Faecal-indicator bacteria and sedimentary processes in estuarine mudflats (Seine, France).
Over a three-year period, quantification of faecal indicators and the molecular detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella were monitored in sediments from three contrasting mudflats of the Seine estuary (France). The elevation of the mudflat surface was monitored concurrently using a high-resolution altimeter. During the period of the study, estuarine mudflats were areas of deposition for faecal-indicator bacteria and were mainly controlled by sedimentary processes. In the intertidal freshwater and subtidal mudflats, the highest abundances of faecal-indicator bacteria were counted during a depositional period. Maximum levels were observed in the freshwater mudflats during periods of high flow: thermotolerant coliforms: 3.9 x 10(4) cfu cm(-2), enterococci: 1.2 x 10(4) cfu cm(-2), Clostridium perfringens spores: 9.8 x 10(5) spores cm(-2). Loss of culturability of enteric bacteria in sediment microcosms demonstrated the remediatory capacity of the mudflats, even if they might be a secondary source of bacteria-forming spores to the water column through erosion and resuspension events.
Berthe
Thierry
T
Laboratoire de Microbiologie du Froid, UPRES 2123, Groupe Biodiversité et Environnement, UFR des Sciences, Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France.
Touron
Aurélie
A
Leloup
Julie
J
Deloffre
Julien
J
Petit
Fabienne
F
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005602:France; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014872:Water Movements