The microbial profile of some concrete and earthen fish ponds within the Niger delta region were carried out. The result of physico-chemical properties of the water samples showed that alkalinity was significantly higher in concrete ponds (99.7+47.1 to 150+69.7) than (18+6.9 to 24+14.5 mg/L) in earthen ponds. Electrical conductivity varied significantly between the ponds with (200+84.1 to 290+74.9 s/m) in concrete ponds and (18+6.9 to 24+14.5 s/m) in earthen ponds. Sulphate was higher in concrete ponds (0.25+0.36 to 1.53+14.9ng/L) than (0.25+0.36 to 0.4+0.77mg/L) in earthen ponds. The mean total heterotrophic bacteria count was higher in concrete ponds (6.5x105to 7.4×105 cfu/ml) than (6.3×105 to 6.5×105 cfu/ml) in earthen pond. The mean fungal count ranged between (2.11×105 to2.25×105 cfu/ml) in concrete pond and (1.8×105 to 2.4x105cfu/ml) in earthen ponds. The bacteria genera isolated from the ponds were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., Aeromonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Salmonella sp., Vibrio sp, Serratia sp., Shigella sp., Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter species. While the fungal isolates were Aspergillus sp., Penicillum sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., and. Mucor sp. The study revealed that the ponds were grossly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms which poses a risk to human health, thus of significant public health concern.
Keywords: Heterotrophic bacteria, fish ponds, fungal isolates, pathogens, physico-chemical properties.
