No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The diversity and abundance of coliform bacteria (taxonomically enterobacterias), an important quality water indicator, were determined for four representative caves in Slovak Karst: Domica Cave, Gombasecká Cave, Milada Cave and Krásnohorská Cave. Three hundred and fifty-two enterobacterial isolates were successfully identified by biochemical testing (commercial ENTEROtest 24) and selected isolates confirmed by molecular techniques (PCR, 16S rDNA sequence analysis). A total of 39 enterobacterial species were isolated from cave waters, with predominance of Escherichia coli, Serratia spp. and Enterobacter spp. PCR amplification of lacZ gene is not specific enough to provide a reliable detection of coliform bacteria isolated from the environment. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA confirmed that all of the selected isolates belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae. In general, physical and chemical parameters of cave waters in Slovak Karst corresponded to national drinking water quality standards.

The gravel pits are typical features of Bratislava. By their origin they are related to the river Danube. The water quality is determinated by various indicators, especially hydrochemical and microbiological ones. In the gravel pits water was determined for increase of chloride concentration and drop of sulphate concentration. Significant indicator of faecal contamination is the presence of enterococci. Faecal enterococci (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans, E. hirae) dominates in the river Danube, and only two nonfaecal enterococcal species, E. casseliflavus and E. seriolicida were found in the water of gravel pits with other enterococcal very related taxa: Lactococcus lactis and Aeromonas spp.