# Distribution patterns of Vibrionaceae abundance on the landing stages in coastal area: Understanding the influence of physicochemical variables by using multiple linear regression models and corrgram for matrix correlation

Antoine Tamsa Arfao, Mamert Fils Onana, Luciane Marlyse Moungang, Joel Brice Tchuimaleu Emadjeu, Blandine Pulchérie Tamatcho Kweyang, Olive Vivien Noah Ewoti, Siméon Tchakonté, Sylvie Chinche Belengfe, Télesphore Sime-Ngando, Nola Moise

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## To cite this version:

Antoine Tamsa Arfao, Mamert Fils Onana, Luciane Marlyse Moungang, Joel Brice Tchuimaleu Emadjeu, Blandine Pulchérie Tamatcho Kweyang, et al.. Distribution patterns of Vibrionaceae abundance on the landing stages in coastal area: Understanding the influence of physicochemical variables by using multiple linear regression models and corrgram for matrix correlation. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2021, 15 (6), pp.304-317. 10.5897/AJMR2021.9530. hal-03454657

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Submitted on 29 Nov 2021

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Full Length Research Paper

# Distribution patterns of Vibrionaceae abundance on the landing stages in coastal area: Understanding the influence of physicochemical variables by using multiple linear regression models and corrgram for matrix correlation

Antoine Tamsa Arfao¹*, Mamert Fils Onana², Luciane Marlyse Moungang¹, Joel Brice Tchuimaleu Emadjeu¹, Blandine Pulchérie Tamatcho Kweyang³, Olive Vivien Noah Ewoti¹, Siméon Tchakonté¹, Belengfe Sylvie Chinche⁴, Télesphore Sime-Ngando⁵ and Nola Moise¹

¹Hydrobiology and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, P. O. Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon.

²Department of Aquatic Ecosystems Management, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.

³Microbiology Laboratory, University of Yaounde 1, Faculty of Sciences, P. O. Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon.

⁴Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.

⁵Laboratoire Microorganismes Génome et Environnement (LMGE), Université Clermont Auvergne, Aubière Cedex, France.

Received 16 March, 2021; Accepted 13 May, 2021

The present work used multiple linear regression (MLR) models and corrgram to assess the importance of environmental parameters on diversity and abundance dynamics of *Vibrio* sp. in waters of few landing stages in the city of Douala (Cameroon). It was recorded in all the five selected stations, the presence of four species of *Vibrio* namely, *Vibrio parahaemolyticus*, *Vibrio cholerae*, *Vibrio fluvialis* and *Vibrio alginolyticus* whose highest abundance reached 5.65, 6.26, 4.9 and 4.83 log CFU/100 ml respectively. *Vibrio cholerae* was the most isolated during the study with a frequency of 65%. The abundance dynamics of these germs is strongly influenced by nitrates, salinity, dissolved carbon dioxyde (CO₂) and ammonium ions (NH₄⁺). The visualization of corrgram shows high degree of association between studied parameters. We note a coefficient of determination r² = 0.50 for the multiple linear regression model for Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria (HAB) and a coefficient of determination r² = 0.58 for the MLR model for *V. cholerae*. The physicochemical parameters explain at 43% (r² = 0.43) the distribution of the abundances of *V. parahaemolyticus*, at 45% (r² = 0.45) the distribution of abundances of *V. alginolyticus* and at 26% (r² = 0.26) for *V. fluvialis*.

**Keywords:** Multiple linear regression, visualization of corrgram, environmental parameters, distribution patterns, Vibrionaceae.

## INTRODUCTION
et al., 2018). They are vulnerable to the extremely variable conditions of coastal environments such as tides, storms and low flows (Conley, 2000; Gonzáles et al., 2004). This is the case of the urbanized hydrographic network of the Wouri, which is subjected to anthropogenic pressures due to the anarchic proliferation of industrial and urban activities and tidal phenomena (Tchakonté, 2016). The high activity in the coastal and marine waters can make an impact on the pollution and the quality of coastal and marine waters (Tanjung et al., 2019). Monitoring of the coastal water quality is vital from the perspectives of coastal resource usage and management (Pravakar et al., 2015). Estuaries and coastal areas are high strategic areas for economies and environment. They perform many biological and ecological functions such as fish nursery grounds. The ecological functioning of these nurseries is vital to allow the normal life cycle of many marine species of major economic interests.

Coasts are transitional surfaces between continents and the sea (Beatley et al., 1994). These are areas where the predominantly continental and oceanic mechanisms ignite and interact intensely. From an economic point of view, the coastal zone is essentially made up of consumers of fishery products and infrastructure that depend on river or sea ports (Niang et al., 2012). This structuring therefore brings out a submerged zone, made up of aquatic ecosystems (rivers, estuaries and seas) and another emerged (terrestrial) where intense economic activities take place within the limits of the coastal region which is located on either side of the coastline. Faced with multiple environmental stresses, bacteria in general and those of the genus Vibrio in particular have remarkable survival strategies and adaptations capacities of their physiological functions (Zhong et al., 2009).

