THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL FACTORS ON BACTERIAL LOADS IN MAGADA LAKE SEDIMENTS

Abstract

Lake sediments are faced with continuous pollution from different allochthonous and autochthonous sources, and this directly poses a threat to ecosystems and public health. Sediments of Magada Lake have not been adequately assessed for their ecological potential. Based on this understanding, this study investigates the effect of physico-chemical factors on bacterial loads in Magada Lake sediments at the Mountain Top University Campus located in Prayer City, Obafemi-Owode, Ogun State, Nigeria. Among the physicochemical factors evaluated, some significantly (P > 0.05) varied, while a few exhibited outstanding similarities. Specifically, the total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and total solids resulted in high levels of turbidity and conductivity from 6 am to 6 pm. This in turn gradually increased the salinity by >14-fold from 6 am to 6 pm. The biochemical oxygen demand sequentially increased from 12 pm to 12 am with resultant effects on bacterial loads from 12 pm to 6 pm in the sediments. In addition to lead and chromium, water temperature, turbidity, hardness, and sulphate remarkably correlated with the increase in the bacterial load of Magada Lake sediments. Hence, further studies are recommended to ascertain other factors that may equally result in related changes in the sediments of Magada Lake.