Evaluation of the Influence of Some Abiotic Factors on the Microbiological Quality of Groundwater in Soa Sub-division, Cameroon, Africa

Abstract

Groundwater samples were collected during April and August 2016 from five hand-dug wells in Soa subdivision, Cameroon, Africa, with the aim to assess the microbiological quality of them and the health risk they (it) posed to the population in the study area. The low piezometric levels (9 – 20 m) and the little variation in curb-stone heights (0.58 – 1.05 m) suggest that the wells are vulnerable to pollution. The physicochemical parameters show that the groundwater of Soa is acidic and poorly mineralized. The residents (population that is) dominated by students are not connected to the supply of water, making them to take recourse to groundwater for potable and general domestic use. Bacteriological analysis of the water samples focused on the search and listing of heterotrophic mesophilic aerobic bacteria (HAMB). Also, bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family were isolated, identified and listed (Escherichia, Klebsiella, Shigella, Citrobacter, Providencia). The analyses were carried out through standard, selective and conventional gallery culture media, using surface spreading, streaking and sub-culturing techniques. Different ions were also measured for the physicochemical component according to the usual analytical techniques. The low values of oxidability recorded clearly indicated the organic pollution of the study area. The organic matter was found largely influencing the increase in bacterial load (which is high and varied). The presence of these germs degrades the quality of the water, which varies from one site to the other, with the important factors being the proximity of the sources of pollution to the well and its poor maintenance. As local populations are using these ground waters without any prior treatment, they are prone to health risks over the period time.

Seasonal Variation and Diversity of Bacteria of the Vibrio and Salmonella Genera Isolated in a Few Underground Water Points Developed in the Commune of Ntui (Mbam-Et-Kim Department, Center-Cameroon)

“…The average contents of O 2 and CO 2 are respectively 4.73mg/mL and 13.31mg/mL. These values are very different from those of Mafany et al (2021) who obtained average values of 1.826 ± 2.799 mg/L for dissolved oxygen and 30.391 ± 8.019 mg/L for dissolved CO2, but are close to the results of Moungang et al (2013)whose dissolved oxygen saturation rate varied from low to medium. According to Rodier et al (2009), these levels are influenced by the climate and the seasons, as well as by the nature of the soil and the vegetation.…”

“…The high concentration and permanent presence of Salmonella throughout the study and Vibrio particularly during the dry season, provides information on the degree of pollution of these waters and would confirm the thesis of the permanent reappearance of epidemics and their monitoring Mafany et al (2021). The finding that bacteria of the genus Vibrio were most often identified during the dry season could be due to the fact that according to Rodier et al (2009), water in the dry season is rarely renewed, which weakens the rate of natural purification of watercourses.…”

Sensitivity to antibiotics of bacteria of the genus Aeromonas isolated from developed groundwater points and some surface water points in the Commune of Nkolafamba (Centre Cameroon)

“…These studies have shown that in the city of Yaoundé and its surroundings, surface watercourses can harbor a pathogenic microflora consisting of enterobacteria enteropathogens and enterotoxigens, several species of vibrios and pseudomonaceae [7,12]. Faced with these germs, the most appropriate antibiotics are Ciprofloxaxin (32.5%) and sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (35%) while the most resistant are ampicillin (57.5%), followed by ofloxacin (55%), amoxicillin (50%) [13,14]. These authors indicate that the resurgence of waterborne diseases caused by surface waters have led populations to adopt groundwater for their food because of their apparent clarity but in ignorance of their microbiological quality [15,16].…”