Cahoon, L. B., Mallin, M.A., Toothman, B., Ortwine, M., Harrington, R., Gerhart, R. 2007. Is there a relationship between phosphorus and fecal microbes in aquatic sediments? UNC-WRRI- 366. UNC-WRRI, Raleigh, NC .

bacteria, nutrients, sampling, sediment

This study examined the distribution and concentration of fecal indicator bacteria in sediments in diverse aquatic habitats in southeastern North Carolina, and examined their relationship to different measures of sediment phosphorus. Although fecal bacteria counts in the water column attenuated after a few days of a large sewage spill, bacterial counts remained elevated in sediments.