Role of bacteria and protozoa in the removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine waters.

摘要

The removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine water was investigated. The survival of E. coli was dependent on the presence of protozoan predators and not on the presence of lytic bacteria. When indigenous protozoa were removed from estuarine water by filtration, the destruction of coliform populations was negligible. In studies designed to prevent the growth of indigenous bacterial populations without affecting protozoan populations, coliform destruction was significant.