Publications

The increased anthropogenic pressure and microbial discharges into the Eastern Mediterranean coasts necessitates continuous water quality assessment studies. The aim of the current study is to assess bacteriological loads in Tripoli’s coastal water (northern Lebanon) in samples collected from two locations: site 1 including three distances from a large sewage outlet, and site 2 located in semi-enclosed area next to smaller sewage outlet in the port of Tripoli. 100% of the water samples collected at 10 m from the sewage outlet and from the port area exceeded the E. coli and total coliform threshold values set by international foundations for recreational water. However, E. coli counts in samples collected at 500 m and 1000 m from the sewer were significantly lower than the acceptable thresholds. Seasonal fluctuation of bacterial indicator in coastal water was evident as revealed by the significantly higher levels of fecal indicator during winter and summer compared to fall and spring. These findings highlight the need for year-round monitoring of fecal coliform, and call on national and local authorities to install signs banning recreational activities such as swimming and fishing next to such contaminated hotspots.