Fecal contamination in mengabang waters, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

Abstract

Mengabang is an estuary that is surrounded with infrastructural development may have microbial pollution in its water. Fecal coliform detection was done in Mengabang estuary to know the total coliform and Escherichia coli Most Probable Number (MPN) in 100ml of Mengabang waters. 5 sampling station were set up in Mengabang estuary throughout fecal coliform monitoring. Multiple Tube Fermentation standard method (APHA, 1988) was used to estimate the number of bacteria present in 100ml of water. How so ever, water parameters such as pH, dissolved Oxygen, temperature and salinity taken during sampling show no limitation. Sedimentation from nearby infrastructural developments is believed the root cause of the high coliform presence. Results show that Mengabang estuary had high fecal coliform ranged around 400 to 5000 MPN / 100ml. This suggests Mengabang water belongs to Water Class III for recreational water use with human body contact. However health concern risk still present in its waters.