Microbiological contamination of coastal waters with a focus on the Pineios delta in Greece, new results

Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa 41500, Greece

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Abstract

The purpose of this work is to determine coastal waters microbiological quality near estuaries in Larisa Greece. Pineios River is the recipient of the greatest amount of pollutants in the area of Thessaly, Greece. The major sources of pollution include treated urban, industrial wastes and the intense agricultural and livestock activity that takes place in the Thessalian plain. Fecal indicator bacteria, E. Coli, total coliforms and Enterococcus were investigated. The health risks of recreational use of surface waters [1, 2] have been found to increases with FIB density [3]. Surface water pollution is a prevalent risk to human health [4] and constitutes a hazard to aquatic animals and plants.