Total Coliform Levels Research Articles

The determination of E. coli levels and pathotypes in water sources around Isparta province Turkey.

In this study, a total of 57 water samples were collected over different months around the Isparta region. The levels of total and fecal coliform in these water samples were determined. According to an analysis of the results, although the pollution level of these water sources are not high in terms of their total coliform counts, they cannot be used as drinking water. In the water samples taken from Andık Creek, DarıCreek Dam, and Eğirdir Lake, fecal counts were found to be similar to each other, it is possible to use these waters after refinement. However fecal coliform levels are high in water samples taken from Bezirgan Creek, and these waters cannot be used as drinking water. After the total and fecal coliform counts were determined, the most probable colonies that can be identified to be E. coli were chosen and confirmation tests were performed. In total, 397 colonies were isolated from water samples, and 55 of those were confirmed as E. coli strains. Also, 151 strains were determined to be part of the coliform group. E. coli strains were studied with a real-time PCR to determine some virulence genes. Analysis of the results showed that 29.2% of E. coli strains contained enteropathogenic/enterohemorrhagic E. coli virulence genes, and 14.5% of the isolated E. coli strains contained verotoxigenic E. coli virulence factors. Enteroinvasive E. coli virulence genes were contained in 1.8% of the E. coli strains, and it was found that 54.5% of the isolated E. coli strains contained none of the gene regions investigated.

Assessment of Bacterial Accumulation and Environmental Factors in Sentinel Oysters and Estuarine Water Quality from the Phang Nga Estuary Area in Thailand.

This study characterized microbiological and chemical contamination of oyster meat and estuarine water in Phang Nga, Thailand. Pooled oyster meats (n = 144), estuarine waters (n = 96) and environmental parameters were collected from March, 2016 to February, 2017, and assessed for levels of total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), Escherichia coli (EC), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP), presence of Salmonella and Shigella and levels of heavy metals (Mn, Pb and Cd). The prevalence of TC, FC and EC were in 99.3%, 94.4% and 93.1% of oyster meat and 94.8%, 79.2%, and 78.1% of water, respectively. The average VP levels was 8.5 × 107 most probable number (MPN)/g oyster. Prevalence of Shigella and Salmonella in the pooled oysters were 7.6% and 30.6%, respectively. The dominant Salmonella serovars were Paratyphi B followed by Seremban, and Kentucky. In contrast, the prevalence of Shigella were 27.1%, but Salmonella was not detected in estuarine water. Factors statistically associated with EC accumulation in oyster were level of FC, 7-day average precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, and presence of Salmonella in the sample. The optimal cutoff value of EC to predict Salmonella in oyster was 420 MPN/g. Results indicate this area has relatively safe levels of heavy metals, whereas bacterial contamination was very high for oysters.

Postharvest Supply Chain with Microbial Travelers: a Farm-to-Retail Microbial Simulation and Visualization Framework.

Fresh produce supply chains present variable and diverse conditions that are relevant to food quality and safety because they may favor microbial growth and survival following contamination. This study presents the development of a simulation and visualization framework to model microbial dynamics on fresh produce moving through postharvest supply chain processes. The postharvest supply chain with microbial travelers (PSCMT) tool provides a modular process modeling approach and graphical user interface to visualize microbial populations and evaluate practices specific to any fresh produce supply chain. The resulting modeling tool was validated with empirical data from an observed tomato supply chain from Mexico to the United States, including the packinghouse, distribution center, and supermarket locations, as an illustrative case study. Due to data limitations, a model-fitting exercise was conducted to demonstrate the calibration of model parameter ranges for microbial indicator populations, i.e., mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (quantified by aerobic plate count and here termed APC) and total coliforms (TC). Exploration and analysis of the parameter space refined appropriate parameter ranges and revealed influential parameters for supermarket indicator microorganism levels on tomatoes. Partial rank correlation coefficient analysis determined that APC levels in supermarkets were most influenced by removal due to spray water washing and microbial growth on the tomato surface at postharvest locations, while TC levels were most influenced by growth on the tomato surface at postharvest locations. Overall, this detailed mechanistic dynamic model of microbial behavior is a unique modeling tool that complements empirical data and visualizes how postharvest supply chain practices influence the fate of microbial contamination on fresh produce.IMPORTANCE Preventing the contamination of fresh produce with foodborne pathogens present in the environment during production and postharvest handling is an important food safety goal. Since studying foodborne pathogens in the environment is a complex and costly endeavor, computer simulation models can help to understand and visualize microorganism behavior resulting from supply chain activities. The postharvest supply chain with microbial travelers (PSCMT) model, presented here, provides a unique tool for postharvest supply chain simulations to evaluate microbial contamination. The tool was validated through modeling an observed tomato supply chain. Visualization of dynamic contamination levels from harvest to the supermarket and analysis of the model parameters highlighted critical points where intervention may prevent microbial levels sufficient to cause foodborne illness. The PSCMT model framework and simulation results support ongoing postharvest research and interventions to improve understanding and control of fresh produce contamination.

