1. Diverse sources of fecal contamination in macroalgae wrack-affected environment adjacent to river outflow along the Baltic Sea coast.
- Author
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Kalvaitienė G, Picazo Espinosa R, Vaičiūtė D, and Kataržytė M
- Subjects
- Water Pollution statistics & numerical data, Humans, Bacteria isolation & purification, Bacteria classification, Bacteria genetics, Feces microbiology, Rivers microbiology, Rivers chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Seaweed microbiology
- Abstract
We investigated the dynamics of feces-associated microorganisms in areas with wrack accumulation in the southeastern part of the Baltic Sea. Our study covered single-day (2021 ) and multi-day (2022) observations during the recreational season. We collected water, sand, and wrack samples and assessed the abundance of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), as well metagenomic analysis was conducted to monitor changes in microbial composition. Based on metagenomic data we identified taxa associated with feces, sewage, and ruminant sources. Human-related fecal pollution based on genetic markers correlated with the presence of Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae and Rickenellacea abundance. Higher abundance and diversity of feces-associated and ruminant-associated taxa and the presence of enteric pathogens were observed when wrack accumulated near the river outflow in 2021, suggesting a potential link with fecal pollution from the river. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to remove the wrack to reduce the risk of exposure to potential enteric pathogens if it is accumulated next to the river outflow., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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