Cyanobacterial and Physicochemical Aspects of Water from Lake Bambili

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the physicochemical qualities of water and toxic cyanobacteria from Bambili lake to assess its potability. Study Design: Good water quality in the natural environment requires upstream management. Place and Duration of Study: Study took place from June 2024 to May 2025 in the Bambili lake and in the laboratory of biology, Higher Teacher Training College of The University of Bamenda at Bambili. Methodology: Cyanobacteria sampling was done using plankton net for phytoplankton, scraping rocks and pressing macrophytes for phytobenthos. Collected Samples were analyzed under a microscope. While, physicochemical parameters were sampled in situ and by laboratory testing on the water collected from the sampling sites for nitrates, total phosphorus, cadmium and lead by spectrophotometric methods. Results: For the 3 sampling sites, the organic parameters were high in concentration with a value varying from 1.45 mg/l to 1.70 mg/l, and 0.25 mg/l to 0.32 respectively for nitrates and total phosphorus (standard: ≤0.1 mg/l and ≤0.05 mg/l respectively). This could be detrimental to the lake as it would promote eutrophication. The least available chemical was Cadmium ranging from 0.23mg/l to 0.34mg/l. The total richness of cyanobacteria was 167 species group in 80 genera, 38 families and 13 orders. The bulk of these cyanobacteria where found in the Oscillatoriales which are known to produce cyanotoxins like microcystins which are a class of hepatotoxins. Conclusion: Bambili lake was polluted and toxic cyanobacteria were present and dense. Water from Bambili lake with a good upstream physicochemical treatment strategy would reduce cyanobacteria proliferation and eutrophication.