THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROBIAL LOAD OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS TO LIFE;A REVIEW.
*Rabo, P. D. and Andigoche, L. E.
*Dept. of Agricultural Technology, Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa, Plateau State, Nigeria, Dept. of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The microbial load of an aquatic systemrefer to the total number of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoans) in a given aquatic system. Aquatic microorganisms are capable of multiplying in all water habitats, stretching from several kilometers below the sea floor to the first millimeter of a shallow trend created by rain water and into acidic lakes Their presence everywhere impact the entire biosphere as they are the main producers of energy and carbon flow to other organisms. Planktonic algae and cyanobacteria are responsible for about half of the food production on earth and serve as food for marine organisms especially fish.Aquatic microbes are involved in biogeochemical cycles such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycles in the aquatic systems. Phytoplankton contributes to the biological pump through
which atmospheric carbon (iv) oxide is transferred to the deep ocean and is kept in sediments thereby reducing global warming.Fungi are important in the decay of aquatic plant materialsand the exoskeleton of insect (chitin). Alginic acid from brown algae is used for gelling food while algae based biofuel may replace fossil fuel by the year 2025. Protozoans are bio-indicators of the aquatic system. Aquatic microbes also cause a lot of diseases to aquatic organisms as well as man. The greenish discolouration of halibut is caused by some bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Flavobacterium marinum, F. fucalum and Actinobacter pellicidam. Saprophytic bacteria like Pseudomonas and Clostridium promotes decomposition of shell fish. Anthropogenic activities and biological interaction of predator-prey relationship between aquatic organiss,, bio-agents and chemical control are known to influence microbial load of aquatic systems. It can therefore be concluded that delibrate policies should be made to enforce rules and regulation that will prevent the release of pollutants and nutrients into our aquatic systems and energy flow within the food web or food chain of the aquatic system, normally regulate the microbial load of the system.
Key Words: Significance to life; Microbial load; Aquatic Ecosystem.
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