Microbial evaluation of automated sorting systems in stone fruit packinghouses during peach packing

Automated fruit sorting systems with individual fruit carriers are utilized in modern fruit packing facilities. This study evaluated the levels of naturally occurring microflora on the surfaces of peaches and fruit carriers during automated sorting operations at stone fruit packinghouses in California. The study also assessed the growth potential of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes on fruit carriers under various environmental conditions. No difference of microbial loads was found on peaches (n = 420) before, during, and after fruit sorting at seven packinghouses. The average surface total microbial, coliform, and yeast and mold levels of peaches during sorting were 3.6, 2.7, and 1.9 log CFU/cm2, respectively. Environmental swab testing indicated routine cleaning of fruit carriers (n = 192) reduced total microbes from 3.9 to 3.2 log CFU/cm2 (P = 0.003) and coliforms from 1.5 to 0.9 log CFU/cm2 (P = 0.001) on carriers' fruit contact surfaces. Laboratory exposures to temperature (22, 28, 34 or 40 °C) and humidity (65, 75, 85 or 95%) conditions significantly reduced inoculated Salmonella and Listeria on clean and commercially used (deposited with wax, fuzz, dirt, etc.) fruit carriers within 24 h (P < 0.001). The observed Salmonella reduction was greater on clean carriers (P < 0.001). On used carriers, Salmonella was persistent at 95% humidity and Listeria was persistent at 22 °C. The results showed the levels of surface microflora on peaches during fruit sorting, the reduction of microbial loads on fruit carriers due to packinghouses' cleaning, and the reduction, rather than growth, of Salmonella and Listeria under tested conditions on fruit carriers.

Kiraz ve Kayısı Ağacı Reçinelerinden Elde Edilen Yenilebilir Filmlerin Çilek (Fragaria ananassa) ve Yenidünya (Eriobotrya japonica) Meyvelerinin Kaplanmasında Kullanımları

Bu çalışmada kiraz ve kayısı ağaçlarından sızan reçineler yenilebilir kaplama materyali olarak kullanıldı. Reçinelerin yenilebilir kaplama olarak uygun olup olmadıkları bazı kimyasal özellikleriyle incelendi. Karbon, hidrojen, azot ve kükürt yüzdeleri elementel analiz ile belirlendi. Yapılan analizler sonucunda her iki reçinenin de fenolik madde bakımından zengin olduğu bulundu ve antioksidan kapasitelerinin yüksek olduğu tespit edildi. Termal analizlerle reçinelerden elde edilen filmlerin ısıya karşı davranışları ve ağırlık kayıpları belirlendi. Bu analizlere göre, filmlerin 400°C‘ye kadar ısıya dayanıklı oldukları bulundu. Filmlerin SEM ile elde edilen yüzey görüntülerinin homojen ve düzgün bir yapıda oldukları görüldü. Daha sonra, reçinelerden elde edilen film çözeltileriyle çilek ve yenidünya meyveleri kaplandı. 4±1°C‘de buzdolabında muhafaza edilen kaplamalı/kaplamasız meyveler; raf ömrü, organoleptik ve mikrobiyolojik özellikler bakımından karşılaştırıldı. Filmlerin kaplanmış meyvelerin raf ömrünü uzattığı görüldü. Depolama sonunda kaplamasız örneklerin toplam bakteri, maya-küf ve koliform bakteri düzeyleri en yüksek seviyedeydi. Ayrıca, kaplamalar meyvelerin organoleptik özelliklerini olumlu etkiledi. Duyusal analiz testine göre kaplamalı meyveler, kaplamasız meyvelerden daha yüksek puanlara sahip oldular. Kiraz ve kayısı ağacı reçineleri yenilebilir kaplama olarak kullanıma uygun materyallerdir.

