Effects of Waste Disposal: Temporo-Spatial Patterns of Bacterial Community Composition on Oyster Farms in Estuary Regions of Bahia, Brazil

Oyster farming in Brazil is limited by a number of problems, such as lack of sanitary control in production areas. The aim of the present study was to use the multiple correspondence analyses (MCA) to correlate the microbiological quality of oyster production in the state of Bahia, Brazil, by linking it to environment parameters. Samples were randomly collected from 15 different oyster farms, from two different cultivation techniques (lantern and pillow baskets), corresponding dry and rainy periods. Twenty eight samples were collected, stored at 5 °C and send to the laboratory. The analyzed environmental parameters were pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and polluting sources like sewage outflow. Coliforms were counted at 35 °C and 45 °C: Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Aeromonas sp. Statistical analyzes were performed using the data sizing reduction procedure (MCA), through the SPPS Program, version 18.0. A positive relationship was found between the dry period and lantern net farming with poor sanitary conditions. MCA allowed the analyzed commercial oyster farms to form three distinct groups, helped define the intervention strategies of these commercial oyster farms and provided the basis for implementing health protection measures.