Relationship between water quality parameters and the survival of indicator microorganisms – Escherichia coli – in a stormwater wetland

Abstract

Indicator microorganisms - Escherichia coli - in a stormwater wetland controlling non-point source pollution in the Keum River basin was studied and the relationship between water quality parameters and the survival of E. coli was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis based on 16 sets of data collected on dry days. A significant seasonal variation of the density of E. coli was observed in the influent and effluent. A dominant decay of E. coli was found in almost all the wetland components. In the settling pond, the density was observed to vary negatively with pH and the removal of total suspended solids, and the decay was promoted by solar radiation. In the aeration pond, the survival of E. coli was encouraged negatively by the dilution effect, unfavorable increase of dissolved oxygen (DO) and sedimentation with coarse particles. In the marsh wetland, the reduction of E. coli was positively influenced by UV radiation, obvious increase of pH, DO and sedimentation with algae and particles. In the polishing pond, the introduction of E. coli with avian feces and growth of the bacteria were more prevalent than decay. Although this introduction or growth was almost negligible, further study will be conducted in the future.