Several studies have revealed that the dynamics of bacterioplankton abundance is generally controlled by various environmental parameters of the medium (Nola et al., 2002; Castaneda et al., 2005; Ben et al., 2014; Tamsa Arfao et al., 2021). The water quality depends of the physicochemical parameters of the waters (Hamuna et al., 2018). Vibrio species are known autochthonous populations found in freshwaters and marine sediments worldwide (Osunla and Okoh, 2017). However, few data are available on the distribution of vibrioplankton in Cameroonian coastal waters in general and at landing stages in particular. Little is known about the influence of physicochemical parameters on the diversity and abundance of bacteria of the vibrio genus in coastal areas. But, the influence of physicochemical parameters on this abundance dynamic has not been addressed very much.

Multiple linear regressions and correlation matrices are used by researchers to assess the quality of water environments. Multiple linear regression (MLR) is used to determine mathematical relationship among a number of random variables. In other terms, MLR examines how multiple independent variables are related to one dependent variable. Once each of the independent factors has been determined to predict the dependent variable, the information on the multiple variables can be used to create an accurate prediction on the level of effect they have on the outcome variable. These analysis method has been used for River water modelling prediction (Abba et al., 2017). The present work aims, through multiple linear regressions and correlation matrices, to determine the parameters which influence on the diversity and abundance of bacteria of the Vibrio genus at the landing stages in coastal areas.

# MATERIALS AND METHODS

## Study area and sampling stations

The study took place from February to July 2019 in the city of Douala, economic capital city of Cameroon and capital city of the Littoral Region. It is geographically located in the Golf of Guinea at the intersection of the parallel 04°03 North latitude and the 09°04 meridian East longitude. The climate is equatorial, Cameroonian type, coastal sub-type, with monomodal rainfall characterized by heavy rainfall (3414 mm on average in 2011) and an average ambient temperature of 26.3°C. There are two unevenly distributed seasons, a long rainy season which lasts nine months (March - November) and a short dry season which lasts three months (December - February) (Suchel, 1972).

Concerning the metrological data of the city of Douala during the study period, the air temperature varied from 26.1 to 27.6°C, the relative humidity as for it varies between 74 and 78%. The values of insolation and rainfall reach 190 KWh / m² / d and 592.2 mm respectively.

The vegetation, initially of the humid dense forest type, is completely degraded nowadays. The very dense hydrographic network is made up of the Wouri and Dibamba rivers and their tributaries which irrigate almost the entire city. At the petrographic level, the soils consist mainly of sandy and clayey-sandy formations (Giresse et al., 1996). In order to have a clear idea of the location of the different study sites, the geographical coordinates of all the sampling stations were determined using a Garmin Etrex 30 brand GPS. Those coordinates are given in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the geographical location of the study area and the sampling stations.

The choice of sampling stations was made on the basis of their accessibility, their economic importance and their proximity to marketplaces. These different stations serve as clearinghouse for the landing of sea products of various species (shrimp, fish, skate), and the risks of contamination of the landing stages are higher. A total of five stations were chosen including two stations at the Youpwe landing stage (Youpwe 1 and 2), one station at the Essengue and Akwa North landing stages and a last station at the Sandaga port. At each site, water sample was collected in a 500 ml

<footnote>*Corresponding author. E-mail: tamsarfao@yahoo.fr.</footnote>
<table><caption>**Table 1.** Geographic coordinate of the sampling stations.</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Geographic coordinate</th><th colspan="5">Sampling stations</th></tr><tr><th>Youpwe 1</th><th>Youpwe 2</th><th>Akwa North</th><th>Essengue</th><th>Sandaga</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Altitude (m)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>3.6</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Latitude</td><td>04°01'26,7"</td><td>04°01'35"</td><td>04°04'58"</td><td>04°2'267"</td><td>04°03'43,3"</td></tr><tr><td>Longitude</td><td>09°40'0,6"</td><td>09°40'02"</td><td>09°42'41"</td><td>09°40'06"</td><td>09°41'57,7"</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1.** Map of the study area showing sampling stations</figcaption></figure>

sterile glass bottle labeled A, and in a 1000 ml clean polyethylene bottle labeled B. Both samples were transported to the laboratory in a cooler with icepacks (7±2°C) for further analyses. The sample in bottle A and that in the polyethylene bottle B were for the assessment of the bacterioplankton cells and for some physicochemical analysis respectively.

## Measurement of environmental variables

At the level of each sampling station, the physicochemical analysis focused on 12 variables. Physicochemical parameters (Water Temperature (°C), pH (CU), dissolved oxygen (% of saturation), electrical conductivity of water (µS / cm), salinity (psu), dissolved CO₂ (mg/L), suspended Solids (mg/L), water color (Pt.Co), turbidity

(FTU), nitrates (mg/L), orthophosphates (mg/L of PO₄³⁻) and ammonium ions (mg/L of NH₄⁺)) were measured according to the techniques described by APHA (2009) and Rodier (2009).

