Monitoring of microbial water quality and saprophytic bacterial genera of the Abu Dhabi coastal area, U.A.E.

Abstract

Fourteen sampling sites distributed along the Abu Dhabi coast were surveyed monthly from October 1989 until September 1990 (except for the months February and April 1990), and a microbiological assessment was made. The saprophytic bacteria, salt tolerant saprophytic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, total and faecal coliforms were determined. In general, the numbers of all determined bacterial groups were found to be correlated with each other and in most cases they fluctuated together. Furthermore, the bacterial flora of the coastal water is markedly affected by water temperature, sampling sites and sampling time. The bacterial content of most sites fluctuated maximally during August and September (late summer). The natural self-purification process of coastal water samples was clearly observed. The predominant saprophytic bacterial genera and the common coliform species which occurred in the study area were identified.