Survival of Microbial Pathogens in the Marine Environment
Abstract
Viruses from each of the three major subgroups of human enteroviruses were tested for their stability in waters of various salinities. The major findings were: the most important factor influencing virus survival was water temperature with salinity having little, if any, effect; the individual viruses varied widely in their stability with Coxsackie B-5 being the most stable, ECHO virus 6 being intermediate, and poliovirus 1 the least stable; results of in situ studies inidicated that the viruses were more labile in natural waters than in artificial seawater of the same salinity and that they were less stable in ocean water than in estuarine water; the virucidal activity of seawater was associated with marine microorganisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA090757
Entities
People
- F. M. Hetrick
- Rita R. Colwell
Organizations
- University of Maryland