| Abstract |
There are more than 110 different viruses known to be excreted in human feces and collectively called the "enteric viruses". Viruses survive better at low temperatures and are inactivated at high temperatures. Viruses can remain viable for long periods of time in seawater and have been shown to survive as long as 17 months in marine sediment. Viruses associated with sediment are as infectious to animals as those that are freely suspended. Marine sediment act as a reservoir of viruses, which may be resuspended by any kind of turbulence, such as boating, storms and dredging. Rains can also increase viral concentration in the water by increasing land runoff and by release of sewage from overburdened treatment plants. |
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