The effects of sea-water quality on health

Abstract

It has been known, at least since the middle of the last century and particularly since the first study on ocean microbiology in 1874, that pathogenic bacteria and a good many parasites survive very well in natural sea-water (Brisou 1976). These pathogenic bacteria may give rise to infections in one of three main ways: a) Ingestion of sea-water while bathing; b) Ingestion of contaminated sea-foods; c) Forced entry of bacteria into breaks or tears in delicate membranes in the ear or nose, as a result of diving into the sea-water (Shu val 1986). Besides, commensal bacteria, which are often found in man, may give rise to disease when the resistence of the individual who harbours them is lowered, as might occur in the case of extended periods of bathing in cold water. (Hood and Moore 1976).