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Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Bacteria/pathogens – Vulnerability

Bacteria/pathogens – Vulnerability

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Flow chart showing the major elements associated with bacteria and pathogen management

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The vulnerability of a wetland to bacteria/pathogens is dependent on:

  • water salinity: mammalian derived bacteria generally die off more quickly in saline water
  • water temperature: mammalian derived bacteria generally survive longer in warmer water
  • water clarity: bacteria/pathogens generally die off more quickly in clearer water due to UV sterilisation processes
  • water residence time, flushing rate and dilution factors which all help determine the vulnerability of a wetland to bacteria/pathogens with longer residence times, poor flushing rates and low dilution resulting in higher levels of vulnerability

It is thought that a healthy wetland will be less vulnerable than a stressed one.

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Bacteria/pathogens – Vulnerability, WetlandInfo website, accessed 13 April 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/pressures/lacustrine-palustrine-threats/bacteria-pathogens/vulnerability.html