Index >> Aquatic Environment Microbiology >>Surface Waters

Surface Waters - Water from lakes, streams, rivers and oceans constitute surface waters. These water bodies are susceptible to contamination by external sources. Majority of the microorganisms found in these waters come from nearby landscapes. The surface runoff from soil brings in soil microflora. Thus the microflora of surface waters partly represent that of soil.

Rain water plays an important role in bringing out changes in the microflora of surface waters. During the first rain most of the soil microbial populations are brought into the surface water bodies. In the second and subsequent rainfalls there will not be much addition of microorganisms. These rain waters only act as a diluent of surface water bodies.