Pertinence of indicator organisms and sampling variables to Vibrio concentrations.

Abstract

Vibrio-indicator relationships and effects ofday, depth, and tidal levels on the density ofvibrios enumerated by the most probable number technique were investigated. Counts ofvibrios taken monthly from Apalachicola Bay, Fla., were either negatively correlated or showed no correlation with counts of indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, enterococci, fecal coliforms, and total coliforms). Water samples collected on two days from the surface and bottom over a complete tidal cycle on each day were analyzed for differences in vibrio concentrations. Concentrations ofvibrios in samples taken on different days, in those taken at different depths, and in those taken at different tidal levels were significantly different, indicating that these factors need to be taken into account in health-related studies.