## Bacterial isolation and identification

The quantitative analysis of bacteria aimed at isolating and counting of heterotrophic aerobe bacteria (HAB) and bacteria of the genera *Vibrio* sp. The analysis technique used was that of surface spreading on Agar culture media poured into Petri dishes. HABs were isolated on ordinary agar medium, incubated at 22°C for 5 days (Tamsa Arfao., 2021). Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts (TCBS ; BioMerieux) was used for the isolation *Vibrio* sp, incubated at the temperature of 37°C for 24 h. The Identification of *Vibrio* species
began with the research for mobility type and Gram staining. Gram stain provides information on the morphology and structure of the bacteria wall. The parameters considered were the colour, size and shape of the colonies on the TCBS agar. Classical biochemical identification has made it possible to search for enzymes such as oxidase, lysine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, urease, tryptophanase and βgalactosidase (Holt et al., 2000). From a pure culture colony on alkaline nutrient agar, a suspension in sterile distilled water was prepared. The bacterial suspension were distributed in the capsules of the API 20E system (BioMérieux, France). The metabolites produced were made evident by color reactions or by addition of reagents, after 24 h of incubation at 37°C. Corresponding bacterial species were determined numerically with the help of APIDENT 2.0 software. The identification rate was maintained at least at 98%. The count of isolated germs was carried out using an OSI brand colony counter. Bacterial abundances are expressed in decimal logarithmic units Colonial Forming Units (CFU) per 100 ml of water sample.

## Data and statistical analysis

Data was typed using Microsoft Excel and imported into the programme SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was first applied to check the normality of the distribution before comparing environmental parameters and abundances of bacteria isolated. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test were then performed with SPSS 25.0 to verify significant differences between stations considering each environmental parameter. The corrplot function of R Software version 3.5.0 allowed us to obtain corrgram. A corrgram represents the graph of a correlation matrix. The corrgram is very important to highlight the most correlated variables. In this type of graph, the correlation coefficients are colored according to their value. The correlation matrix can also be reordered according to the degree of correlation between the variables. This corrgram was used to measure the degree of association between abiotic variables on one hand, and between abiotic and biological variables on the other hand. Multiple linear regression models were done to establish relationships between the physicochemical variables and abundance bacteria of *Vibrionacae*. This statistical method predicts the level of variation between the variables and defined by the following equation:

$$y_i = b_0 + b_1x_1 + b_2x_2 + \dots + b_i x_i$$

Where, for i = n observations, y_i is dependent variable, x_i is explanatory variables, b_0 is y-intercept (constant term) and b_i the slope coefficients for each explanatory variable (Parmar and Bhardwaj, 2015; Chen and Liu, 2015).

## RESULTS

### Environmental variables

The minimum and maximum values, the mean values and standard deviations of the physicochemical parameters measured at each landing stage studied are presented in Table 2. The results of the comparison tests of the Kruskal Wallis test have also been presented. The water temperature and pH values varied from 28 to 31.44°C and from 7.81 ± 1.02 and 9.14 ± 0.99 CU. The average temperature values fluctuated between 29.03 ± 1.33 and 30.57 ± 0.91°C with a high value recorded in March at the Essengue landing stage. The lowest pH

value was recorded in February at Youpwe 2 and the highest value in June at Akwa North landing stage. Dissolved CO₂ content varied with mean values between 52.89 ± 12.80 and 91.06 ± 63.62 mg/L. No significant difference was observed between the stations (Kruskal-Wallis H test; p > 0.05) for these two parameters. The same was true for the pH values, which also showed no significant difference between the different landing stages.

Suspended solids contents were relatively high at most stations throughout the sampling period. The mean values ranged from 14.33 ± 3.14 mg/L to 49.50 ± 30.7 mg/L. The evolution of suspended solids content showed significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis H test; p < 0.05), in particular between the Youpwe 1 and Sandaga wharves, between Youpwe 2 and Akwa North, and between Essengue and Akwa North (Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.05). Turbidity contents ranged from 10 to 153 NTU. The lowest values were obtained at the Sandaga stations and the highest in March at the Akwa North station. Water color fluctuated between 17 and 447 Pt.Co during the study. The variation profile of these two parameters does not show any significant difference between the different stations studied (p > 0.05). Regarding ammonium ions, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed with mean values between 0.13 ± 0.08 and 0.49 ± 0.27 mg/L. The differences observed were between Youpwe 1 and the other landing stages except those of Youpwe 2 and Akwa North (p < 0.05). Water salinity showed relatively stable spatial fluctuations during the study period. However, the highest salinity concentration was obtained in March in Essengue (12.28 psu) and the lowest in July at the Akwa North landing stage (0.29 psu) with average values between 0.38 ± 0.07 and 10.05 ± 1.58 psu. Variations in salinity were significant between all the stations (Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.05), except between the Youpwe 1 and Essengue docks where there is no significant difference (p > 0.05). Dissolved oxygen saturation rate had mean values between 60.93 ± 9.65 and 70.85 ± 8.37%, the greatest value being observed at the Sandaga landing stage. The same statistical results are observed for waters which content nitrates and phosphates (Kruskal-Wallis H test; p > 0.05). Electrical conductivity varied between 10.1 and 767 µS/cm at the landing stages of Essengue and Akwa North respectively. A significant difference was recorded (p < 0.05), in particular between the Youpwe 1 and Akwa North wharves, between Youpwe 2 and Akwa North. The lowest nitrate content in the water was obtained in Sandaga in April (1.8 mg/L) while the highest nitrate concentration was 13.22 mg/L. This value was recorded in Essengue in June. The highest level of phosphates reached the value of 1.591 mg/L, observed at the Youpwe 1.

