Fecal Pollution of Pearl Oyster (Pinctada radiata)

Abstract

The physical parameters of the five sampling sites, such as the depth of the oyster beds, ranged from <1 to 20m; salinity, 40.98 to 56.75 g/L; pH, 7.76 to 7.95; temperature, 20.0 to 27.38°C; and dissolved oxygen, 5.60 to 5.96 mg/L. A wide range of distribution of the indicators of fecal pollution; total coliforms, 3.48 × 103 to 8.0 × 105/g; fecal coliforms, 2.97 × 102 to 3.2 × 105/g; and an enteric virus population of 0 to 4.66 virions/gof oyster meat, were detected. These observations indicate alarming levels of fecal contamination and waiiant serious concentrated efforts to contain the pollution hazards in the coastal waters.