Distribution of microbiological indicators of fecal pollution in the riverine substrates

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 172; no. 1-4; pp. 623 - 630
• Main Authors: Kovačić, Ana, Tripković, Ingrid, Galov, Ana, Žitko, Toni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 2011; Springer Netherlands; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algae; Applied sciences; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bacteria; Biofilms; Brackish; Coliforms; Contaminated sediments; Croatia; E coli; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental indicators; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental testing; Estuaries; Exact sciences and technology; Fecal coliforms; Fecal pollution; Feces; Feces - microbiology; Membrane filters; Microbiological analysis; Microorganisms; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; periphyton; Pollution; Rivers; Sediments; Statistical analysis; Studies; Surface water; Waste materials; water; Water analysis; Water Microbiology; Water pollution; Water sampling; Water supply; Žrnovnica; Europe; Croatia; MED, Croatia; Water; Žrnovnica; Sediment; Fecal pollution; Coliforms; Periphyton; Microbiology; Biological indicator; Sediments; Pollution; Pathogenic; Surface water; Stream; Aquatic plant; Biological contamination
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1360-4

Distribution of fecal microorganisms in water, periphyton, and sediment was studied along the Žrnovnica river (Croatia) over a 1.5-year period. It was found that periphyton was inhabited by the highest number of investigated bacteria, while lower numbers of them were found in sediment and the lowest in surface water of the river. The concentrations of fecal microorganisms in periphyton and partly in sediment were found to be significantly higher in the middle of the river course, near the town of Žrnovnica, while according to the analysis of surface water the highest degree of pollution was reached on its estuary. The results were explained with respect to bacterial-algal associations. Considering the fact that most of the river microorganisms are associated with periphyton and sediment particles and only a small number of them is in the free-living form, microbiological analysis of both periphyton and sediment together with water samples has been suggested when fecal pollution of a river is concerned.