Restoring water quality in the polluted Turag-Tongi-Balu river system, Dhaka: Modelling nutrient and total coliform intervention strategies

River water quality in rapidly urbanising Asian cities threatens to damage the resource base on which human health, economic growth and poverty reduction all depend. Dhaka reflects the challenges and opportunities for balancing these dynamic and complex trade-offs which goals can be achieved through effective policy interventions. There is a serious problem of water pollution in central Dhaka, in the Turag-Tongi-Balu River system in Bangladesh with the river system being one of the most polluted in the world at the moment. A baseline survey of water chemistry and total coliforms has been undertaken and shows dissolved oxygen close to zero in the dry season, high organic loading together with extreme levels of Ammonium-N and total coliform in the water. Models have been applied to assess hydrochemical processes in the river and evaluate alternative strategies for policy and the management of the pollution issues. In particular models of flow, Nitrate-N, Ammonium-N and indicator bacteria (total coliforms) are applied to simulate water quality in the river system. Various scenarios are explored to clean up the river system, including flow augmentation and improved effluent treatment. The model results indicate that improved effluent treatment is likely to have a more significant impact on reducing Ammonium-N and total coliforms than flow augmentation, but a combined strategy would greatly reduce the pollution problems in the Turag-Tongi-Balu River System.

Sanitary quality of the rivers in the Communities of Manguinhos´ Territory, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Sanitation actions are rare in the communities of Manguinhos, so evaluation of the sanitary conditions of the river waters and the peridomestic soils of the communities allows the diagnosis of the risk of contamination. This study evaluated coliform levels (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) by the filter membrane method, and parasitological (by adapted Lutz and Baermann-Moraes methods) in the waters and soils of the Faria-Timbó, Jacaré and Canal do Cunha Rivers that pass through the communities of the Territory of Manguinhos, RJ, according to the standards established in Brazilian legislation. In all points of the rivers, the water was unfit, with an average level of Escherichia coli 3,800 times higher than that standardized in CONAMA Resolution No. 274/2000. Larvae, helminths eggs and protozoan oocysts were observed. Soil samples were also unfit, with mean total coliform level 77,000 times higher than that considered acceptable by SMAC Resolution 468/2010. The Escherichia coli average level was 53,000 times higher than that permitted by the legislation. However, helminths eggs were found in only one soil sample. It was concluded that the lack of sanitation in this locality results in the high coliform and parasitological levels of the river waters and in the peridomestic soils, and that immediate modifications are needed to the Brazilian environmental paradigm, which uses its water bodies as sewage disposal ditches.

Assessment of the Potability of Underground Water from a Small Scale Underground Mine: A Case Study

This study sought to investigate the potability of underground water from the Mohammed and Brothers Small Scale Underground Mine in Tarkwa by analysing two samples of the underground water to determine the water’s physico-chemical parameters and the metals concentrations and coliforms in it. The physico-chemical parameters were analysed using Oyster series multi-meter (341350A) and Hydro test HT 1000 photometer. The result showed that the parameters were within the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits except for salinity and apparent colour. Analyses for metals and arsenic were conducted using the Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Varian ASS 240 FS). All the metals analysed were within the standards set by WHO and USEPA but the level of arsenic was above limit. The level of total coliforms and faecal coliforms were determined at the Intertek Service Limited, Tarkwa. The result showed that the levels were within the standards set by WHO and USEPA. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using the analysed water parameters. High levels of arsenic and salinity in the water renders it unsafe for drinking. Treatment of the water to reduce the arsenic and salinity levels to the standards set by WHO and USEPA will make it suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes. Keywords : Underground Water, Small Scale Underground Mining, Water Quality, Heavy Metals, Gold

Physicochemical and bacteriological characterization of raw sewage from the Meknes region Morocco

The region of Meknes suffers from a significant delay in the water sector, including sewage treatment. The Urban waste water in the region originates from various activities; households, industry, agriculture and hospital. These waters are released in to nature without any treatment, which constitutes a serious risk for the environment. The objective of this research is to characterize the physicochemical and bacteriological pollution of the three sewage collectors of the Meknes region (Aïn Choubbik, Oued Ouislane and Aïn Taoujdate). Indeed, the pollution parameters; biological and chemical oxygen demand are abnormally high, which indicates clearly that waste waters is rich of reducing or oxidizing organic materials. Ammonium, nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metals concentrations exceed the limit values. So these waters are classified as bad or very bad quality. On the one hand, the presence of a large bacterial load indicates fecal contamination. The total coliform, fecal coliform and fecal streptococci levels are high exceeding exceed the values specified the WHO guidelines and the Moroccan standards. This situation is likely to cause serious and irreparable damage to the environment groundwater. To counter this, make the necessary investment in sewage treatment and other remedial measures is key to preventing pollution and its spread.

