What does the presence of *Enterococcus* bacteria in high numbers strongly suggest regarding contamination in Florida's coastal waters?
Answer
The water has been contaminated by fecal matter from warm-blooded animals.
The rationale for monitoring *Enterococcus* bacteria centers on its reliability as a fecal contamination indicator. When this specific bacterium is found in high concentrations, it provides a robust indication that the water quality has been compromised by the introduction of fecal matter originating from warm-blooded animals. Because this type of waste material is intrinsically linked to the potential presence of human pathogens, the elevated reading triggers immediate protective measures, such as advisories, even if the exact pathogen load is not immediately quantified for the general public.
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