Study of Bacterial Indicators in Water and Sediments from Al- Hilla River, Iraq

Abstract

The present study was conducted to study of some microbial pollution indicators such as - total count, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E.coli and fecal streptococci from water and sediment of Al-Hilla River in middle of Iraq. Samples were collected over a period of twelve months from March, 2010 to February, 2011.The results showed variation in the number and density of microbial indicators between seasons and study sites. A highest number of bacterial pollutants recorded through spring and summer seasons. Many environmental factors affect the bacterial indicators such as solar radiation, temperature, water flow and organic matter. The present study showed high variation in quantitative and qualitative of bacterial indicators, also they could be used as a bio-indicator for pollution of both water and sediment in Hilla River.