Faecal sterols analysis for the identification of human faecal pollution in a non-sewered catchment

Daryle Sullivan; Peter R Brooks; Neil W Tindale; Susie Chapman; Warish Ahmed

doi:10.2166/wst.2010.227

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Faecal sterols analysis for the identification of human faecal pollution in a non-sewered catchment

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Faecal sterols analysis for the identification of human faecal pollution in a non-sewered catchment

Daryle Sullivan, Peter R Brooks, Neil W Tindale, Susie Chapman and Warish Ahmed

Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research, Vol.61(5), pp.1355-1361

2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2010.227

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Abstract

coprostanol

faecal pollution

faecal source tracking

faecal sterols

septic systems

In this study, faecal sterols were used to identify human faecal pollution in a non-sewered catchment in Southeast Queensland, Australia. In all, 36 water samples were collected from six sites on six occasions and the concentration of sterols were determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The stanols concentration in water samples generally increased with increased catchment runoff. After moderate rainfall, high coprostanols levels found in water samples indicated human faecal pollution via defective septic systems. In contrast, it appears that during dry weather human faecal pollution is not occurring in the study catchment. Sterol profiles also pointed to a cattle farm polluting during modest catchment runoff. The method used in this study was able to identify the sources of faecal pollution to the catchment due to rainfall.

Details

Title: Faecal sterols analysis for the identification of human faecal pollution in a non-sewered catchment
Authors: Daryle Sullivan (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Peter R Brooks (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Neil W Tindale (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Susie Chapman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Warish Ahmed (Author) - Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management
Publication details: Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research, Vol.61(5), pp.1355-1361
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date published: 2010
DOI: 10.2166/wst.2010.227
ISSN: 0273-1223
Copyright note: Copyright © IWA Publishing 2010. The definitive peer-reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Water Science and Technology Vol 61 (5), pp.1355-1361 (2010), DOI: 10.2166/wst.2010.227 and is available at www.iwapublishing.com
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Academic Support Unit; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449787702621
Output Type: Journal article

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