### Biochemical characterization of isolates

The cultural characters of the different *Vibrio* species
<table><caption>**Table 2.** Physicochimie metric for different stations studied.</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Metric</th><th colspan="5">Stations</th><th rowspan="2">K-W test</th></tr><tr><th>Youpwe 1</th><th>Youpwe 2</th><th>Akwa North</th><th>Essengue</th><th>Sandaga</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Temperature (°C)</td><td>28 - 30.5<br>29.58 ± 0.92</td><td>29 - 31<br>30.25 ± 0.76</td><td>29 - 31<br>30.26 ± 0.99</td><td>29 - 31.44<br>30.57 ± 0.91</td><td>28 - 31.2<br>29.03 ± 1.33</td><td>H = 6.944<br>P = 0.139</td></tr><tr><td>Dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> (mg/L)</td><td>17.5 - 167.2<br>68.35 ± 70.24</td><td>44 - 190.8<br>91.06 ± 63.62</td><td>34.44 - 68.3<br>52.89 ± 12.80</td><td>21.28 - 190.1<br>57.49 ± 65.37</td><td>32.08 - 93.56<br>67.51 ± 23.07</td><td>H = 5.454<br>P = 0.244</td></tr><tr><td>pH (C.U)</td><td>6.2 - 9.3<br>7.94 ± 1.21</td><td>4.82 - 9.2<br>7.87 ± 1.68</td><td>7.4 - 10.7<br>9.05 ± 1.51</td><td>6.47 - 9.04<br>7.81 ± 1.02</td><td>7.37 - 10.09<br>9.14 ± 0.99</td><td>H = 6.190<br>P = 0.185</td></tr><tr><td>Salinity (psu)</td><td>7.02 - 9.59<br>8.67 ± 0.88<sup>a</sup></td><td>6.98 - 8.01<br>7.41 ± 0.45<sup>b</sup></td><td>0.29 - 0.47<br>0.38 ± 0.07<sup>c</sup></td><td>8.2 - 12.28<br>10.05 ± 1.58<sup>d,a</sup></td><td>1.6 - 2.13<br>1.96 ± 0.21<sup>e</sup></td><td>H = 25.948<br>P = 0.000</td></tr><tr><td>Dissolved oxygen (%)</td><td>45 - 74.4<br>63.4 ± 11.01</td><td>49 - 77.1<br>60.93 ± 9.65</td><td>46.1 - 71<br>61.80 ± 9.61</td><td>67.1 - 73<br>69.58 ± 2.55</td><td>55.8 - 79.1<br>70.85 ± 8.37</td><td>H = 5.929<br>P = 0.205</td></tr><tr><td>Nitrates (mg/L NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>)</td><td>2 - 12.1<br>8.37 ± 4.49<sup>a</sup></td><td>3.8 - 10<br>7.03 ± 2.84</td><td>2.1 - 12<br>7.5 ± 3.29</td><td>6.2 - 13.22<br>10.54 ± 2.63</td><td>1.8 - 11.23<br>3.17 ± 3.14</td><td>H = 5.786<br>P = 0.216</td></tr><tr><td>Suspended solids (mg/L)</td><td>9 - 33<br>17.33 ± 8.31<sup>a</sup></td><td>5 - 32<br>23.50 ± 9.75<sup>b,a</sup></td><td>13 - 100<br>49.50 ± 30.7<sup>c,a</sup></td><td>11 - 20<br>14.33 ± 3.14<sup>d,b,a</sup></td><td>18 - 70<br>40.17 ± 22.43<sup>e,b,c,d</sup></td><td>H = 12.815<br>P = 0.012</td></tr><tr><td>Conductivity (µS/cm)</td><td>13.28 - 16.8<br>15.13 ± 1.32<sup>a,e</sup></td><td>13.21 - 166<br>58.2 ± 68.89<sup>b,a</sup></td><td>137 - 767<br>336.83 ± 300<sup>c</sup></td><td>10.1 - 194<br>64.42 ± 84.48<sup>d,a,b,c</sup></td><td>11.12 - 384<br>107.1 ± 144.8<sup>e,b,c,d</sup></td><td>H = 10.135<br>P = 0.038</td></tr><tr><td>Tubidity (NTU)</td><td>53 - 104<br>78.67 ± 20.57</td><td>38 - 78<br>66.17 ± 17.01</td><td>28 - 153<br>85.17 ± 57.24</td><td>21 - 58<br>41.17 ± 13.41</td><td>10 - 147<br>56.50 ± 63.47</td><td>H = 6.709<br>P = 0.152</td></tr><tr><td>Color (Pt-Co)</td><td>17 - 179<br>101.5 ± 66.64</td><td>36 - 149<br>63.67 ± 42.79</td><td>26 - 447<br>204 ± 200.2</td><td>30 - 99<br>61.67 ± 32.86</td><td>100 - 355<br>163.67 ± 97.0</td><td>H = 5.393<br>P = 0.249</td></tr><tr><td>Phosphates (mg/L PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup>)</td><td>0.22 - 1.59<br>0.66 ± 0.51</td><td>0.14 - 1.56<br>0.67 ± 0.65</td><td>0.08 - 1.32<br>0.52 ± 0.46</td><td>0.12 - 0.9<br>0.34 ± 0.29</td><td>0.21 - 0.86<br>0.42 ± 0.23</td><td>H = 2.034<br>P = 0.729</td></tr><tr><td>Ammoniacal nitrogen (mg/L NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>)</td><td>0.09 - 0.76<br>0.43 ± 0.24<sup>a</sup></td><td>0.06 - 0.75<br>0.49 ± 0.27<sup>b,a</sup></td><td>0.1 - 0.49<br>0.32 ± 0.14<sup>c,a,b</sup></td><td>0.03 - 0.22<br>0.13 ± 0.08<sup>d</sup></td><td>0.06 - 0.17<br>0.13 ± 0.04<sup>e,d</sup></td><td>H = 12.502<br>P = 0.014</td></tr></tbody></table>

