Zooplankton Ineffective in Cleaning Sewage-Contaminated Water

New research reveals that zooplankton do not significantly reduce fecal microorganisms in polluted waterways, challenging previous assumptions.

Scientists found that zooplankton, tiny aquatic animals, do not effectively inactivate harmful pathogens in sewage-contaminated water.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Texas at El Paso and Stanford University, focusing on water samples from the San Francisco Bay area.
Contrary to expectations, large particles like zooplankton had minimal impact on reducing E. coli and MS2 virus levels, which are indicators of fecal contamination.
High salinity levels in ocean water were found to inactivate pathogens more effectively than the presence of zooplankton.
The findings highlight the need for reassessing natural water remediation strategies and considering environmental factors like salinity in managing water quality.