Effect of heavy metals on growth population of a fecal coliform bacterium Escherichia coli in aquatic environment

The data on the effects of the concentrations (0.5, l, 2, 5 mg L^?1) of the heavy metals, Hg, As, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr on changes in growth population of a fecal coliform bacterium Escherichia coli (in term of number of E. coli per 100 mL water) showed a gradual decline in growth population of the fecal coliform bacterium with the increase of exposure time, as well as concentrations of the metals over control data. The effects were markedly recorded with the treatment of 5 mg L^?1. In general, the harmful effects of the metals on growth population of E. coli were found by the treatments in the order: Cd>Ph>Cu>As>Hg>Cr.