Effect of microbial control measures on farmstead cheesemaking and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. isolates

AbstractThe effect of microbial control measures in farmstead cheese making was evaluated in a small dairy farm in Gyeong‐gi province, Korea. Teat washing and pasteurization significantly (p &lt; .05) reduced the level of indicator bacteria (mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli). However, farmstead cheeses were contaminated with increased levels of mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecium during post‐pasteurization steps, including the cheesemaking process and ripening. S. aureus isolates from cheese samples exhibited antibiotic resistance to penicillin/ampicillin, whereas teat and milk samples showed resistance to erythromycin/ciprofloxacin. Enterococcus spp. isolates had the highest proportion of organisms resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline among multidrug‐resistant strains. To ensure the safety of farmstead cheese, customized management systems and intervention methods should be established by focusing on control measures for not only preprocessing and pasteurization but also post‐pasteurization steps.Practical applicationsOwing to renewed interest in specialty cheeses, small‐scale farmstead cheeses are actively produced worldwide. However, because of various manufacturing steps, including milking, pasteurization, ripening, and storage, farmstead cheese could pose a high risk for the presence of foodborne pathogens. In the current study, teat washing and milk pasteurization effectively reduced microbial contamination loads. However, farmstead cheeses were contaminated post‐pasteurization with increased levels of indicator and pathogenic microorganisms. Comprehensive management systems should be implemented and should focus not only on preprocessing and pasteurization but also on post‐pasteurization steps to ensure the safety of farmstead cheese.

Stilbenes: A potential preservative for sausage products

Peanut kernels contain potent bioactive components such as stilbenes. In this study, stilbenes were extracted from sliced peanut kernels using 60% ethanol, and their antioxidant and antibacterial properties were evaluated. For a practical application, the storage quality of sausage products was evaluated at ambient (25 °C) and low (4 °C) temperatures. Our results revealed that peanut stilbenes exhibit dose-dependent (25–250 μg/ml) 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity; however, at a concentration of 200 μg/ml, the radical scavenging activity was 79.77%, with a reducing power of 0.59, as measured at 700 nm absorbance. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity was 0.60 μmol Trolox/mg. The minimum inhibitory concentration of stilbenes against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium were 62.5, 31.25, 62.5, and 125 μg/ml, respectively. Preservation of sausage products using stilbenes inhibited microorganism growth and lipid oxidation. Practical applications Results of the assessment of the storage quality of sausage products revealed that the total plate count, coliform level, and volatile basic nitrogen level increased after storage compared with the controls. However, the thiobarbituric acid value of stilbene extracted from peanut indicated a significant decrease in lipid oxidation. Thus, stilbenes are a potential preservative for sausage products because they are a good source of antioxidants.

Within-House Spatial Distribution of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Poultry Litter.

Land application of poultry litter is often considered to be a major source of water pollutants in poultry-producing regions. However, reported levels of fecal indicator microorganisms in litter vary widely, with considerable variation possible within houses and across farms, depending on management practices. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the levels and distribution of indicator microorganisms within 12 broiler farms representing three companies. Within each house, litter samples were collected from around the feed line, water line, north wall, cool pad end, middle, and fan end. Litter moisture content was significantly different within the houses, with the litter being driest around the feed line (19.8%) and wettest around the water line (40.7%). Mean levels of total coliforms, , enterococci, and were 3.7, 3.3, 6.4, and 4.0 log colony-forming units g dry litter, respectively. Levels of total coliforms, , and were positively correlated with litter moisture content, but enterococci levels were not. Consequently, levels of total coliforms, , and , as well as enterococci, were highest around the water line and lowest around the feed line. These results indicate that areas with higher litter water content are more likely to contain higher levels of most fecal indicator microorganisms. Approaches to reduce litter water content in these areas would not only benefit the microbial quality of litter for land application but would also likely improve in-house disease control.

