TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL EFFECTS ON MICROBIAL LOAD IN SEDIMENTS AND WATER OF POLLUTED ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

Seasonal effects on the microbial load of sediment and water at different locations along Bonny Estuary of Niger
Delta were investigated for a year spanning both the wet season and dry season. The total fungi count in the
sediment and water at different locations showed no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) during both seasons while
the hydrocarbon utilizing fungi in the sediment and water showed a significant difference in both seasons (p≤
0.05). There was a significant difference in the bacterial concentration in the sediment and water. This shows
that the growth of certain microbial types may be favoured by different seasons. The fundamental role of microorganisms in marine habitat have not been given better attention. Also, their distribution and diversity remain
poorly understood in the marine environment. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate the effect of seasons and
locations on microbial load in the marine ecosystem of the Niger Delta area to ensure the nutrient dynamics of
the aquatic ecosystem