Soil macropores and compaction control the leaching potential of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

The influence of soil structure in controlling leaching of Escherichia coli O157:H7 through soil was investigated under controlled conditions using both intact and repacked soil cores. Leaching rates of E. coli O157:H7 decreased with increasing dry bulk density and were significantly increased by the presence of earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) burrows in repacked cores.