Journal of Environmental Biology

Occurrence and seasonal variation of bacterial indicators of faecal pollution along Thoothukudi coast, Tamil Nadu

G. Sugumar*, B. Chrisolite, P. Velayutham, A. Selvan and U. Ramesh

Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Thoothukudi-628 008, India

(Received: December 12, 2005; Revised received: June 20, 2006; Accepted: August 16, 2006)

Abstract: The prevalence and seasonal variation of bacterial indicators of faecal pollution such as total coliform bacteria, faecal coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli  and faecal streptococci were investigated in samples of water and beach sand from the four fish landing centres of Thoothukudi. Further, the samples were screened for Salmonella to study the reliability of faecal indicator bacteria as an index of human pathogenic bacteria.  Total coliform bacteria, faecal coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli were isolated from all four landing centres from undetectable to the maximum detectable level of over Most Probable Number 140 throughout the year with no obvious seasonal variation.  Faecal streptococci were also detected in most samples.  There was no discernable relationship between faecal indicators and physical parameters. The relationship between faecal indicators and Salmonella was not significant (p>0.05). The results showed that the coastal waters along Thoothukudi is polluted and presents a potential risk to public for recreational and fishing activities.

Key words:   Faecal pollution, Bacterial indicators, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Fish landing centres

PDF of full length paper is available with author (sugumar_mg@yahoo.com)

Copyright © 2008 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).