Spatial variability of E. coli in an urban salt-wedge estuary.
Mar Pollut Bull
; 114(1): 114-122, 2017 Jan 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27592313
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the spatial variability of a common faecal indicator organism, Escherichia coli, in an urban salt-wedge estuary in Melbourne, Australia. Data were collected through comprehensive depth profiling in the water column at four sites and included measurements of temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and E. coli concentrations. Vertical variability of E. coli was closely related to the salt-wedge dynamics; in the presence of a salt-wedge, there was a significant decrease in E. coli concentrations with depth. Transverse variability was low and was most likely dwarfed by the analytical uncertainties of E. coli measurements. Longitudinal variability was also low, potentially reflecting minimal die-off, settling, and additional inputs entering along the estuary. These results were supported by a simple mixing model that predicted E. coli concentrations based on salinity measurements. Additionally, an assessment of a sentinel monitoring station suggested routine monitoring locations may produce conservative estimates of E. coli concentrations in stratified estuaries.
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Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Microbiologia da Água
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Monitoramento Ambiental
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Estuários
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Escherichia coli
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article