VIABILITY OF THERMOPHILES AND COLIFORM BACTERIA IN ARCTIC SOILS AND WATER

Abstract

Thermophiles and coliforra bacteria were present in the intestinal tract of certain arctic animals and were sometimes found in soil and water. Thermophiles survived for a longer period than coliform bacteria when they were inoculated into soil and water simultaneously, and therefore, under natural conditions, some of the thermophiles found in these materials may originate from animal and human feces even though a sample may give a negative test for the presence of coliform bacteria.