Identifying sources of fecal contamination inexpensively with targeted sampling and bacterial source tracking

Journal of Environmental Quality
Jennifer L McDonaldKaren A Payne

Abstract

Most bacterial source tracking (BST) methods are too expensive for most communities to afford. We developed targeted sampling as a prelude to BST to reduce these costs. We combined targeted sampling with three inexpensive BST methods, Enterococcus speciation, detection of the esp gene, and fluorometry, to confirm the sources of fecal contamination to beaches on Georgia's Jekyll and Sea Islands during calm and stormy weather conditions. For Jekyll Island, the most likely source of contamination was bird feces because the percentage of Ent. faecalis was high (30%) and the esp gene was not detected. For the Sea Island beach during calm conditions, the most likely sources of fecal contamination were leaking sewer lines and wildlife feces. The leaking sewer lines were confirmed with fluorometry and detection of the esp gene. For the Sea Island beach during stormflow conditions, the most likely sources of fecal contamination were wildlife feces and runoff discharging from two county-maintained pipes. For the pipes, the most likely source of contamination was bird feces because the percentage of Ent. faecalis was high (30%) and the esp gene was not detected. Sediments were also a reservoir of fecal enterococci for both Jekyll and Sea ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 20, 2007·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Donald M Stoeckel, Valerie J Harwood
Apr 17, 2014·Water Research·Hélène GuérineauMichèle Prévost
May 22, 2009·Journal of Applied Microbiology·A KorajkicV J Harwood
Feb 10, 2009·Journal of Applied Microbiology·G ZhengC Andrew Carson
Nov 27, 2008·Environmental Science & Technology·Muruleedhara N ByappanahalliRichard L Whitman
Aug 19, 2007·Environmental Science & Technology·Kevan M YamaharaAlexandria B Boehm
Oct 19, 2010·Environmental Science & Technology·Stanley B Grant, Brett F Sanders
Oct 17, 2007·Environmental Science & Technology·Richard L WhitmanMuruleedhara N Byappanahalli

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