ABSTRACT
The comparative Microbiological and Physicochemical analysis of certain rivers in Benin metropolis, Edo state was carried out to ascertain the variation of the water quality of the different river water sources using standard microbiologica and physicochemical techniques. This study aimed to assess the microbial load of the diversities of bacteria and the physicochemical properties of surface water samples from selected rivers used by the people of Benin City metropolis. Water samples were collected from certain rivers in Benin Metropolis for various parameters. Standard bacteriological methods were used to determine the total bacterial and fungal count of the river water samples using pour plate methods after serial dilution. The bacterial isolates were characterized and identified using morphological and biochemical methods. The percentage distribution and frequency of the isolates were evaluated using statistical method. Three different river water sources were used, which include; river waters in Ipkoba, Ekosodin and Lawani respectively. The mean bacteria counts upstream ranged from 1.8 × 105 ±1.30 to 2.31×105 ±1.00 upstream and from 3.27×105 ± 0.50 to 3.99 ×105 ± 2.00 downstream, where the highest mean bacteria counts were observed Lawani and Ikpoba river waters. The lowest mean bacteria count was however, observed at Ekosodin river water. Bacteria counts obtained were found to be higher than the accepted limit of WHO standard in river water samples considered. The cultural morphological and biochemical characteristics revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp, Shigella sp, Salmonella sp, Aspergillus niger, Yeast, Aspergillus sp, penicillium sp, Cladosporium sp. And the Physiochemical analysis also revealed the concentration of Calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, Electron affinity, iron, zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, Chromium and manganese. Iron (Fe) having the highest concentration 64.74mg/kg.
