Die-off and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in freshwater.

Studies of the survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in freshwater, in situ and in the laboratory, were carried out. A die-off of P. aeruginosa very similar to those of the microbial indicators of fecal pollution, especially to the coliforms, was observed from the results obtained by in situ experiments. The laboratory studies show that the factors tested which exert the greatest effect on the survival of P. aeruginosa in freshwater are the luminous radiations and non-filtrable biotic factors. Furthermore, a negative effect on the viability of this microorganism in freshwater is observed when sewage is added.