Use of protozoan communities for pollution monitoring

Parassitologia. 1997 Sep;39(3):201-12.

Abstract

A gradient of chronic organic pollution was identified in a small river in south-east England. The parasite fauna of the ubiquitous three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) was studied at the extremes of the pollution gradient and trichodinid ciliates identified as a potential bioindicator. A simple technique was developed for the quantification of whole body-burdens of trichodinids on small fish. Three species of trichodinids were identified: Trichodina domerguei, T. tenuidens and Trichodinella epizootica at combined infestation intensities of < 14 to 137522/fish. Preliminary results are reported which may link the increased intensity of trichodinid infestation with increased concentration of sewage treatment works effluent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Fish Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Fish Diseases / etiology
  • Fishes
  • Fresh Water / microbiology
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / etiology
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Pollution* / adverse effects
  • Water Pollution* / analysis