Bacterial pollution of the riverine surface microlayer and subsurface water.

The density and distribution of bacteria indicative of pollution in the surface microlayer and subsurface water of the River Slupia were estimated. The number of heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci were higher in the surface microlayer than in the underlying water. The average bacterial enrichment factor (EF) of the parameters studied in the bacterioneuston was 1.7 to 1.8 times higher than in bacterioplankton. During the annual study cycle, bacterial pollution indicators inhabiting the surface microlayer and subsurface water showed considerable monthly changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]