Investigative Study on the Bacteriological, Physical and Chemical Profiles of Aquaculture Waters: Insights Into Health Hazards for Fish and Human

Bacteriological and physic-chemical analysis of fish pond water is very important in aquaculture as this gives insights into likely threats to aquaculture and associated personnels. Bacteriological and physico-chemical profiles of selected fish ponds in the Ilorin West area of Kwara State, Nigeria were investigated to evaluate the water quality of rearing enclosures. Physico-chemical analyses revealed quality parameters were within the recommended range for aquaculture. Following bacteriological analyses of static water pond culture, the TVC and TCC showed temporal variations with concentration increasing with sampling time. However, the FCC showed fluctuation. Totally, 8 bacteria groups were isolated from both rearing enclosures. Of these, Gram negative bacteria showed dominance. In which 5 Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Serratia spp, Enterobacter spp and Pseudomonas spp) and 3 Gram positive (Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, and Bacillus spp) were encountered. Estimates of bacteria occurrence in both rearing facilities respectively gave: Staphylococcus spp (20%), Streptococcus spp (12%) Proteus spp (8%) Enterobacter spp (20%) Serratia spp (16%), Bacillus spp (9%), Escherichia coli (8%), Pseudomonas spp (7%) from earthen pond water sampled. While Staphylococcus spp (18%), Streptococcus spp (16%), Proteus spp (8%), Enterobacter spp (22%), Serratia spp (8%), Bacillus spp (15%), Escherichia coli (8%), Pseudomonas spp (6%) from concrete water sampled. Conclusively, although there is the presence of bacteria groups of public health concern, the static water exchange provides benefits of natural processing of wastes and restoration of the pond ecosystem. Notably, the presence of Escherichia coli gives indication of presence of pathogenic organisms of enteric origin. The presence of these organisms has been associated with a lack of tentative pond management and effective biosecurity procedures. One recommendation to this culture system (static water aquaculture) is the consideration of adaptation of concepts in biomimicry or biofloc technology which operates on similar principles.