Microbiological contamination in the Akumal coastal zone, Quintana Roo State, Mexico

Abstract

A bimonthly analysis of coliform bacteria concentration was carried out in 2001, in the water and sediment of Bay of Akumal. Two techniques of analysis were applied, the multiple tubes traditional technique and the Kit SimPlate. The results do not indicate statistical differences between the techniques used in water and sediment; however inadequate sanitary quality was detected only with the multiple tubes technique. The area analyzed presented fecal coliform contamination in the Yalku lagoon in October and December approaching the tourist season at the end of the year. The higher bacteria concentrations were present in locations with low salinity and dissolved oxygen. The Kit SimPlate results did not show tendencies in time and had no correlation with physicochemical parameters in water. Both techniques showed an increase in sediment concentrations at the end of the year but in different sites. The long term influence of these bacteria can be important because the continuous introduction of residual non-treated water in coastal zones and places where the communities are sensitive, as the reefs, has demonstrated to be able to modify the biocenosis of the bentic communities with definitive effects. The multiple tubes technique is recommended to determinate the sanitary water quality analysis in the coastal zone.