Indicator bacteria concentrations as affected by hydrologic variables in the Apalachicola river, Florida

Abstract

Concentrations of fecal coliform and fecal Streptococcus bacteria were monitored in the Apalachicola River, Florida, at various river stages. Bacteria transported by the river may eventually be assimilated by estuarine filter feeders, including shellfish. Sources along the river contributed to relatively high coliform and coliform: Streptococcus ratios at a few sites upstream, but there was a general decreasing trend in coliform numbers in a downstream direction. The data suggested that coliform densities depend not only on discharge, but also on factors such as whether the river stage is rising or falling, whether the flood is in an early or late phase, and the volume of the current peak relative to earlier peaks. A regression model indicated that 53 % of fecal coliform variability could be accounted for by river discharge and 32% could be accounted for by other hydrologic characteristics of the flood.