Values represent Min – Max & mean ± standard deviation. Kruskal–Wallis (K–W) tests were used to evaluate differences among the four groups. In the same row, values followed by different superscripts (a,b,c,d,e) are significantly different (Kruskal–Wallis test).

listed were yellow and flat colonies of 2 to 3 mm in diameter, presumptive of *Vibrio cholerae*, then yellow colonies of large size presumptive of *Vibrio alginolyticus*, then yellow or translucent colonies presumptive of *Vibrio fluvialis* and *Vibrio vulnificus* and finally those which were colorless with green center, presumptive of *Vibrio parahaemolyticus*.

The biochemical tests carried out using the API20E system from the colonies isolated on TCBS made it possible to have the biochemical profile of the strains studied as presented in the Table 3. Overall, it emerges that all the isolated species are positive in the tests for oxidase, glucose, mannitol and nitrates. They are all

negative on urease and lactose tests and do not produce gas.

However, only *V. parahaemolyticus* is negative to the sucrose test while the others (*V. alginolyticus*, *V. cholerae* and *V. fluvialis*) are positive. *V. fluvialis* species are distinguished by their positivity in the ADH (arginine di-hydrolase)
<table><caption>**Table 3.** Identification tests carried out and different species isolated.</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Biochemical tests</th><th colspan="4">Bacteria species</th></tr><tr><th>V. parahaemolyticus</th><th>V. fluavilis</th><th>V. cholarae</th><th>V. alginoticus</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Oxydase</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Urease</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Glucose</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Lactose</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Gas</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>H<sub>2</sub>S</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Mannitol</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Mobility</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Saccharose</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Nitrates</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>ONPG</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Indole</td><td>+</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Gelatinase</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>Citrate</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>+</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>LCD</td><td>+</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>+</td></tr><tr><td>ODC</td><td>+</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>+/-</td></tr><tr><td>ADH</td><td>-</td><td>+</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Colony color</td><td>Green</td><td></td><td>Yellow</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2.** Spatio-temporal variations in cell abundance of Heterotrophic Aerobe Bacteria.</figcaption></figure>

test, while all the others are negative in this test. Finally, *V. alginolyticus* and *V. cholerae* are distinguished by their reactivity or not to citrate. Citrate is degraded by *V. cholerae* but not by *V. alginolyticus* because it does not use it as a source of carbon for its food needs.

## Spatiotemporal variations of studies bacteria

The spatiotemporal variations in the abundance of bacterial germs are presented in Figures 2 and 3. These

are HAB and *V. cholerae*, *V. alginolyticus*, *V. fluvialis* and *V. parahaemolyticus*. The abundances of HAB cells, expressed in decimal logarithmic units (CFU/100 ml), ranged from 4.73 to 6.32. The lowest value was observed in March at Akwa North wharf and the highest abundance at Youpwe 2 wharves in April and July respectively (Figure 2). Cell concentrations of *V. cholerae* and *V. parahaemolyticus* fluctuated from 3.30 Log10 units (CFU/100 ml) to 6.26 Log10 units (CFU/100 ml) and from 0 to 5.6 Log10 units (CFU/100 ml), respectively (Figure 3A and B). The abundances of *V. alginolyticus* were
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3.** Spatio-temporal variations in cell abundance of *Vibrio cholerae* (A), *Vibrio parahaemolyticus* (B), *Vibrio alginolyticus* (C), *Vibrio fluvialis*.</figcaption></figure>

between 0 and 4.86 Log10 units (CFU/100 ml) (Figure 3D). The densities of *V. fluvialis* ranged from 0 to 4.90 Log10 units (CFU/100 ml) (Figure 3D).

