Journal article
Evidence of septic system failure determined by a bacterial biochemical fingerprinting method
Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol.98(4), pp.910-920
2005
Abstract
To provide evidence of septic system failure by comparing two faecal indicator bacteria, enterococci and Escherichia coli, from defective septic tanks and adjacent creeks. A biochemical fingerprinting method was used to type and compare enterococci and E. coli strains from 39 septic tanks with creek water samples. Phenotypic diversity of enterococci (0.5±0.3) and E. coli (0.5±0.3) in septic tanks were significantly lower than those found in water samples. Among 1072 enterococci isolates tested from septic tanks, 203 biochemical phenotypes (BPTs) were found of which 98 BPTs from 33 septic tanks were identical to several water samples. Similarly, among 621 E. coli isolates tested from septic tanks, 159 BPTs were found of which 53 BPTs from 26 septic tanks were also identical to water samples. The number of the latter bacteria was significantly (P = 0.01) higher in water samples collected from downstream compared with that of upstream in the study area. A high similarity between the populations of both indicator bacteria was also found between defective septic tanks and downstream water samples further indicating the contamination of both creeks by defective septic systems. Biochemical fingerprinting of faecal indicator bacteria is a useful and rapid method to provide direct evidence for septic system failure. Combination of both faecal indicator bacteria (enterococci and E. coli) provides a better judgement of the performance of a septic system. This study is the first to provide direct evidence of septic system failure by identifying the presence of specific bacterial types in septic tanks and surface waters. Based on our findings, we suggest that the performance evaluation of a septic system should be accompanied by direct analysis of faecal indicator bacteria.
Details
- Title
- Evidence of septic system failure determined by a bacterial biochemical fingerprinting method
- Authors
- Warish Ahmed (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationRonald J Neller (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationMohammad Katouli (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol.98(4), pp.910-920
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Date published
- 2005
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02522.x
- ISSN
- 1364-5072
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448718002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
- Microbiology
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