A study on prevalence of microbial contamination on the surface of raw salad vegetables

The present work evaluates the microbiological quality of raw salad vegetables (RSV) consumed in Dhanbad city, India. A total of 480 samples of 8 different raw salad vegetables from local market were examined for overall microbial quality in terms of aerobic mesophilic, psychrotrophic counts, yeast, mould and total coliform levels. E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella sp. were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) subsequent to isolation. Results showed that all the samples were found positive for total coliform; however, E. coli was detected in 16.7% of the total samples. Pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were detected in 1.3, 3.5 and 4.0%, respectively, of the total samples. However, pathogens were not detected in any of the cabbage samples. The Exiguobacterium sp. (Strain ISM SP 2014) was detected in the spinach sample while studying the bacterial contamination, reported for the first time on the surface of RSV. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed less than 92% similarity with sequences available in the public domain.

Non-thermal pasteurization of apples in syrup with dense phase carbon dioxide

The study investigated dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) applicability to a solid-liquid product consisted of apples in syrup as an alternative to the conventional thermal pasteurization. The effect of pressure (8, 10, and 12 MPa) and temperature (35, 45, and 55 °C) at 15 min was investigated to determine the inactivation of the natural microbiota (mesophilic microorganisms, total coliforms, yeasts and molds) and polyphenol oxidase enzyme. The optimal process conditions (12 MPa, 55 °C, 15 min) were determined. A storage study at 25 °C for 60 days was also performed to monitor the microbial, enzymatic and quality (pH, color, ascorbic acid content and total acidity) stability of the product.DPCD induced inactivation to undetectable levels of mesophilic microorganisms, total coliforms, yeasts and molds. At the same conditions, polyphenol oxidase was totally inactivated while pH, color, and total acidity were slightly affected. The shelf life study of DPCD treated products revealed their microbial, enzymatic and quality stability.

Microbiological Sandy Beach Quality in Western Algeria

Microbiological Sandy Beach Quality in Western Algeria Whilst the potential impact on beach users from microorganisms in water has received considerable attention, there has been relatively little investigation into microbial contaminants in sand. From a recreational point of view, sandy beaches are the busiest because they represent a space of relaxation and leisure. Following the large attendance, a possible microbiological contamination of the sand could be a source of pathogenic transmission. Four beaches across western Algeria (Oran) were analyzed during a two-year period (2013–2015) to determine the presence of yeasts, fungi, total coliforms, fecal coliformes, E. coli, Staphylocoques and Pseudomonas in sand. A total of 233 fungi isolates was discerned in the four study areas and an enumeration of 13 genera of nondermatophytic filamentous fungi and five yeast- species belonging to four genera were identified. The fungal species identified in order of importance are: Penicillium spp. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Rhodoturula, Alternaria spp. Mucor, Candida zeylanoides, Phialophora spp., Cryptococcus albidus, Rhizopus spp., Scopulariopsis spp., Chrysosporium spp., Geotrichum spp., Acremonium spp., Rhizomucor spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans. The high level of total coliforms was 18500 cfu/100 ml, fecal coliformes 5400 cfu/100 ml, E. coli 3100 cfu/100 ml, Staphylococci 5400 cfu/100 ml and Pseudomonas 1100 cfu/100 ml. Among this biodiversity, some species are highly pathogenic to humans, and represent a real danger to public health.

&lt;b&gt;Microbiological monitoring in two areas with different levels of conservation in the mangroves of an Ecological Station, Vitoria, ES

Mangroves are classified as permanent preservation areas and regarded as natural nurseries. However, they have suffered several anthropogenic stresses, resulting in their decline. In the light of that, comes the importance of researching their environmental characteristics and revealing possible factors that have led to the degradation of this important ecosystem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental quality of different areas in the mangroves of Ilha do Lameirão Ecological Station through microbiological analyzes of sediment and interstitial water along ten (10) sites, distributed in two areas with different conservation levels (Canal dos Escravos (CE) and Maria Ortiz (MO)) between 2010 and 2012. The microbiological analyzes revealed that MO region, in all seasons of the year, achieved total coliform and thermo-tolerant coliform values above those permitted by the CONAMA Resolution 357/05, fitting the Class 2 conservation standard. The presence of high levels of total and thermo-tolerant coliforms in MO is a strong indicator of impacts originated from the human population and, consequently, the decline of the mangrove itself and the health of human communities surrounding that area.

