Microbiological and Physicochemical Water Quality Assessments of River Water in an Industrial Region of the Northwest Coast of Borneo

Abstract

Urbanization and ever increasing socioeconomic activities have degraded natural resources globally. This study monitored water quality (WQI) based on physicochemical and microbial qualities of river water in an industrial region northwest coast of Borneo. Microbiological parameters tested included total viable count (TVC), coliform count (TC), faecal coliform count (FC), and Escherichia coli confirmation. Physicochemical constituents evaluated included water temperatures (T), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH 3 -N), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The mean microbial counts of samples were: TVC (3.9 × 10 2 -3.0 × 10 4 cfu mL −1 ), TC and FC (23->1600 MPN 100 mL −1 ) (MPN: the most probable number) and Escherichia coli growth was confirmed. The mean values of pH, TDS, salinity, EC and BOD are significantly different (p < 0.05) between the rivers ranged: pH (5.05 ± 0.03-6.10 ± 0.10), TDS (0.0 ± 0.0-38,600 ± 50 mg L −1 ), salinity (0.01 ± 0.0-3.07 ± 0.07%), EC (650 ± 25-19,566.67 ± 251.66 µS cm −1 ), and BOD (0.23 ± 0.10-3.12 ± 0.02 mgO 2 L −1 ). The tested parameters of samples exceeded international limits with the exception of COD and TSS. The WQI of river water tested ranged from 65-73 under class III. Most of the river water was slightly polluted and a potential threat to public health.

Microbiological pollution and some physicochemical properties of sıkaraağaçlar creek in sinop (Black Sea-Turkey)

“…Karslı [40] found the average conductivity value in the Sakaryaağaçlar stream as 12.25 µs/cm in the summer season and 8.64 µs/cm in the autumn season. According to WHO standards, conductivity should be 1000 μs/cm in river waters [54]. The conductivity of water sources exceeding 1000 μs/cm is considered as a sign of pollution [45].…”

Microbiological and Water Quality Status of Cibanten River

“…If there is bubble formation, continue to confirm the test. [8,9] Confirmed test: Inoculation on brilliant green bile lactose broth (BGLB). To calculate the total coliform, the inoculated BGLB tubes were incubated at 35 ± 0.5° C for 48 hours, while for fecal coliform, the inoculated BGLB tubes were incubated at 44.5 ± 0.2° C for 48 hours.…”

“…Calculate the MPN of coliform based on the proportion of confirmed gassing in BGLB tubes for 5 consecutive dilutions. [8,9] The MPNs at different sampling locations were tabulated and compared to the MPNs in requirement of water quality status based on [10] Government regulation No. 82 of 2001 concerning the management of water quality and water pollution control.…”

Literature Review: Water Quality of Public Bathing, Potential Health Problems and Water Borne Diseases on Visitors

“…Eutrophic conditions increase when the DO value is low that aquatic organisms cannot absorb oxygen from water. Meanwhile, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is an indicator of pollution caused by industrial emissions (31). Both DO and BOD influence each other.…”