Assessment of Escherichia coli Contamination in Coastal Marine Waters: Implications for Public Health and Marine Ecology

Abstract

Both molecular techniques, including PCR, and conventional culture-based methods were employed to enumerate and characterize E. coli in coastal seawater samples. Environmental parameters (pH, temperature, salinity) and potential contamination sources were concurrently assessed. Analysis revealed significant spatial variation in E. coli concentrations, with peak levels observed in urban coastal areas. These findings demonstrate that the occurrence of waterborne pathogens is environmentally dependent, underscoring the necessity for systematic surveillance programmes to safeguard marine water quality and public health.

Keywords

Microbial ecology, Environmental microbes, PCR testing, DNA-based detection, fecal pollution, Sewage contamination, Indicator bacteria, Microbial markers, Health safety, Community health Surveillance