Physicochemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Surface and Stored Groundwaters in Natitingou, Benin Republic

Abstract

Surface and groundwater collected in the municipality of Natitingou constitute a potential infectious risk for human health and the environment due to the pathogenic bacteria and Chlorella vulgaris they contain after conservation in tanks. In this study, surface and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed according. The results of the physicochemical and bacteriological characterization of these water samples revealed average values of pH (4.35 to 6.98), of turbidity (0.65 to 169.97 NTU), nitrites (0.15 to 5.40 mg/L), nitrates (0.55 to 114.34 mg/L), ammonium (0.05 to 0.60 mg/L) and significant faecal contamination by total coliforms, coliforms faecal and enterococci. The analysis results also reveal the presence of Chlorella vulgaris in both surface water and groundwater conserved. Chlorella vulgaris shows a positive correlation with nitrates, nitrites and ammonium and a negative correlation with phosphates, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, enterococci and the proliferation of Chlorella vulgaris in surface water and groundwater. The consumption of this water without any treatment could expose populations to waterborne diseases.

Keywords

• Surface water;
• groundwater;
• pathogenic microorganisms;
• Chlorella vulgaris