Microbiological pollution of Ria Formosa (South of Portugal)

A 24-month survey on the microbiological quality of recreational shore mari ne waters in three sampling stations located at Ria Formosa (South of Portu gal) was conducted. The classical indicators of faecal pollution, such as t otal coliforms (TC), faecal (thermotolerant) coliforms (FC), faecal strepto cocci (FS) and somatic coliphages, as well as several physico-chemical para meters (temperature. salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and transparency) were determined in the sampling stations, which exhibited different degrees of faecal pollution. The relationships between faecal indicators and several p athogenic microorganisms (Salmonella, Pseudomonus aeruginosa and Candida al bicans) were also established in these recreational marine zones. The resul ts obtained indicate that none of the indicators tested may be considered a s a universal index of the presence of pathogens in water: however, faecal streptococci showed a higher and significant relationship with sewage disch arges, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.