samples exceed the standard level in some stations - both in water and soil. Therefore, this contaminated water is unsuitable for drinking or for even washing without appropriate water treatment for humans.

Knowledge Management: Journal