Hatha, A A M; Abhirosh, Chandran; Sherin, Varghese; Ellen, Kandeler; Ambattu, Thomas; Asit, Mazumder(Elsevier, January 15, 2011)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Microcosm studies were performed to evaluate the survival of Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi and
Vibrio parahaemolyticus in water and sediment collected from the freshwater region of Vembanad Lake
(9 35◦N 76 25◦E) along the south west coast of India. All three test microorganisms showed significantly
(p < 0.01) higher survival in sediment compared to overlying water. The survival in different sediment
types with different particle size and organic carbon content revealed that sediment with small particle
size and high organic carbon content could enhance their extended survival (p < 0.05). The results indicate
that sediments of the Lake could act as a reservoir of pathogenic bacteria and exhibit a potential health
hazard from possible resuspension and subsequent ingestion during recreational activities. Therefore,
the assessment of bacterial concentration in freshwater Lake sediments used for contact and non contact
recreation has of considerable significance for the proper assessment of microbial pollution of the
overlying water, and for the management and protection of related health risk at specific recreational
sites. Besides, assessment of the bacterial concentration in sediments can be used as a relatively stable
indicator of long term mean bacterial concentration in the water column above
Description:
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 214 (2011) 258– 264