INDICATOR BACTERIA FOR FAECAL POLLUTION IN THE RIVER NILE AT GREATER CAIRO REGION

Document Type : Original Article

Author

National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Inland Water Branch & Aquaculture, 101 Kasr El Ainy St., Cairo

Abstract


The River Nile is the main source for water in Egypt therefore, a strict control should be exercised in preventing its pollution. In the present study, four stations were selected along a stretch of the River Nile in Greater Cairo area to investigate the bacterial pollution of its water. The results revealed that urban Cairo would seem to be responsible for increasing bacterial density. The viable bacterial counts reached (station 4) 214 x 105/ml & 187x105/ml for 22 0C and 37 0C, respectively. On the other hand, the most probable number (MPN) of total and faecal coliforms reached 250 x
102 /100 ml & 25 x 102 /100 ml water, respectively. Faecal streptococci showed maximum counts (900 / 100ml) (stations 2 & 4). This means that the River Nile is considered to be subjected to sewage pollution.

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