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KMID : 0880220110490020224
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Journal of Microbiology
2011 Volume.49 No. 2 p.224 ~ p.232
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Seasonal abundance and distribution of Vibrio species in the treated effluent of wastewater treatment facilities in suburban and urban communities of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
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Etinosa O. Igbinosa
Anthony I. Okoh
Chikwelu L. Obi
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Abstract
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We assessed the seasonal abundance and distribution of Vibrio species as well as some selected environmental parameters in the treated effluents of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), one each located in a suburban and urban community of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Vibrio population density ranged from 2.1×105 to 4.36×104 CFU/ml in the suburban community and from 2.80×105 to 1.80×105 CFU/ml in the urban community. Vibrio species associated with 180 μ, 60 μ, and 20 μ plankton sizes were observed at densities of 0?136×103 CFU/ml, 0?8.40×102 CFU/ml, and 0?6.80×102 CFU/ml, respectively at the suburban community’s WWTP. In the urban community, observed densities of culturable Vibrio were 0?2.80×102 CFU/ml (180 μ), 0?6.60×102 CFU/ml (60 μm), and 0?1.80× 103 CFU/ml (20 μm). The abundance of free-living Vibrio species ranged from 0 to 1.0×102 and 1.0×103 CFU/ml in the suburban and urban communities’ WWTPs, respectively. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive Vibrio isolates revealed the presence of V. fluvialis (41.38%), V. vulnificus (34.48%), and V. parahaemolyticus (24.14%) in the suburban community effluents. In the urban community molecular confirmation revealed that the same species were present at slightly different percentages, V. fluvialis (40%), V. vulnificus (36%), and V. parahaemolyticus (24%). There was no significant correlation between Vibrio abundance and season, either as free-living or plankton-associated entities, but Vibrio species abundance was positively correlated with temperature (r=0.565; p<0.01), salinity, and dissolved oxygen (p<0.05). Turbidity and pH showed significant seasonal variation (p<0.05) across the seasons in both locations. This study underscores the potential of WWTPs to be sources of Vibrio pathogens in the watershed of suburban and urban communities in South Africa.
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KEYWORD
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environmental parameters, public health, Vibrio pathogens, treated effluents
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