Faecal bacteria from sewage effluent in sediments around an ocean outfall

Abstract
A study of organisms around an ocean sewage outfall showed that bacteria of faecal origin could be detected in the sediment up to 8 km from the outfall. The direction of the currents and wind affected distribution, and even when bacteria were not detected in the water column they were detected in the sediments. The implications of these results for recreational areas and shellfish beds are discussed.