Abstract

Globally, coastal areas are under stress due to increasing human population, industrial activities and indiscriminate discharge of untreated wastes. Some of these wastes are toxic and persist and could consequently compromise the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. However, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of water pollution in four coastal towns located in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study areas are Obi, Idi-Egbin, Okesiri and Araromi waters with three sampling points per location. Water samples were collected in triplicate for physical, chemical and microbial analysis. At p<0.05, the total mean concentration of pH, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity, Turbidity, Colour, Total Dissolved Solid, Conductivity, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Sulphate, Chloride, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium and Chemical Oxygen Demand showed a significant variation at Obi, Idi-Egbin, Okesiri and Araromi but no significant variation was recorded in Biological Oxygen Demand, Ammonia, Total Suspended Solid, Bicarbonate and Carbonate among the sampling locations. The mean of total microbial load in water samples were reported as; Obi (50.72±21.83 x10³ cfu/g), Idi-Egbin (61.72±29.02 x10³ cfu/g), Okesiri (62.68±28.90 x10³ cfu/g) and Araromi (64.01±17.87 x10³ cfu/g). Ten bacteria species were identified, as well as their occurrences. They comprise both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The present study therefore reveals the dangers associated with the health status of the Coastal water of Ondo State which may further deteriorate and become detrimental to the health of inhabitants of these coastal communities.

Key Words: Health status, Microbial analysis, Toxic, Untreated wastes, Aquatic ecosystem, Discharge