복합항균제제를 첨가한 생면의 미생물학적 및 이화학적 품질 특성

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of natural preservatives (G3, G3-1, F3, and F3-1) using Cordyceps militaris on improvement of food quality and safety of noodle during storage. Wheat flour noodle were prepared using three different concentrations of natural preservatives (0.100, 0.200, and 0.400%). Changes in microbial populations, pH value, titratable acidity, and sensory evaluation were measured during storage at 12±2℃ for 3 days. Overall, use of natural preservatives resulted in lower levels of total mesophilic bacteria, coliform, yeast and mold in noodle compared to the control. In particular, natural preservatives using 2× MIC concentrations (0.400%) of F3 and F3-1 were effective at maintaining levels of total mesophilic bacteria for noodle during storage. The pH values of noodle made with F3 and F3-1 were higher than the others. The titratable acidity of noodle with natural preservatives did not significantly change during storage. In sensory evaluation, appearance, color, and overall acceptability of noodle with F3 and F3-1 were preferred than the control. These results could provide useful information for developing an alternative preservation method to improve food quality and shelf-life of noodle using natural preservatives.

Evaluating heavy metal accumulation and potential health risks in vegetables irrigated with treated wastewater

Effect of irrigation with treated municipal wastewater on the accumulation of heavy metals in soils and food crops and potential health risks to human via consumption of these food crops are evaluated. The higher concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) were found in lettuce, radish and carrots, respectively. However, trace metal levels in all vegetables were far lower than the food safety criteria of World Health Organization and European Union. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for heavy metals in different vegetables showed a trend in the order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr. The trends of estimated dietary intake (EDIs) for adults were in the order of Fe > Zn > Cr > Cu. The highest level of total coliform was recorded in spinach, followed by radish, egg plant, tomatoes and lettuce. The low uptake of heavy metals by vegetables shows that the health risks for human are insignificant. As the variations in transfer factor of metals is related to absorption capability of vegetables, soil properties and nutrient management, the risk of human exposure to metal contamination can be significantly reduced by selecting appropriate crops.

Performance evaluation of biofil toilet waste digester technologies in Ghana: the efficacy of effluent treatment options

ABSTRACTThe study was carried out to assess the efficacy of a standard Biofil toilet digester with regard to its effluent quality and to evaluate the performance of new effluent polishing options being developed by BiofilCom. Influent and effluent were collected from 18 standard Biofil digesters connected to full-flush toilets. Effluent from five pilot installations with improved effluent polishing options were also taken for analyses. Ten other Biofil installations were selected to assess the impact of digester effluent discharge on the surrounding soil. Pollutant concentrations in the Biofil effluent exceeded both Ghana EPA and WHO standards for discharge though pollutant removal efficiencies were high: 84% for biochemical oxygen demand, 86.1% for chemical oxygen demand and 82.4% for total suspended solids. Escherichia coli and total coliform levels were significantly reduced by 63% and 95.6%, respectively, and nutrients were the least removed from effluents. Generally, effluents from the majority of the pilot polishing options met most of the discharge standards. E. coli were present in the soil at all study sites, except one. Biofil digester effluent is discharged subsurface but comparing their effluent quality with standards for discharge into water courses is relevant especially in areas of frequent flooding and high water tables.

Effects of Sewage on Natural Environments of the Amazon Region (Pará-Brazil)

ABSTRACT Sousa, N.S.S.; Monteiro. M.C.; Gorayeb, A.; Costa, R.M., and Pereira, L.C.C., 2016. Effects of sewage on natural environments of the Amazon region (Para-Brazil). In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 158–162. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The negative effects of sewage discharge were analyzed in two Amazonian environments (the Caete Estuary and the Cereja River) subject to different levels of anthropogenic impact. For this, samples of surface water were collected for the analysis of physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters during dry and wet season. In the Caete Estuary, the results indicated high levels of total nitrogen and fecal coliforms in the upper sector. Eutrophic conditions were recorded in the wet and dry season. Natural and anthropogenic sources may contribute to the input of dissolved nutrients, ...