1. Bacteriological Assessment of Fecal Contamination in the Sediments of the Gulf of Annaba (Southern Mediterranean): A Preliminary Investigation.
- Author
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Boufafa, Mouna, Guellati, Fatma Zohra, Touati, Hassen, Kadri, Skander, and Bensouilah, Mourad
- Subjects
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FECAL contamination , *ENVIRONMENTAL research , *WATER quality , *PATHOGENIC bacteria , *SUSPENDED solids , *BP Deepwater Horizon Explosion & Oil Spill, 2010 , *ARTIFICIAL seawater - Abstract
This study investigated the bacteriological and physicochemical quality of seawater and sediment samples collected from four sampling sites in the Gulf of Annaba (Northeastern Algeria) over a one-year period. Culture-based techniques were used to quantify and assess Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) and potentially pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, various physicochemical parameters including temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and suspended solids were measured. The results revealed seasonal variations in the physicochemical variables, reflecting the influence of environmental conditions in the research area. The highest concentrations of FIB were observed in samples obtained from Sidi Salem and Rezgui Rachid, indicating a possible association with sewage contamination. Furthermore, the sediments collected from all sites exhibited higher levels of FIB and potentially pathogenic bacteria compared to the seawater samples, particularly during the summer and fall seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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