DISTRIBUTION OF CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS AND FECAL STEROLS IN A BENTHIC COASTAL MARINE-ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCED BY THE SEWAGE OUTFALL FROM MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA

The spatial distribution, movement, and impact of the untreated wastew ater outfall from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, were investigated under early austral summer conditions, The benthic environment was examined to determine the distribution of Clostridium perfringens in sediment cores and the intestinal contents of native invertebrates and fish alo ng a transect of stations. These stations extended ca, 411 m south of the outfall, The findings revealed that the concentration of C, perfri ngens decreased with depth in the sediment and distance from the outfa ll, High percentages of tunicates and sea urchins were colonized with this bacterium along the transect. Coprostanol concentrations were als o measured in sediment samples taken from each of the transect station s, and a similar trend was observed. These results are in agreement,vi th the findings of previous studies performed with the water column an d collectively provide evidence that the disposal of domestic wastes d eserves special consideration in polar marine environments.