ISOLATION, SCREENING, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIA FROM KORANGI CREEK RIVER WITH ASSESSMENT OF THEIR BIOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL

Abstract

The environment is contaminated by an array of organic pollutants, many of which can permeate into wastewater. Municipal and industrial wastewater are the primary contributors of these pollutants in the aquatic environment and typically comprise substantial amounts of different organic compounds. Therefore, finding efficient ways to manage wastewater and other contaminated water is a crucial part of protecting the environment. Among the various methods of bioremediation, in-situ biodegradation emerges as one of the most potent and eco-conscious approaches. It harnesses naturally occurring bacteria to entirely break down or detoxify harmful pollutants, detrimental to both human health and the environment. This study aims to isolate and identify bacteria exhibiting biodegradation capabilities against a spectrum of organic pollutants, including carbohydrates, proteins, industrial dyes, and hydrocarbons from Korangi river via different morphological and biochemical methods. Municipal wastewater was collected from Korangi Creek River in Karachi and its physicochemical characteristics such as pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, conductivity, and salinity were assessed. The pour plate method was subsequently employed to isolate and assess the biodegradation potential of native bacterial strains. Isolated strains were identified by using microscopic and biochemical analysis. Three bacterial strains were selected from organiccontaminated wastewater based on their amylase activity, azoreductase activity, and kerosene-degrading activity. Different features were studied for all three biodegrading bacterial strains and were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. Ozaenae, Group A Streptococcus pyogenes and Nonenterococcus Streptococcus bovis by microbiological culture techniques and biochemical identification tests. This study assumes significance as it utilizes the ability of nature’s microorganisms to efficiently degrade and eliminate organic contaminants in a costeffective and eco-friendly way.