Seasonal Changes of Bacterial Contamination Effect in The Water of Alrmela River On The Coastal Marine Waters

This study aimed to determine the abundance of heterotrophic bacteria in the water of the Alrmela River and coastal waters, study the changes of the faecal bacterial indicators distribution, and study of some hydrological properties and its effect on the indicators of faecal contamination. From March 2013 to February 2014, water samples were collected from seven stations with different environmental characteristics, distributed along the Alremela River near Jabla city and up to its estuary in the Mediterranean Sea. The results of the water temperature changes showed that were related to the moderate Mediterranean climate. Salinity values ranged from 0 to 39.33‰. The pH values did not decrease below 7 during the study period, and tend to rise towards the marine stations. The values of dissolved oxygen concentrations in water ranged between (2.51-7.59) mg / l. The results also showed that the total bacteria count values ranged between (81.5 - 666.6) × 104CFU / 100ml. The Total Coliform values ranged between (104 - 651.3) × 103CFU / 100ml. Faecal Coliform values ranged between (12-476.4) × 102CFU / 100ml, the values of Faecal Streptococcus count ranged between 2.6-118.6 × 102 CFU / 100ml. The water quality of the studied stations was based on the Total Coliform bacteria count, Faecal Coliforms and Faecal Streptococcus. The majority of the studied stations were considered to be contaminated and not recommended. The source of contamination was determined by the ratio value of Faecal Coliform bacteria to Faecal Streptococcus, It was from human origin in the majority of studied stations, while from animal or mixed origin during the winter.