30 lsa shakila.pdf

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Life Science Archives (LSA)

ISSN: 2454-1354

Volume – 1; Issue - 3; Year – 2015; Page: 204 - 207

©2015 Published by JPS Scientific Publications Ltd. All rights reserved

Research Article

BACTERIAL ENUMERATION IN SURFACE AND BOTTOM WATERS

OF TWO DIFFERENT FRESH WATER AQUATIC ECO SYSTEMS IN

ARIYALUR, TAMIL NADU

N. Shakila1, C. Sivasubramanian

1, P. Satheeshkumar

1, M. Jeganathan

2 and Balakumari

2

1Department of Environmental and Herbal Science, Tamil University, Thanjavur - 613 010, Tamil Nadu,

India. 2Designed Environment Academy and Research Institute, Trichy - 621 213, Tamil Nadu, India.

E.mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Individual bacteria were first seen by humans about 325 years ago when they were magnified by the

first microscope. It's only been a little over 100 years since a bacterium was first implicated as a causal agent

in a plant disease. Bacteria were shown in 1878 to be associated with fire blight of apples and pears in

Illinois and New York, USA. Hence, attempts were made to study the bacterial profile in the waters of two

different systems (Chettieri and Kallankuruchi mines ponds) in Ariyalur. Thus, it was clear that the

Kallankuruchi lake water recorded more population when compared to the Chettieri lake water. Further, it

was observed that throughout the period of study the bacterial population was more than Kallankuruchi lake

when compared to Chettieri lake.

Article History Received : 02.04.2015

Revised : 10.05.2015

Accepted : 15.05.2015

Key words: Bacteria, Bottom water, Fresh water,

Chettieri lake and Aquatic ecosystem.

1. Introduction

Fecal coli form are bacteria that live in

the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals

including humans, horses, cows, chickens, cats,

dogs, and water fowl. The bacteria are excreted in

the solid waste of humans and other animals and

enter water ways via failing septic systems, sewer

overflows, inadequate treatment of municipal

waste, runoff from animal pastures, or inadequate

human waste disposal associated with camping or

other outdoor activities. Unless human sewage is

being discharged into the lake from failing septic

systems or sanitary sewer overflows, most bacteria

* Corresponding author: N. Shakila, Department of

Environmental and Herbal Science, Tamil University,

Thanjavur

present are typically assumed to be of non-human

origin. For most lakes, geese, gulls, and ducks are

speculated to be a major source of bacteria,

especially where large resident bird populations

have become established.

Fecal coli form bacteria is a good indicator

of sewage pollution of water and is routinely

monitored as an indicator of the possible health

risk to people who may be swimming in or

drinking contaminated water. When sewage is

present in the waters, elevated counts of fecal

coliform bacteria occur. However, the source of

the high bacteria counts may not originate with

human sewage. Many other mammals as well as

birds can also contribute this type of bacteria to

the water. To identify if the bacteria are from

human sewage, tests for more specific bacteria

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N. Shakila / Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume – 1, Issue – 3, Page – 204 to 207, 2015 205


types or analysis of genetic material must be

completed. Through additional testing, the species

of animal that added the bacteria to the water can

sometimes be determined.

2. Materials and Methods

The two small tropical fresh water lentic

systems chosen for the present investigation are

located in the southern suburbs of the town of

Ariyalur. It is located 250 km south west of

Chennai and 60 km from Trichy towards north

east. Ariyalur is 900 meters above the sea level

and covers about 2 lakhs hectares of Tamilnadu.

Of these, one was located in Chettieri pond.

The second pond is located in

kallenkuruchi mines pond. Both the pond are

located at an elevation of about 85 m are situated

on the Eastern side of Ariyalur to Kallankuruchi

road. The distance between these two ponds is

about 2 kilometers and hence the general weather

conditions of the ponds are similar.

The water samples from both the ponds

were collected separately in 3 liter polythene

canes from six different sites of each pond

between 7 and 8 am during the second week of

every month and immediately brought to the

laboratory for analysis. Simultaneously, water

samples were also collected in sterilized bottles

for bacterial studies and transferred to the

laboratory in compact thermo cold ice box without

exposure to light, temperature and undue shaking.

The temperature pH, Carbon dioxide, Phosphate,

Iron, Total hardness, Oxidizing organic matter,

Nitrogenous organic matter and Suspended solids

were done by following APHA (1995). Trivedi

and Goel (1986) and Tylor (1949). Phytoplankton

and zooplankton count were done by APHA

(1989).

