MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF FISH PONDS

Abstract

The microbiological and physico-chemical analysis of five fish pond water samples in Benin City was conducted using standard methods. The total bacterial and fungal counts were carried out using pour plate technique. Mineral composition was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry tec hniques. The physico-chemical parameters were carried out using standard methods. The total bacterial and fungal count of the water samples ranged from 0.42x106 to 2.58x106 cfu/ml and 0.5x106 to 0.78x106 cfu/ml respectively. The values obtained for the physicochemical parameters ranged as follows: temperature (26 - 27) 0C, pH (4.76 – 5.74), conductivity (187 - 543) ?S/cm, dissolved oxygen (5.63-9.76) mg/l, BOD (2.31-6.06) mg/l and chloride (14.16-173.76) mg/l. The value of the mineral contents of the water samples such as magnesium was between (3.18mg/l-9.23mg/l) and calcium (6.73mg/l-19.55mg/l). The value obtained for the heavy metal concentrations are as follows; copper (0.56 mg/l-1.63 mg/l), nickel (0.75 mg/l-2.17 mg/l) and iron (2.06 mg/l -5.97 mg/l). The microbial counts obtained indicate that the ponds are heavily contaminated. Hence there is a need for the fish farmers to improve on their fish farming management which includes fish food preparation, environmental sanitation and monitoring the quality of fish yield