DIVERSITY AND DIMENSIONS OF NEMATODE OVA: A TOOL IN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

Nematode ova were enumerated and dimensions were measured in raw and treated wastewater from two (2) Haya Water sewage treatment plants situated in Muscat, the capital city. A total of 100 wastewater samples of 5 liter volume per sample were collected from Darsait (DST) and Al Ansab (ANS) Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) from 30 March-08 April 2011 at 4 hour interval from 6:00 am -10:00 pm on a daily basis. The US EPA modified method, double flotation technique using Sodium Nitrate was used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the parasitic ova, whereas, DP2-BSW software was applied for length/width measurement of the ova. Seven genera under Phylum Nematoda were found in the samples namely: Ascaris, Trichuris, Capillaria, Enterobius, Ancyclostoma (hookworm), Toxocara, and Strongyloides. Apparently, two types of cestode eggs under Phylum Platyhelminthes were also noted: Taenia and Hymenolepis. Size measurements were compared to publish dimensions. The study establishes the diversity, counts, and dimensions of the nematode ova content of the domestic wastewater in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. As primary generated information, the profile will be useful in wastewater management and skill enhancement of the laboratory personnel.