Dynamics of Non-01 Vibrio Cholerae in Experimental Sewage Stabilization Ponds under Arid Mediterranean Climate

Abstract

The temporal dynamics of non-01 Vibrio cholerae and pollution-indicator bacteria were studied in experimental stabilization ponds under an arid Mediterranean climate after 30 months of a biweekly monitoring program. The non-01 Vibrio chlolerae MPNs showed a strong annual periodicity of the abundances for this bacterial population : low levels during the cold season, high levels during the hot season; this seasonal cycle appeared in the inflow, in the first pond and in the final outflow. Classical pollution-indicator bacteria behaved quite differently, according to data from the literature. The sewage treatment process looked ineffective on this bacterial type : no bacterial reduction during the hot season, no significant decrease during cold season.