Faecal pollution indicators in the Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

The occurrence of faecal bacteria indicators (total coliforms, faecal coliforms and streptococci) in pristine waters and near Italian Base stations of the Terra Nova Bay was investigated. High bacterial densities were found at the station near to the outfall of the sewage disposal plant and when the population at Base was more abundant. In all other stations further from the outfall, the bacterial indicators were absent or present in very small numbers, Faecal bacteria were not detected in samples collected at pristine sites (Penguin Bay and Evans Cove) except for only 1 enterococcus per 100 ml at Evans Cove. In the seawater samples in which faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci were found, the latter were generally more abundant and in 4 samples only streptococci were isolated, although in low number. This could suggest that faecal streptococci are more suitable bacteria for investigation of the human impact on the Antarctic marine environment. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.