Vulnerability - Bacteria/Pathogens

The vulnerability of a wetland to bacteria/pathogens is dependent on:

• Water salinity: mammalian derived bacteria generally die off more quickly in saline water
• Water temperature: mammalian derived bacteria generally survive longer in warmer water
• Water clarity: bacteria/pathogens generally die off more quickly in clearer water due to UV sterilisation processes
• Water residence time, flushing rate and dilution factors all help to determine the vulnerability of a wetland to bacteria/pathogens with longer residence times, poor flushing rates and low dilution resulting in higher levels of vulnerability
• It is thought that a healthy wetland will be less vulnerable than a stressed one