Monitoring and spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria and fecal coliforms in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ae distribution of heterothrophic bacteria and fecal coliforms was monitore d at four sampling stations located near the shore of the Rodrigo de Freita s Lagoon, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Water samples were collect ed, monthly from October 1994 through. September 1998. The highest heteroth rophic count (6.5x10(7) CFU/100mL) was recorded at stations 2 and 4 during August 1998 and the lowest (10(3) CFU/100 mL) at station 3 during February 1995. With respect to fecal coliforms, the highest and lowest counts were 1 .6x10(5) coliforms/100mL at station 3 during March 1997 and <1 coliform/100 mL at all the stations during February 1995 and September 1997 as well as s tation 3 during February 1998. The data indicated a percentage increase of the microorganisms surveyed over time at all the sampling stations studied.