## Relative frequency of bacteria isolated

Figures 4 and 5 shows the relative frequencies of bacteria isolated at each study station. In Youpwe 1 station, HAB predominated with a relative frequency of 92%. *V. cholerae* was the second most abundant group (6%). The relative frequencies of the other organisms were 1% for *V. parahaemolyticus*, 1% for *V. fluvialis* and 0% for *V. alginolyticus*. In station Youpwe 2, HAB dominated with a relative frequency of 76% followed by *V. cholerae* (15%), then *V. parahaemolyticus* (7%), then *V. fluvialis* and *V. alginolyticus* with 1% respectively. At Akwa North station the relative frequencies are 70% for HAB, 29% for *V. cholerae*, 1% for *V. parahaemolyticus*, 0% for *V. fluvialis* and *V. alginolyticus* respectively. In the Essengue station, HAB predominated with a relative frequency of 65%. *V. cholerae* was the second most abundant group (23%), the relative frequencies of the other organisms were 9% for *V. parahaemolyticus*, 2% for *V. fluvialis* and 1% for *V. alginolyticus* (Figure 4). In the Sandaga station, HAB predominated with a relative

frequency of 93% followed by *V. cholerae*, *V. parahaemolyticus* and *V. alginolyticus* with 2% respectively. *V. fluvialis* is the last group with a relative frequency of 1% (Figure 5).

## Corrgram of studied parameters

Each correlation in the correlation matrix is represented by a disk which color and size are directly related to the correlation represented. The corrgram obtained from correlation matrix is presented on Figures 6 to 8. In the Youpwe 1 station, the most salient significant correlations were recorded between HAB and dissolved CO₂, suspended solids and orthophosphates (negative correlations) on one hand, and with temperature nitrates and ammonium ions (positive correlations) on the other hand. *V. chlorae* is positively and significantly correlated with pH and nitrates, and negatively correlated with turbidity. Ammonium ions and orthophosphates, on their part, positively influenced the abundances of *V. parahaemolyticus* and *V. alginolyticus* while there is a significant and negative correlation between these two species and dissolved oxygen (Figure 6A). In Youpwe 2 station, pH, nitrates and suspended solids significantly and positively influenced the distribution of HAB and
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4.** Relative frequency of each group of bacteria studied at the landing stages of Youwpe 1, Youwpe 2, Akwa North and Essengue.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5.** Relative frequency of each group of bacteria studied at the landing stage of Sandaga.</figcaption></figure>

*Vibrio cholerae* while salinity and dissolved CO₂ had a negative influence (Figure 6B). At the AKWA landing stage, there is a significant and negative correlation between HAB and Ammonium ions while temperature positively influences their distribution. *Vibrio cholerae* is positively influenced by pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen. Salinity significantly and negatively influences the distribution of *V. cholerae* and *V. parahaemolyticus*. Nitrates, electrical conductivity, turbidity and colour positively influenced the distribution of *V. alginolyticus* and *V. fluvialis* while ammonium ions and pH negatively

influenced their distribution in this station (Figure 7A).

At the Essengue station, the most prominent correlations are observed between temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity, turbidity, colour, HAB, *Vibrio cholerae*, *V. alginolyticus* and *V. fluvialis* (significant and negative correlations). On the other hand, positive correlations are observed with pH and nitrates (Figure 7B). At the Sandaga station, a significant and positive correlation was noted between HAB, *V. cholerae* and salinity. No negative correlation was noted between HAB and the physicochemical parameters at this station.
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>(B)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6.** Corrgram for studied parameters at the landing stages of Youpwe 1 (A) and Youpwe 2 (B), correlations shown by color and intensity of shading.</figcaption></figure>

Strong significant and negative correlations are noted between *V. parahaemolyticus*, *V. alginolyticus*, pH and nitrates. *V. fluvialis* is influenced significantly and

negatively by dissolved oxygen and Ammonium ions and significantly and positively correlated with temperature, dissolved CO₂, suspended solids, electrical conductivity,
<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>(B)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 7.** Corrgram for studied parameters at the landing stages of Akwa Nord (A) and Essengue (B), correlations shown by color and intensity of shading.</figcaption></figure>

turbidity, color and orthophosphates (Figure 8).

**Multiple linear regression analysis between bacterial abundance and abiotic factors**

The analysis of the multiple regressions between the abundances of isolated bacteria and the physicochemical variables in the different stations is presented in Table 4.

The model equations explaining the distribution of

bacteria have made it possible to observe some important relationships based on the coefficient of determination ($r^2$) which measures the accuracy of the prediction of the distribution of the bacterial abundances studied. We therefore note a coefficient of determination $r^2 = 0.50$ for the multiple linear regression model for HAB and a coefficient of determination $r^2 = 0.58$ for the multiple linear regression model for *V. cholerae*. Furthermore, for the bacteria *V. parahaemolyticus*, *V. alginolyticus* and *V. fluvialis*, the model explains less than
<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 8.** Corrgram for studied parameters at the landing stage of Sandaga, correlations shown by color and intensity of shading.</figcaption></figure>

