Disease-causing organisms such as E. coli are categorized as what?

Disease-causing organisms such as E. coli are categorized as what?

• A. Pathogens
• B. Nutrient pollution
• C. Sediment pollution
• D. Major NPS pollutants

Answer: (A)

Pathogens are disease-causing organisms, including certain bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In water quality, E. coli is a well-known example used to indicate fecal contamination, which raises concern for the possible presence of other harmful microbes. That’s why disease-causing organisms are categorized as pathogens. Nutrient pollution involves excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that fuel algal blooms; sediment pollution refers to solid particles that reduce water clarity; whereas pathogens form their own category because they specifically cause disease. So the best fit for disease-causing organisms such as E. coli is pathogens.

Pathogens are disease-causing organisms, including certain bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In water quality, E. coli is a well-known example used to indicate fecal contamination, which raises concern for the possible presence of other harmful microbes. That’s why disease-causing organisms are categorized as pathogens. Nutrient pollution involves excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that fuel algal blooms; sediment pollution refers to solid particles that reduce water clarity; whereas pathogens form their own category because they specifically cause disease. So the best fit for disease-causing organisms such as E. coli is pathogens.