To collect water in the bottle with the

green label (bacteria bottle), the largest sample

bottle with the yellow label is used for all

chemical analyses except bacteria. If you have

selected EITHER of the pond/lake water test

packages, you will need to collect water in this

sample container. This sample should be collected

at a location that was representative of the water in

the pond or lake. This is most often found at a

deeper location away from these sources of water

(i.e. away from the stream, spring or other source

of water feeding into the pond or lake). Two good

locations to collect the sample would be from a

dock or swimming platform or at the pipe or

stream leading out of the pond/lake. Rinse the

bottle three times with pond/lake water. After

rinsing, submerge the bottle below the water level

and allow it to fill completely to the top. Screw the

lid on tightly to prevent leakage. Place the bottle

in the bubble wrap sleeve provided and place it in

the mailing box. Refrigerate the sample until you

are ready to send it to the laboratory.

Bacteria Sample Bottle (Green Label)

If you have selected the WP02 package

that includes testing for E. coli bacteria, you

should collect water in the clear bottle with the

green label for bacteria analysis. It is important

that you use the correct bottle for the bacteria

sample because only the bottle with the green

label has been sterilized to prevent bacterial

contamination of the sample. Use the same

location to collect this sample as you did for the

larger, yellow labeled bottle explained above (well

mixed, deeper location away from source of

water). Carefully twist the lid to break the seal and

remove the lid from the sample container. Hold

the cap by the outside of the cap (if you touch the

inside of the cap or bottle, you could contaminate

the sample with bacteria). Fill the container with

water to the line marked “100 ml”. Screw the lid

on tightly to prevent leakage. It is important that

you do not touch or lay the lid down on the ground

to prevent bacterial contamination on the inside of

the bottle or cap.

3. Results and Discussion

In the present study details of the bacterial

population and related parameters in the vertical

profile of the two water bodies are presented in

Table - 1.

Thus, it was clear that the Kallankuruchi

lake water recorded more population when

compared to the Chettieri lake water. Further, it

was observed that throughout the period of study

the bacterial population was more than

Kallankuruchi lake when compared to Chettieri

lake. This may be due to the increased



concentration of oxidizable and nitrogenous

organic matters and suspended solids present in

Chettieri lake water.

Table – 1: Water quality parameters of the Chettieri lake

and Kallankuruchi lake

Details Chettieri

lake

Kallankuruchi

lake

Bacterial × 105 (cfu/ml) 5.2 6.5

Oxidizable organic

matter (mg/l) 4.1

4.23

Nitrogenous organic

matter (mg/l) 2.8 2.6

Suspended solids (mg/l) 320 310

Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 4.2 3.4

CO2 (mg/l) Nil Nil

C/N ratio (%) 1.8 2.9

Phytoplankton (org/l) 4.0 7.0

Zooplankton (i/l) 320 230

PO4 (mg/l) 0.04 0.07

Fe (mg/l) 0.23 0.32

CaCO3 (mg/l) 104 123

Mechanisms of pathogenicity of bacterial

plant pathogens are becoming well known

(Ahlemeyer and Eichenlaub 2001; Burger and

Eichenlaub 2003). Virulence and pathogenicity

genes may be harbored in different replicons

(independent replicating units), such as spread

throughout the chromosomes or in specialized

areas termed genomic or pathogenicity islands

(Arnold et al., 2003), in bacterial viruses

integrated in the chromosome or in a 'carrier' state,

and on one or more extra-chromosomal elements

(plasmids). The functions of most genes, including

those on extra-chromosomal elements, aren't

known and it's estimated that each bacterium has

about 40 % of its genome devoted to unique

genes.

Population development must normally

occur for many bacteria to survive and infect

plants. Infectious doses normally are in the

millions of cells. In several cases, and perhaps all,

the cells communicate chemically with one

another (quorum sensing) and with other species.

These chemical sensing molecules are under

intensive study (Federle and Bassler, 2003). In

some cases, and perhaps most, microorganisms

organize in dense growths to form biofilms that

tightly adhere to surfaces, serving as protectants

against the elements and enabling cells to produce

a favorable environment for survival and spread.

Some structures used by bacteria to insert

chemical compounds into plant cells are well

studied, such as the so-called Type III secretion

system (five types are currently known). The Type

III system operates somewhat like a syringe and

plunger to transport pathogen-produced proteins

that effect disease or trigger defense (Pociano et

al., 2003). These mechanisms have sometimes

shown surprising and unexpected similarity to

those found in animal and human pathogens (Cao

et al., 2001). There are even a few strains of

bacteria that cross kingdoms: they can infect both

plants and humans. The genetic basis for such

novelty is of immense interest and significance

regarding the basis of infectious disease.

