Factors Affecting Fecal Coliform Concentrations in Water and in Sediment at Various Geographical Locations on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

This study surveyed 10 different geographical locations on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, and compared the levels of water quality indicators throughout an 11-week period in the summer of 1994. Of the four indicator microorganisms studied (fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, fecal streptococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), fecal coliforms/E. coli appeared to be the most sensitive to changes in the surrounding environment. Fecal coliforms and E. coli were deemed to be good indicators of the relationship between human health and ecosystem health. A number of environmental variables were found to affect fecal coliform/E. coli concentrations in water and in sediment, including location, objective measure of fetch values (indicating the amount of water exchange), wind velocity, wave action, percentage of organic carbon in sediment (which is related to fetch), and boat number (again related to fetch). No effect on the indicator microorganism concentration was observed for week number, number of swimmers, number of cottages, water temperature, and rainfall.