Summary
Sewage which is disposed of in natural waters is continuously subjected to dilution. This natural phenomenon changes the concentrations of significant environmental parameters causing either the growth or the decay of enteric bacteria in sewage. The connection between the survival of faecal coliform bacteria and sewage dilution is obvious. However, this dependence has not been proved by any related experiments. The experimental results of this study show that the dilution of sewage in a 0.9 percent NaCl solution may cause either the destruction, conservation or even an increase in the number of faecal coliforms depending on the time that the dilution takes place and on the rate of dilution.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barcina, I., Arana, I., Iriberri, J. and Egea, L. (1986) Influence of light and natural microbiota of the Butron River onE-coli survival.Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 52, 555–66.
Bowieet al. (1985)Rates, constants, and kinetic formulations in surface water quality modelling. EPA Report, EPA/600/3-85/040, GA, Athens.
Gurijala, K.R. and Alexander, M. (1990) Explanation for the decline of bacteria introduced into lake water.Microbial Ecology 20, 231–44.
Hadjianghelou, H. (1972) Beitrag zu der Untersuchung des Verfalls derEscherichia coli im Meerwasser während der ersten 24 Stunden.Gesundheits-Ingenieur 93, 330–2.
Hadjianghelou, A., Tassoula, E. and Hadjianghelou, H. (1988) Wachstums und Absterbekinetic derEscherichia coli in Abwasser.Journal gwf Wasser-Abwasser 129, 632–8.
Heukelekian, H. (1933) Effect of dilution of sewage of non-marine microorganisms in seawater.Sewage Works Journal,5 (5), 774–87.
Mitchell, R. and Chamberlin, C. (1978). Factors affecting the survival of indicator organisms in the aquatic environment In: Berg, G. (ed.)Indicators of Enteric Contamination in Natural Waters. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Ann Arbor Press.
Rhodes, M.W. and Kator, H.I. (1988) Survival ofEscherichia coli andSalmonella spp. in estuarine environments.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 54, 2902–7.
Thomann, R.V. and Mueller, J.A. (1987)Principles of Surface Water Quality Modelling and Control. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Zanoni, A.E. and Fleissner, J.T. (1982) Indicator bacteria survival under laboratory conditions.Journal Water Pollution Control Federation 54(5), 500–3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dr Angelos Hadjianghelou possesses a Diploma in Biochemistry and is a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hadjianghelou, A. The effect of dilution on the survival of faecal coliforms in natural waters. Environmentalist 16, 313–318 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239658
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239658