Microbial Hazards from Faecal Pollution in Urban Estuaries: A Case Study of the Lower Yarra River

This PhD thesis aims to enhance the understanding of hazards that determine the level of health risks to the users of urban estuaries for recreational purpose. Results presented in this thesis highlight estuarine sediments as potential sources of human pathogens, which comprise an overlooked health hazard in estuarine context. Novelty of this thesis lies in using simulated human intestinal conditions for characterization of human health risks. Understandings from this thesis will allow better communication of microbial hazards in urban estuaries, which can be used for selecting better strategies to ensure safer recreational activities in similar aquatic systems.