A baseline study of spatial variability of bacteria (total coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp.) as biomarkers of pollution in ten tropical Atlantic beaches: concern for environmental and public health
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Date
2021
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Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Abstract
Coastal water quality in urban cities is increasingly impacted by human activities such as agricultural runoff, sewage discharges,
and poor sanitation. However, environmental factors controlling bacteria abundance remain poorly understood. The study
employed multiple indicators to assess ten beach water qualities in Ghana during minor wet seasons. Environmental parameters
(e.g. temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids) were measured in situ using the Horiba multiple parameter probe.
Surface water samples were collected to measure total suspended solids, nutrients, and chlorophyll-a via standard methods and
bacteria determination through membrane filtration. Environmental parameters measured showed no significant variation for the
sample period. However, bacteria loads differ significantly (p = 0.024) among the beaches and influenced significantly by nitrate
(55.3%, p = 0.02) and total dissolved solids (17.1%, p = 0.017). The baseline study detected an increased amount of total
coliforms and faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) in beach waters along the coast of Ghana,
suggesting faecal contamination, which can pose health risks. The mean ± standard deviations of bacteria loads in beach water are
total coliforms (4.06 × 103 ± 4.16 × 103 CFU/100 mL), E. coli (7.06 × 102 ± 1.72 × 103 CFU/100 mL), and Enterococcus spp.
(6.15 × 102 ± 1.75 × 103 CFU/100 mL). Evidence of pollution calls for public awareness to prevent ecological and health-related
risks and policy reforms to control coastal water pollution. Future research should focus on identifying the sources of contamination
in the tropical Atlantic region.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Beach water quality, Faecal indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pollution, Environmental factors, Public health policy