Commercial transgenic plants and those in

development depend heavily on the use of a

'disarmed' pathogen, Agrobacterium tumefaciens,

as a vector to insert a genes of interest. Many

challenges remain in transformation of certain

plant varieties and species, as well as predictable

and stable expression of transgenes (Gelvin,

2003). Challenges and opportunities for the future

in plant microbiology abound (Vidaver, 1999).

The best is yet to come. For example, one of the

current challenges is providing healthy plants for

humans during long-term space travel and

exploration (Ferl et al., 2002).

On the plant side, many avenues are being

explored (Vidhyasekaran, 2002). Understanding

and manipulating resistance in host plants is

extremely important. Host resistance may be due

to one or several resistance genes (or R genes) to

specific pathogens harboring virulence genes. If

the virulence genes trigger a host defense

response, they are termed avirulence (avr) genes.

If the resistance is more general, a variety of

preformed defense mechanisms, both structural

and chemical, may be involved with induced

chemicals as well (local or systemic acquired

resistance) (Phuntumart, 2003). Studies of

pathogen interactions in model systems,

particularly Arabidopsis thaliana, are enabling



clearer understanding of susceptibility and

resistance applicable to more complex plants

(Heath, 2002). Sequencing of major plant

genomes is underway as well, with rice being

completed. Multiple alleles and chromosomes, as

well as complex traits are challenges in

understanding and managing host resistance.

Compiling information from sequencing and

functional analysis of both pathogens and major

crop plants is expected to bring new insights

useful for sustained disease management. The

forgoing depends on a basic knowledge of these

bacteria, which follows.

4. Conclusion

The quality of water is of vital concern for

mankind since it is directly linked with human

welfare. It is a matter of history that faucal

pollution of drinking water caused water-borne

diseases which wiped out entire populations of

cities. The major sources of water pollution are

domestic waste from urban and rural areas, and

industrial wastes which are discharged into natural

water bodies. One of the most important factors of

organic pollutions is microbial contamination,

especially of pathogenic micro organisms.

Pathogenic bacteria are a serious concern in

managing water resources because higher density

has been known to induce illness in humans.

Hence, attempts were made to study the bacterial

profile in the waters of two different systems

(Chettieri and Kallankuruchi mines ponds) in

Ariyalur. Thus, it was clear that the Kallankuruchi

lake water recorded more population when

compared to the Chettieri lake water. Further, it

was observed that throughout the period of study

the bacterial population was more than

Kallankuruchi lake when compared to Chettieri

lake. This may be due to the increased

concentration of oxidizable and nitrogenous

organic matters and suspended solids present in

Chettieri lake water.

5. REFERENCES

1) Ahlemeyer, J. and Eichenlaub, R. 2001.

Genetics of phytopathogenic bacteria. Prog.

Bot., 62: 98 - 113.

2) Arnold, D.L., Pitman, A., and Jackson, R.W.

2003. Pathogenicity and other genomic islands

in plant pathogenic bacteria. Mol. Plant

Pathol., 4: 407 – 420.

3) Burger, A. and Eichenlaub, R. 2003. Genetics

of phytopathogenic bacteria. Prog. Bot., 64: 98

- 114.

4) Cao, H., Baldini, R.L. and Rahme, L.G. 2001.

Common mechanisms for pathogens of plants

and animals. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol., 39: 259

- 284.

5) Ferl, R., Wheeler, R., Levine, H.G. and Paul,

A.L. 2002. Plants in space. Curr. Opin. Plant

Biol., 5: 258 - 263.

6) Gelvin, S. B. 2003. Agrobacterium-mediated

plant transformation: the biology behind the

"gene-jockeying" tool. Microbiol. Mol. Biol.

Rev., 67: 16 - 37.

7) Heath, M.C. 2002. Non-host resistance in

plants to microbial pathogens. Pages 47-57 in:

Infectious Disease: Innate Immunity. R.A.B.

Ezekowitz, J.A. Hoffmann, eds. Humana Press

Inc., Totowa, NJ.

8) Phuntumart, V. 2003. Transgenic plants for

disease resistance. Pages 180-215 in:

Transgenic Plants: Current Innovations and

Future Trends. C.N. Stewart, Jr., ed. Horizon

Scientific Press, Wymondmam, UK.

9) Vidaver, A.K. 1999. Plant microbiology:

Century of discovery, with golden years ahead.

Am. Soc. Microbiol. News, 65: 358 - 363.

10) Vidhyasekaran, P. 2002. Bacterial disease

resistance in plants. Molecular biology and

biotechnological applications. 452 pp. The

Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY.

11) Young, J.M., Saddler, G.S., Takikawa, Y.,

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Gvozdyak, R. I. and Stead, D.E. 1996. Names

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