Characterizing relationships among fecal indicator bacteria, microbial source tracking markers, and associated waterborne pathogen occurrence in stream water and sediments in a mixed land use watershed

J Kenneth Bradshaw; Blake J Snyder; Adelumola Oladeinde; David Spidle; Mark E Berrag; Richard J Meinersmann; Brian Oakley; Roy C Sidle; Kathleen Sullivan; Marirosa Molina

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.014

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Characterizing relationships among fecal indicator bacteria, microbial source tracking markers, and associated waterborne pathogen occurrence in stream water and sediments in a mixed land use watershed

Journal article

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Characterizing relationships among fecal indicator bacteria, microbial source tracking markers, and associated waterborne pathogen occurrence in stream water and sediments in a mixed land use watershed

J Kenneth Bradshaw, Blake J Snyder, Adelumola Oladeinde, David Spidle, Mark E Berrag, Richard J Meinersmann, Brian Oakley, Roy C Sidle, Kathleen Sullivan and Marirosa Molina

Water Research, Vol.101, pp.498-509

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.014

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Abstract

fecal indicator bacteria

microbial source tracking markers

recursive partitioning

waterborne pathogens

sediment

Bed sediments of streams and rivers may store high concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and pathogens. Due to resuspension events, these contaminants can be mobilized into the water column and affect overall water quality. Other bacteria indicators such as microbial source tracking (MST) markers, developed to determine potential sources of fecal contamination, can also be resuspended from bed sediments. The primary objective of this study was to predict occurrence of waterborne pathogens in water and streambed sediments using a simple statistical model that includes traditionally measured FIB, environmental parameters and source allocation, using MST markers as predictor variables. Synoptic sampling events were conducted during baseflow conditions downstream from agricultural (AG), forested (FORS), and waste water pollution control plant (WPCP) land uses. Concentrations of FIB and MST markers were measured in water and sediments, along with occurrences of the enteric pathogens Campylobacter, Listeria and Salmonella, and the virulence gene that carries Shiga toxin, stx2. Pathogens were detected in water more often than in underlying sediments. Shiga toxin was significantly related to land use, with concentrations of the ruminant marker selected as an independent variable that could correctly classify 76% and 64% of observed Shiga toxin occurrences in water and sediment, respectively. FIB concentrations and water quality parameters were also selected as independent variables that correctly classified Shiga toxin occurrences in water and sediment (54%-87%), and Salmonella occurrences in water (96%). Relationships between pathogens and indicator variables were generally inconsistent and no single indicator adequately described occurrence of all pathogens. Because of inconsistent relationships between individual pathogens and FIB/MST markers, incorporating a combination of FIB, water quality measurements, and MST markers may be the best way to assess microbial water quality in mixed land use systems.

Details

Title: Characterizing relationships among fecal indicator bacteria, microbial source tracking markers, and associated waterborne pathogen occurrence in stream water and sediments in a mixed land use watershed
Authors: J Kenneth Bradshaw (Author) - Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, United States
Blake J Snyder (Author) - Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, United States
Adelumola Oladeinde (Author) - National Exposure Research Laboratory, United States
David Spidle (Author) - National Exposure Research Laboratory, United States
Mark E Berrag (Author) - Agricultural Research Service, United States
Richard J Meinersmann (Author) - Agricultural Research Service, United States
Brian Oakley (Author) - Western University of Health Sciences, United States
Roy C Sidle (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Kathleen Sullivan (Author) - National Exposure Research Laboratory, United States
Marirosa Molina (Author) - National Exposure Research Laboratory, United States
Publication details: Water Research, Vol.101, pp.498-509
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.014
ISSN: 0043-1354
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449695002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences; Water Resources

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