<table><caption>**Table 4.** Results of Multiple linear regression models between the physicochemical variables and abundance bacteria.</caption><thead><tr><th>Dependent variables</th><th>n</th><th>Model equation</th><th>F</th><th>r<sup>2</sup></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Heterotrophic aerobe bacteria</td><td>30</td><td>- 54850.17 + 1149.39*Temp - 16.42*DCO<sup>2</sup> -288.52*pH - 18.53*Sali + 328.07*DO + 586.98*NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> + 8130*SS + 2.10*Cond + 20.92*Turb -11.62*Col + 13971.30*NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> + 3713.94*PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup></td><td>1.39</td><td>0.50</td></tr><tr><td>V. cholerae</td><td>30</td><td>- 60747.20 + 1363.89*Temp - 46.58*DCO<sup>2</sup> + 3239.60*pH + 679.89*Sali - 43.62*DO - 307.90*NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> + 22.62*SS + 8.65*Cond - 44.62*Turb -9.64*Col + 2984.76*NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> + 3967.77*PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup></td><td>1.95</td><td>0.58</td></tr><tr><td>V. parahaemolyticus</td><td>30</td><td>- 1223.44 + 221.40*Temp + 3.89*DCO<sup>2</sup> - 513*pH - 97.90*Sali -17.44*DO + 172.98*NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> + 10.95*SS - 3.43*Cond + 2.51*Turb - 3.02*Col - 1045.91*NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> + 485.84*PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup></td><td>1.06</td><td>0.43</td></tr><tr><td>V. alginolyticus</td><td>30</td><td>712.10 - 15.27*Temp + 2.10*DCO<sup>2</sup> - 116.98*pH - 15.30*Sali + 5.93*DO + 39.56*NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> + 5.84*SS - 0.19*Cond - 0.61*Turb - 0.45*Col - 13.11*NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> + 65.51*PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup></td><td>1.15</td><td>0.45</td></tr><tr><td>V. fluvialis</td><td>30</td><td>1305.76 - 36.95*Temp + 1.68*DCO<sup>2</sup> - 49.85*pH -3.07*Sali - 1.29*DO + 41.01*NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> + 2.72*SS + 0.02*Cond + 0.99*Turb - 0.58*Col - 185.26*NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> - 53.26*PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup></td><td>0.49</td><td>0.26</td></tr></tbody></table>

50% of the total variation. The physicochemical parameters explain at 43% ($r^2$ = 0.43) the distribution of the abundances of *V. parahaemolyticus*, at 45% ($r^2$ = 0.45) the distribution of abundances of *V. alginolyticus* and at 26% ($r^2$ = 0.26) for *V. fluvialis*.

DISCUSSION

The results of the physicochemical parameters show

temporal variations. Overall, the water taken from the landing stages had temperatures that vary very little around an average of 29.94 ± 0.98°C. These temperatures are compatible with the activity of isolated microorganisms which are all mesophilic and promote the dissolution of gases and salts in water. Studies have shown that some pathogens grow extremely well at a mesophilic temperature range of 15 to 45°C for most strains (Vezzulli et al., 2016; Brenzinger et al., 2019). The surface water in the city of Douala is significantly warmer,
this could be explained by the fact that the city of Douala is closer to the sea and there is a high concentration of industrial activities and a strong urbanization of the watershed which exposes the water to solar rays. These observations are consistent with some studies in the same Wouri River (Tchakonté et al., 2014). Regarding water pH, it varies from one campaign to another, increases slightly between May and July. The slightly basic tendency of the pH was same in all the studical stations. The absence of significant differences in pH between the different studied stations would reflect the nature of the pedological substratum of the coastal region, which is the same everywhere. Indeed, the characteristic soils of this region are acidic and rich in iron hydroxide and alumina (Asaah et al., 2006). However, the monthly fluctuations in this parameter would probably be due to the influence of precipitation, industrial and urban discharges (Tamsa et al., 2021). Furthermore, the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in all the sites was relatively high. These high dissolved CO₂ contents should normally lead to acidic waters due to the formation of carbonic acid following the reaction of CO₂ with water.

The average salinity obtained for all the months and for all the stations was 5.69 ± 0.64 psu) this would therefore be due to a compensation of these contents by carbonic acid formed. In addition, regions subjected to relatively high temperatures experience water losses through evapotranspiration, which indirectly influence the salinity content of their waters (NOAA, 2014). The data obtained from oxygen contents showed relatively high oxygen saturation percentage values (65%) in June corresponding to the rainy month. During heavy rains, passive diffusion at the air-water interface by agitation of the water promotes its reoxygenation (Ginet and Decou, 1997). In addition, these variations would be directly linked to the seasonal variations in water temperature which condition the process of oxygen solubility. Suspended solids contents were relatively high in most stations throughout the sampling period. In fact, during the rainy season, pollutants and garbage removed by dredging on the watersheds are washed away by runoff (Koji et al., 2017). The parameter average for all stations is 28.97 ± 14.86 mg/L. Surface water with a Suspended Solids concentration between 14 and 24 mg/L is of questionable quality (Hébert and Légaré, 2000). This doubt of the quality of the water in these landing stages is reinforced by the results of the survey carried out among residents. Indeed, it results from this survey that an average quantity of 1 tonne 563 kg of waste is produced and dumped by the respondents per day in the waters of the said landing stages. Turbidity remained almost constant in all the stations during the first four months of the study and dropped sharply in June significantly (p ≤ 0.05). This drop would be due to the dilution of the water in the landing stages by the heavy rains recorded between the end of May and the beginning of June.

Turbidity, Suspended Solids and color values were

significantly correlated throughout the study period. Water is more turbid and colored when the density of the particles in suspension are higher (Rodier et al., 2009; Koji et al., 2017; Tamsa Arfao et al., 2021). Moreover, water color entirely results from the extraction of the organic matters in decomposition, as well as the dissolution of some ions as iron, the manganese and the copper (Olanezuk-Neyman and Bray, 2000; Signe et al., 2015).

