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Impact of weather conditions on E scherichia coli accumulation in oysters of the T hau lagoon (the M editerranean, F rance)
Author(s) -
Derolez V.,
Soudant D.,
Fiandrino A.,
Cesmat L.,
Serais O.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12040
Subject(s) - mediterranean climate , escherichia coli , oceanography , ecology , biology , mediterranean sea , environmental science , climatology , geology , biochemistry , gene
Aims The T hau lagoon shellfish are regularly impacted by microbial pollution of faecal origin, which cause E uropean health standards to be exceeded and closure of the shellfish harvest. The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of weather and hydrological conditions on E scherichia coli ( E . coli ) accumulation factor ( AF ) between water and oysters and to evaluate the relevance of the use of this ratio for the purpose of sanitary risk assessment. Methods and results Water and oysters ( C rassostrea gigas ) were sampled simultaneously in situ during 18 months in periods of dry weather and after rainfall events. Shellfish sanitary thresholds were exceeded in both periods. The E . coli AF s measured after rainfall ( median = 6) were lower than in dry weather ( median = 32), suggesting different shellfish faecal contaminations were operating in this system process. Conclusion The AF s we measured appeared to be relevant markers for generating sanitary risk assessments for T hau lagoon shellfish. Significance and impact of the study The results of the study address the need to assess the relationship between water quality measures and shellfish flesh quality. This study will contribute to the elaboration of a management tool to guide local authorities in prioritizing the sources of pollution and in optimizing public investment in the watershed.