ESTIMATION OF MICROBIAL BURDEN DUE TO DIFFUSED AND POINT SOURCES AT SPATIAL SCALE IN MIDDLE STRETCH OF RIVER BHAVANI, COIMBATORE, TAMILNADU

Abstract

This study was aimed to estimate the microbiological status of river Bhavani which is the major life line of the surrounding area. The river water is used mainly for drinking, washing and swimming purposes. Water samples were collected from five sites (Pilloor, Effluent, Sweage I & II, Bhavanisagar reservoir) and the
results obtained were compared with WHO and EP standards for drinking and recreational water. In the present investigation station III and IV (which is Sweage I & II respective points) showed more numbers of microbes were present which cause the deadly diseases to human being as well as in aquatic, terrestrial
organism due the sewage discharges from the nearby towns. But in the case of lower stream (Bhavanisagar reservoir) that the counts of microorganism present in the reservoir was slightly reduced. The major groups of microorganisms were isolated and identified are E. coli, P. aerugionosa, E. aerogenes, S. aureus, Salmonella sp, Bacillus sp, Proteus sp, Klebsiella sp, Flavo bacterium, Acinetobacter sp. The results are alarming and show that alternative measures to reduce the pollution should be taken in favor of society