World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ABUNDANCE AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF HUMAN ENTERIC BACTERIA IN DHAMRA ESTUARY, EAST COAST OF INDIA

Satyabrata Das Sharma*, Upasana Mohapatra, Rashmi Ranjan Behera and Chitta Ranjan Panda

ABSTRACT

Domestic sewage discharge and industrial influent are the sources of microbial population in riverine system. Dhamra River is a joint stream formed by the convergence of Brahmani and Baitarani River before meeting to the Bay of Bengal. It receives indiscriminate waste discharges from agricultural and domestic sources. The estuarine system of Dhamra River also carries influents from Dhamra port and nearby fishing harbors. The present study was aimed to estimate the current level of pollution in terms of monitoring human pathogenic bacteria and their seasonal variability of Dhamra estuary. Seasonal water and sediment samples (n=70) were collected from a particular estuarine point in every tidal cycle (LT, MT and HT). The sampling was carried out over a period of 36 hours from each season. Bacteriological analysis such as total viable count (TVC), Escherichia coli (EC) and Streptococus faecalis like organism (SFLO) both in water and sediment were analyzed to know the pollution indicator bacteria of the study site. The concentration of TVC, EC and SF were exceeding to its usual limit. The result reflected Dhamra River must carry the anthropogenic activities and domestic sewage from fishing harbor and shipyard movement. Higher concentration of EC and SF pathogenic bacteria in riverine system signify a threat to the aquatic ecosystem. Dhamra estuary states both water and sediment were holding very higher number of EC and SF by crossing World Health Organization s permissible limits.

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