Enumeration of microorganisms other than streptococci and coliforms in seawater and sand

Abstract

The present project reviews the possibility of introducing the four microorganisms, namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Candida albicans as biological indicators to assess the seawater and sand quality of bathing beaches in Malta. The introductory chapter describes the qualities which an indicator organism should possess in order ta be useful for such a purpose. Chapter One outlines the properties of the organisms which are being used at present as primary indicators, namely Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms, and Faecal Streptococci, as well as the four, above-mentioned, organisms. Their characteristics are then described in greater detail in Chapter Two. The experimental procedures, adopted for the function of our project are described in chapters Three and Four. Chapter Three surveys the culture media that are available on the market, and describes in detail those which we thought best adapted for our present purpose. Chapter Four is a review of all the laboratory techniques used throughout the experimental procedure. The next three chapters (Five, Six, and Seven) contain the results obtained from the monitoring of the organism levels in the seawater and sand samples. Chapters Five and Six contain the qualitative and quantitative values of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Clostridium perfringens. Chapter Seven records those far Candida albicans. The conclusions drawn from the whole project are discussed in the final chapter.