ESTUDIOS BACTERIOLÓGICOS EN LA CIÉNAGA GRANDE DE SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA

Abstract

Among the aquatic bacteria of the Ciénaga Grande halophilic forms predominate in the salinity range of brackish* water. Their number further rises while the salinity decreases during the rainy season. Only at salinities below 10 %o, however, the fresh water bacteria increase. They reach a temporary maximum at about 3 %o salinity. At the same time the halophilic flora decreases. Using the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli as indicator, a certain degree of pollution can be detected near the fishing-villages, rarely in the rest of the lagoon. 100 oysters (Crassostrea rhizoforae) were examined for Salmonellas and gave negative results. 4 out of 6 water samples collected between the lakedwellings of Bocas de Aracataca contained Salmonellas. The present degree of pollution of the Ciénaga Grande is not alarming with respect to oyster fishery.