Water pollution: A review of microbial quality and health concerns of water, sediment and fish in the aquatic ecosystem

Abstract

This paper reviewed aquatic ecosystem pollution with particular reference to pathogens in water, sediment and
fish and their human health concerns. It highlighted the historical perspective of the relationship between
microbes and humans regarding the “ranging war” between them, arising from the reckless exploitation of the
biosphere by humans and the resultant “revolt” by microbes in the form of various pathogenic diseases that now
plague mankind. Also highlighted are pathogens and diseases in both wild and cultured fish, citing reported
cases in Nigeria to include Samonella, Shigella and Leptospira spp., Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli,
Citrobacter diversus, Pseudomonas florescens, Aeromonas hydrophilla, Staphylococus aureus, Klebsiella
aerogenes, Edwardsiella tarda and Flexibacter columnaris. Some human diseases contacted from
contaminated/infected fish and fisheries’ products that have been reported in Nigeria were reported to include:
food poisoning and gastroenteritis, diarrhea, bacillary dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid, clonorchiasis and
superficial wound infections and ulcers. In conclusion, the paper reviewed the modes of infection of water
related and fish-borne diseases of human health concerns and recommended ways to ameliorate their infection
and spread.