Assessment of the Effect of Light, HgCl<sub>2</sub> and Organic Compound on <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> Cells Survive in Aquatic Microcosm

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the cultivability of E. faecalis and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) under different light intensities in the presence of different concentrations of mercury chloride (HgCl 2 ) and biodegradable organic compound (BOC). Studied light intensities were 0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 lux while studied HgCl 2 concentrations were 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1µg/L. The BOC used was glucose at concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1mg/L and at pH 7. The BOC used was glucose at concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1mg/L and at pH 7. The duration of incubation under light was 6 h. Results showed that E. faecalis and EPEC bacteria are inactivated by HgCl 2 irrespective of studied concentration. The cells inhibition percentage (CIP) of E.