OCORRÊNCIA DE FUNGOS, COLIFORMES E ESTREPTOCOCOS FECAIS EM PRAIS DA GRANDE JOÃO PESSOA (PARAÍBA), BRASIL

Abstract

Spatial and temporal distributions of fungi, fecal conforms and fecal streptococci were assessed, based on data from 12 sampling stations located along the littoral of João Pessoa and Cabedelo (State of Paraíba). Data were collected during 14 months, including winter (rainy season) and summer (dry season). Fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci concentrations were higher insummer in association with increasing bathers numbers and sewage discharges during the turist season. High bacteria levels were observed during winter at discharge points of streams and channels due to surface runoff contaminated with faeces and sewage. Apparently fecal streptococci were more resistant to seawater conditions than fecal coliforms. Moulds distribution did not present a definite pattern neither were associated with fecal pollution. Yeasts isolation had low frequencies, being slightly higher in summer. Higher diversity of yeasts was observed in more contaminated sampling stations. The results suggest that yeasts, particularly Candida spp., could be an additional fecal indicator, useful as complementary data in order to evaluate fecal contamination in coastal seawaters.

Keywords: Microbiological indicators, fecal contamination, coliforms, streptococci, moulds,yeasts, seawater. Northeast Brazil.

Descritores: Indicadores microbiologicos, contaminacjao fecal, coliformes, estreptococos,bolores, leveduras, agua do mar, Nordeste do Brasil.