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Microbiological Analysis in Three Diverse Natural Geothermal Bathing Pools in Iceland

Author

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  • Berglind Osk Th. Thorolfsdottir

    (Matis, Department of Food Safety, Environment and Genetics, Vínlandsleið 12, Reykjavík 113, Iceland
    School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Sæmundargata 2, Reykjavík 101, Iceland)

  • Viggo Thor Marteinsson

    (Matis, Department of Food Safety, Environment and Genetics, Vínlandsleið 12, Reykjavík 113, Iceland)

Abstract

Natural thermal bathing pools contain geothermal water that is very popular to bathe in but the water is not sterilized, irradiated or treated in any way. Increasing tourism in Iceland will lead to increasing numbers of bath guests, which can in turn affect the microbial flora in the pools and therefore user safety. Today, there is no legislation that applies to natural geothermal pools in Iceland, as the water is not used for consumption and the pools are not defined as public swimming pools. In this study, we conducted a microbiological analysis on three popular but different natural pools in Iceland, located at Lýsuhóll, Hveravellir and Landmannalaugar. Total bacterial counts were performed by flow cytometry, and with plate count at 22 °C, 37 °C and 50 °C. The presence of viable coliforms, Enterococcus spp. and pseudomonads were investigated by growth experiments on selective media. All samples were screened for noroviruses by real time PCR. The results indicate higher fecal contamination in the geothermal pools where the geothermal water flow was low and bathing guest count was high during the day. The number of cultivated Pseudomonas spp. was high (13,000–40,000 cfu/100 mL) in the natural pools, and several strains were isolated and classified as opportunistic pathogens. Norovirus was not detected in the three pools. DNA was extracted from one-liter samples in each pool and analyzed by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbial diversity analysis revealed different microbial communities between the pools and they were primarily composed of alpha-, beta- and gammaproteobacteria .

Suggested Citation

  • Berglind Osk Th. Thorolfsdottir & Viggo Thor Marteinsson, 2013. "Microbiological Analysis in Three Diverse Natural Geothermal Bathing Pools in Iceland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:3:p:1085-1099:d:24277
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    Cited by:

    1. Jocelyn Leonie Jardine & Akebe Luther King Abia & Vuyo Mavumengwana & Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, 2017. "Phylogenetic Analysis and Antimicrobial Profiles of Cultured Emerging Opportunistic Pathogens (Phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria) Identified in Hot Springs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Asja Korajkic & Brian R. McMinn & Valerie J. Harwood, 2018. "Relationships between Microbial Indicators and Pathogens in Recreational Water Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-39, December.

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