Studies on Microbial Status and Characteristic features from Polluted Coastal Habitats at Visakhapatnam, India

Abstract

The current study focused on the microbial status and culture characteristic features from three different polluted sites at coastal area of Visakhapatnam. The eight different harmful pathogens were identified as Escherichia coli Enterococcus species, Shigella species, Salmonella species, Proteus/Klebsiella species, Vibrio species, Faecal Streptococci, and Pseudomonas species. For enumeration of bacterial strains spread plate method was employed. IMViC biochemical tests (Indole, Methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and Citrate tests) were used to assess the characteristic features of bacterial strains. The greater distributions of enteric pathogens were reported from the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour (Station-I) because of indiscriminate discharge of the sewage, industrial effluents and fishing activities. Moderate occurrence was reported at Hindustan shipyard (Station-II), this might be aided by the acidic pH conditions will have profound impacts on the bacterial proliferation. Relatively low enteric pathogens load at offshore station (Bhimili-Station-III) this may be attributed due to variations in the salinity of marine water at offshore regions compared to nearshore waters and also marginal stress from the saline water.