Preliminary assessment of the water quality of Rushikulya estuary based on the abundance of pathogenic bacteria

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2023-10, Vol.195 (10), p.1169-1169, Article 1169
• Main Authors: Panda, Bhubaneswari, Sundaray, Lokeshwara, Mishra, Ankita, Palai, Subhadarshani, Padhi, Sanjukta Rani, Patro, Shesdev, Mohanty, Pratap Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Anthropogenic factors; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bacteria; Cholera; Coastal dynamics; Coastal zone; Coliforms; E coli; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental factors; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental parameters; Escherichia coli; Estuaries; Estuarine dynamics; Estuarine ecosystems; Faecal coliforms; Fecal coliforms; Human influences; Human settlements; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Monsoons; Organisms; Pathogenic bacteria; Residence time; Seasons; Sediment; Sediment samplers; Sediment samples; Sediments; Sewage; Shigella; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Vibrio cholerae; Water quality; Water quality assessments; Waterborne diseases; Wind
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11784-8

Estuaries are among the most dynamic ecosystems in coastal regions and are facing serious threats due to increasing anthropogenic activities. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the water quality of the Rushikulya estuary by analyzing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria in both its water and sediment. Water and sediment samples were collected from five different stations at the mouth of the Rushikulya estuary during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. These samples were analyzed to assess the abundance of pathogenic bacteria and environmental parameters. The results revealed that bacterial abundance is significantly higher in the sediment than in the water, possibly due to a longer residence time of pathogenic bacteria in the sediment. Seasonal observations indicated an increase in pathogenic bacterial abundance during the monsoon season, suggesting an impact from monsoonal discharge. Escherichia coli- like organism, faecal coliforms, Shigella -like organisms, and Vibrio cholera -like organisms were the dominant pathogenic bacteria in both the water and sediment of the Rushikulya estuary. The higher abundance of these pathogens and the results of statistical analysis, which showed a strong correlation between Total Streptococci and BOD ( r = 0.79), indicate the influence of human settlement and the mixing of untreated sewage in the Rushikulya estuary. The elevated levels of  E. coli , faecal coliforms, and Shigella-like organisms in the Rushikulya estuary raise significant concerns that require immediate attention.