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Updated: May 16, 2026
09:44
Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
Published on: December 23, 2022
Escherichia coli survival in waters: temperature dependence
R A Blaustein1, Y Pachepsky, R L Hill
1Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD, USA.
Water Research
|November 28, 2012
Summary
The Q₁₀ model
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Water quality science
- Microbial ecology
Background:
- Survival rates of water-borne Escherichia coli (E. coli) are crucial for assessing microbial contamination and informing management decisions.
- Temperature significantly influences E. coli survival, often modeled using the Q₁₀ equation, a method not updated in over three decades.
- Previous assessments relied on limited data, necessitating a re-evaluation with current scientific literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the accuracy of the Q₁₀ model for predicting E. coli inactivation rates.
- To analyze a comprehensive dataset of E. coli survival curves accumulated since 1978.
- To investigate the influence of water source type on E. coli inactivation and temperature dependency.
Main Methods:
- Compiled a database of 450 E. coli survival datasets from 70 peer-reviewed publications.
- Focused on 170 laboratory-based datasets under dark conditions to isolate inactivation factors.
- Calculated first-order inactivation rate constants and analyzed temperature dependencies across various water sources.
Main Results:
- Observed diverse inactivation patterns, including fast/slow log-linear phases, lag periods, and linear inactivation.
- Found significant variations in E. coli inactivation rates and temperature dependencies among different water sources (e.g., rivers, lakes, wastewater).
- Determined the Q₁₀ equation's accuracy to be site-specific, performing better in rivers and coastal waters than in lakes.
Conclusions:
- The Q₁₀ model's accuracy for E. coli inactivation is influenced by water source characteristics.
- Site-specific calibration is essential for reliable microbial water quality modeling using the Q₁₀ approach.
- Results highlight potential uncertainties in watershed-scale microbial modeling due to variations in E. coli survival dynamics.
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