Microbiological pollution of marine sediments in the southern stretch of the gulf of Naples

In summer 1982, 99 samples of marine sediment were collected over 5 days using a Shipek grab sampler. The samples were analysed for coliforms, faecal streptococci, sulphite reducers and total plate counts. A table is given showing the results of the analyses. According to the coliform counts, the southern part of the Gulf was less polluted than other parts of the bay, but according to the distribution of enterococci and clostridia, the southern part seemed more polluted. Possible explanations are presented, and it was concluded that the dumping of raw or partially treated sewage into the sea could result in a sediment count 100-1000 times higher than that of the surrounding water.