Relationships between abiotic and biotic variables in a maturation pond and their influence on E. coli removal.

The effects of depth and climate seasonality on zooplankton, algal biomass, coliforms and Escherichia coli in a small full-scale shallow maturation pond receiving pre-treated domestic wastewater were evaluated during a tropical climatic seasonal cycle. The experiment revealed that the zooplankton community was dominated by rotifers and protozoans, and concentrations were influenced by seasonality. A negative correlation between zooplankton, and pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and ultraviolet radiation, and chlorophyll-a and Escherichia coli were observed at all depths.