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Bacteria/pathogens – State

Bacteria/pathogens – State

Flow chart showing the major elements associated with bacteria and pathogen management

Click on elements of the flow chart or select from the tabs below

Physical-chemical state

Changes to the bacteria/pathogen load entering a wetland can affect bacteria/pathogen concentrations, e.g. the higher the concentration of bacteria/pathogens present in the wetland the greater the likelihood of biota coming into contact with it and a biological impact occurring.

Biological impact

Changes to the bacteria/pathogen concentrations of a wetland can result in:

  • lesions/disease
  • a loss of sensitive species
  • mass mortality events.

Bacteria/pathogens entering a wetland may result in a loss of sensitive species. Mammalian derived bacteria (e.g. from humans, pigs and cattle) are thought to have little if any impact on non-mammalian wetland fauna such as fish and macroinvertebrates, however, mammalian bacteria are known to be assimilated by mussels but are usually broken down in fish guts. Humans can be exposed to bacteria/pathogens directly through recreational activities or through the consumption of contaminated fauna such as mussels. Pathogens can result in mass mortality events of susceptible species.


Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Bacteria/pathogens – State, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/pressures/lacustrine-palustrine-threats/bacteria-pathogens/state.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation