Abstract
ABSTRACT Scientists and environmentalists are searching for biological remedies to reduce E. coli concentrations in waterbodies to acceptable levels. The present research was conducted to investigate clearance of E. coli isolated from freshwater mussels (Lamellidens marginalis) in the Old Brahmaputra River, Mymensingh, Bangladesh by conspecific mussels from the same river in aquarium conditions. Mussels were acclimated, depurated and divided into three shell length (SL) groups. Small (38.28 ± 2.81 mm), medium (47.28 ± 1.52 mm) and large (55.89 ± 2.25 mm) mussels were assigned to aquaria designated as T2, T3 and T4 respectively whereas empty mussel shells were assigned to T1 as control in triplicate. After addition of pure E. coli suspensions, 3 mL water samples from each aquarium were collected at hourly intervals for 12 h for total E. coli count (TEC). Statistical analysis revealed that both time and treatments have significant effects (P < 0.05) on TEC. Presence of live mussels caused 1.41–1.63 log10 reduction of TEC after 12 h compared to the control. However, such differences were not consistent among the different SL groups. In conclusion, L. marginalis is capable of reducing E. coli concentrations although the efficacy is not consistently related with mussels’ shell lengths.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
