title: Microbiological composition of native and exotic clams from Tagus estuary: effect of season and environmental parameters.
abstract: The influence of seasonal and environmental parameters on the occurrence of bacteria was investigated in two clam species (Venerupis pullastra and Ruditapes philippinarum), water and sediment from the Tagus estuary. Total viable counts (TVC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. were evaluated during one-year. Overall, significant seasonal variations were found in both sampling sites, especially for E. coli and Vibrio spp. levels. In summer, significantly higher Vibrio spp. levels were found in R. philippinarum and sediment samples, but not in V. pullastra clams and water samples. In contrast, significantly higher TVC and E. coli levels were observed in winter months in water and sediment samples. Salmonella spp. was generally isolated when higher levels of E. coli were detected, particularly in R. philippinarum. This study is useful for authorities to develop monitoring strategies for coastal contamination and to estimate human health risks associated with the consumption of bivalves.
authors.affiliation: Division of Aquaculture and Upgrading (DivAV), Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA, I.P.), Av. Brasília, 1449-006 Lisbon, Portugal; Guia Marine Laboratory, Center of Oceanography, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (FCUL), Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: panacleto@ipma.pt.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anacleto
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pedro
authors.forename: Maria Leonor
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marques
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D012621:Seasons; D014871:Water Microbiology
keywords: Escherichia coli; Ruditapes philippinarum; Salmonella spp.; Total viable counts; Venerupis pullastra; Vibrio spp.