Fecal Coliform Bacteria Essay ⋆ Environment Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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Fecal coliform bacteria are the naturally occurring bacteria found in the digestive tracts of most animals. These beneficial organisms aid in digestion, converting certain indigestible fibers and compounds into nutritious compounds. So long as they remain within the alimentary canal, these bacteria are harmless to their host. Fecal coliform bacteria are shed along with excrement, and can colonize other individuals or even species different than their original host. Infections from a foreign body’s fecal coliform bacteria are typically nonfatal, although severe symptoms can lead to death. Two to four days following infection from fecal coliform bacteria, symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, headaches, and fever arise. Antibiotics can successfully treat fecal coliform infections, although there is some concern that antibiotic-resistant strains of fecal coliform bacteria are developing.

Outside of their preferred host environment, fecal coliform bacteria can survive for weeks; E. coli, one of the most common human fecal coliform bacteria, can survive in drinking water from between four to 12 weeks, and can lead to widespread human illness. Some fecal coliform bacteria can also become airborne, and can be inhaled or settle onto surfaces, later to be transferred onto new hosts and ingested or introduced onto mucous membranes.

Danger in the Water

One of the most damaging environmental effects of fecal coliform bacteria stems from contamination of aquatic systems, which can either be from the direct introduction of human or animal waste into waterways, or from wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, or agricultural runoff. Pet waste also contributes heavily to the contamination of freshwater systems by fecal coliform bacteria; some estimates suggest that nonpoint source, rather than point sources for fecal coliform pollution, represent a larger share of water contamination. Contamination of estuaries and marine systems with fecal coliform bacteria can halt shellfish harvesting and even lead to beach closures. Introduction in waterways and other aquatic systems can result in competition for resources with native bacteria, with effects noticeable in higher trophic levels. Additionally, the presence of fecal coliform bacteria typically indicates the incidence of more dangerous pathogens or parasites.

In aquatic environments, the source of the bacteria typically represents a rich source of nutrients, which, when decomposed, leads to lower oxygen levels and overabundance of aquatic plants and phytoplankton. This process, called eutrophication, in turn causes stress to aquatic organisms, and can even lead to fish kills. Furthermore, the higher turbidity of contaminated water can result in lower productivity of benthic aquatic plants, and settling particulate matter can smother filter-feeding organisms, such as bivalves.

Most of the documented cases of fecal coliform infection in humans has been a result of improperly handled, packaged, and prepared foods, typically ground beef. Fecal coliform bacteria are introduced through inadequate sanitary precautions at slaughterhouses, improper sanitation when handling food, and possibly even the spreading of animal manures onto fields. Lack of sanitary toilet facilities for agricultural workers also presents an additional source of fecal coliform contamination of food sources.

Bibliography:

C. Edberg, E.W. Rice, R.J. Karlin, and M.J. Allen, “Escherichia coli: The Best Biological Drinking Water Indicator for Public Health Protection,” Journal of Applied Microbiology (v. 88, 2000);
A.F. Holland, M. Sanger, C.P. Gawle, S.B. Lerberg, M.S. Santiago, G.H.M. Riekerk, L.E. Zimmerman, and G.I. Scott, “Linkages Between Tidal Creek Ecosystems and the Landscape and Demographic Attributes of Their Watersheds,” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology (v. 298, n. 2, 2004);
Reynolds, P. Watt, S. Boone, C. Gerba, “Occurrence of Bacteria and Biochemical Markers on Public Surfaces,” International Journal of EnvironmentalHealth Research (v. 15, n. 3, 2005).