Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
Published on: March 12, 2013
Effect of solar radiation and predacious microorganisms on survival of fecal and other bacteria
Abstract:
The effect of solar radiation and predacious microorganisms on the survival of bacteria of fecal and plant origin was studied. The decline in the numbers of Escherichia coli cells in estuarine water samples was found to be significantly greater in the presence of both naturally occurring microbial predators and solar radiation than when each of these factors was acting independently. The effect of solar radiation on microbial predators was negligible, whereas the susceptibility of bacteria to light-induced decay varied from one organism to another, as follows: Klebsiella pneumoniae greater than E. coli greater than Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus faecium, Enterobacter aerogenes, Erwinia herbicola.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Nutrition
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Microbial Interactions: Predation
Soil Microbial Ecology
Microbes and Climate Change
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