The average phosphate obtained from the entire sample was 0.52 ± 0.43 mg/L. Organic pollution is perceptible when the orthophosphate content is greater than 0.5 mg/L, on the basis of this it can be affirmed that the waters of the landing stages are polluted (Tamsa et al., 2021). The ammonium ions contents were generally high. The average content of this parameter was 0.30 ± 0.15 mg/L for this study. Ammonium ion contents of the order of 0.5 to 1 mg/L of NH₄⁺ in surface waters suggest sources of pollution located upstream and concentrations greater than 0.3 mg/L of NH₄⁺ testify to significant organic pollution (Rodier et al., 2009). The nitrate values for the whole sampling period ranged from 2 to 13.22 mg/L with an average of 7.92 ± 3.28 mg/L. The high levels of mineral nitrogen (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) and orthophosphates in the water at the various stations reflect the strong mineralization of the water and the anthropized nature of the Wouri watershed, which is distinguished by its significant input of allochthone organic matter, nitrogenous and/or phosphorus metabolic waste emanating from human activity. HAB provide an overall assessment of the microbial contamination of an aquatic environment by providing information on its autochthonous and allochthonous microflora (Larif et al., 2013; Abologo et al., 2016; Tamsa et al., 2021). Different species belonging to the *Vibrio* genus whose presence in water and food constitutes a danger to the health of the populations were isolated and identified from the water samples from all the wharves. These are *V. parahaemolyticus*, *V. cholerae*, *V. fluvialis* and *V. alginolyticus*. These species, known for their role in infectious diarrhea in humans, especially *V. cholerae* and *V. parahaemolyticus*, have been regularly isolated with spatial and temporal occurrence rates of 100% each.

The rates of occurrence of *V. fluvialis* and *V. alginolyticus*, not significantly different from the previous ones reached 100 and 80% spatially and temporally respectively. These high rates of isolation obtained both spatially and temporally justify the endogenous character of *Vibrio* for coastal and marine environments (Bonhomme, 2003) as well as the endemic character of vibrioses, with occurrence of cholera in Douala. According to some authors, isolation rates greater than 50% for an organism in a medium indicate that the latter is constant in this habitat (Dajoz, 2000). The analysis of the model of the dynamics of abundance of vibrioplankton made it possible to note a variation in the concentration of these bacterial cells under the effect of the water
temperature, organic matter, pH, dissolved oxygen and salinity. According to similar modeling work, the increase in the concentration of vibrioplankton is explained by temperature and salinity in surface water in Georgia (USA) (Turner et al., 2009). Many authors have reported on the temperature and salinity as determining factors in the regulation of growth and survival of *Vibrios* in surface water (Wang and Gu, 2005; Johnson et al., 2012). Other authors have contributed to the elaboration of predictive model for *V. cholerae* on the basis of the variation of temperature and salinity (Louis et al., 2003; Huq et al., 2005). Positive correlation exhibited by temperature indicates its importance on distribution and abundance of *Vibrio* spp (Osunla et al., 2021). Indeed, bacteria of the *Vibrio* genus are able to adapt themselves to low levels of salinity in water with high temperatures in the Wouri estuary. The regression models with HAB and *V. cholerae* explain more than 50% of the total variation and the physicochemical parameters explain at 43% the distribution of the abundances of *V. parahaemolyticus*, at 45% the distribution of abundances of *V. alginolyticus* and at 26% for *V. fluvialis*. In fact, several authors have widely published on the influence of temperature and salinity on the abundances of Vibrionaceae in coastal and estuarine waters (Johnson et al., 2012; Baker-Austin et al., 2013). Bacterial species of the genus *Vibrio* are often associated with aquatic environments with particular physical and chemical properties. Thus, those incriminated in epidemics have always been associated with sea water (saline). Some authors shown that the distribution of *Vibrio* species positively and significantly correlated with turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total dissolved solid, total suspended solid, electrical conductivity and salinity (Osunla et al., 2021). The strong positive association of water temperature on the occurrence of *V. cholerae*, for example in the Akwa landing stage, confirms this relationship. In addition, the highest concentration of vibrioplankton in urban waters can be explained by the ability of these bacteria to adapt to organic pollution. According to some authors, vibrios are able to reduce forms of nitrogen in water to take advantage of urban pollution (Grimes et al., 2009).

## Conclusion

At the end of this study, it emerges that the waters of the wharves are home to a large community of heterotrophic aerobic mesophilic bacteria including 4 species of the *Vibrio* genera, namely *V. cholerae*, *V. parahaemolyticus*, *V. alginolyticus*, and *V. fluvialis*. *V. cholerae* was the most frequently isolated and also the most abundant. The isolation of these bacteria in the water points studied can be source of real public health problems for the using populations, and are incriminated in many diarrheal diseases, food poisoning and gastroenteritis would justify the outbreaks of vibriosis recorded in Douala for several years. The Multiple linear regression models and the

visualization of corrgram revealed that the diversity and abundance dynamics of these germs is strongly influenced by nitrates, salinity, dissolved carbon dioxide and ammonium ions.

## CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.

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