Survival of Escherichia coli in the Arctic fjorden: A Microcosm study during Arctic summer and fall

Abstract The Arctic is losing its pristine nature due to the increased warming and human activities in the region. This may lead to the introduction of mesophilic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) into the environment. The warming trend in the Arctic will support those bacteria to thrive in the environment. The horizontal gene exchange mechanism in the bacteria will lead to an exchange of antibiotic-resistant genes with the environmental microbes. Migratory birds have a significant role in the dissemination of pathogenic and ARB into the Arctic. In this study, the survival of pathogenic and multidrug-resistant mesophilic bacteria, E. coli isolated from migratory birds, Barnacle goose was carried out. In-situ microcosm studies were carried out in the Arctic during the summer (2017) and fall (2018) to evaluate the survival of the bacteria in the environments. In addition, this study also tested the factors such as biological, chemical, and physical parameters that determine the survival of E.coli in the Arctic waters. In the Arctic summer, the removal of the bacteria is mainly influenced by biological factors and solar radiation during summer and prolonged survival of E.coli during the fall season.