Interactions of E. coli with algae and aquatic vegetation in natural waters

Authors: CHO, KYUNGHWA - ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (UNIST); WOLNY, JENNIFER - U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA); KASE, JULIE - U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA); UNNO, TATSYA - JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY; Pachepsky, Yakov

Submitted to: Water Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/2021
Publication Date: 12/7/2021
Citation: Cho, K., Wolny, J., Kase, J., Unno, T., Pachepsky, Y.A. 2021. Interactions of E. coli with algae and aquatic vegetation in natural waters. Water Research. 209:117952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117952.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117952

Interpretive Summary: The microbial quality of surface waters is a matter of public concern. E. coli is the leading indicator of microbial water quality. E. coli survival. Microalgae and aquatic vegetation provide nutrition and shelter to E. coli and modify the E. coli habitat parameters. Knowing these interactions is essential for understanding how E. coli concentrations in the water reflect management practices at the surrounding land and the water body. We prepared the first review that systematically presents interactions between E. coli and microalgae and aquatic vegetation and offers the outlook at promising research and technology developments. This review will help interactions and cooperation of specialists of different backgrounds working to improve microbial quality of recreation and irrigation waters.

Technical Abstract: Both algae and microorganisms are essential inhabitants of surface waters. They present a matter of ecological significance, public concern, and various control actions. Interactions of microalgae, submerged aquatic vegetation, and bacteria appear to be important phenomena that cannot be ignored. This review aims to present the overview of current knowledge of these interactions to professionals of various backgrounds who are involved in research and management of microbial water quality with the focus on Escherichia coli, which is the lead indicator of the potential presence of pathogens. We address the major effects of algae on Escherichia coli survival, including the change in the nutrient supply, modification of water properties and constituents, impact on sunlight radiation penetration., survival as a related attachment, algal mediation of secondary habitats, and survival inhibition due to the release of toxic substances and antibiotics. We also present a research outlook regarding horizontal gene transfer and antibiotic resistance, strain-specific interactions, effects of the microbial and microalgae community structure, hydrodynamic controls, existing and expected consequence of climate change, and advances in observation technologies brought by the high-resolution satellite-based imaging, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and mathematical modeling. The multiplicity of interactions among bacteria, algae, and aquatic vegetation as well as multifaceted impacts of these interactions, create a wide spectrum of research opportunities and technology developments.