Journal article
Toolbox approaches using molecular markers and 16S rDNA amplicon datasets for the identification of fecal pollution in surface water
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.81(20), pp.7067-7077
2015
Abstract
In this study, host-associated molecular markers and bacterial 16S rDNA community analysis using high throughput sequencing were used to identify the sources of fecal pollution in environmental waters in Brisbane, Australia. A total of 92 fecal and composite wastewater samples were collected from different host groups (cat, cattle, dog, horse, human and kangaroo). In all, 18 water samples were collected from six sites (BR1-BR6) along the Brisbane River, Qld, Australia. Bacterial communities in fecal/wastewater and river water samples were sequenced. Water samples were also tested for the presence of avian- (GFD), cattle- (CowM3), horse-, and human- (HF183) associated molecular markers to provide multiple lines of evidence on the possible presence of fecal pollution associated with specific host(s). Among the 18 water samples tested, 83%, 33%, 17%, and 17% were real-time PCR positive for the GFD, HF183, CowM3, and horse markers, respectively. The potential sources of fecal pollution in water samples from the studied river using DNA sequencing tended to show relatively small contributions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (up to 13% of sequence reads). Contributions from other animal sources were rarely detected and were very small (< 3% of sequence reads). Source contributions determined via sequence analysis versus molecular markers showed variable agreement. Lack of relationships was also observed among fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), host-associated molecular markers, and 16S rDNA community analysis. Nonetheless, we show that bacterial community and host-associated molecular marker analysis can be combined to identify potential sources of fecal pollution in an urban river. This study is a proof of concept and based on the results, we recommend using bacterial community analysis (where possible) along with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection or quantification of host-associated molecular marker to provide information on the source(s) of fecal pollution in waterways.
Details
- Title
- Toolbox approaches using molecular markers and 16S rDNA amplicon datasets for the identification of fecal pollution in surface water
- Authors
- Warish Ahmed (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringC Staley (Author) - University of Minnesota, United StatesM J Sadowsky (Author) - University of Minnesota, United StatesP Gyawali (Author) - University of QueenslandJatinder P S Sidhu (Author) - University of QueenslandA Palmer (Author) - CSIRO Land and WaterD J Beale (Author) - CSIRO Land and WaterS Toze (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.81(20), pp.7067-7077
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1128/AEM.02032-15
- ISSN
- 0099-2240
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2015 American Society for Microbiology. Reproduced here in accordance with the publishers copyright policy.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449933202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
- Microbiology
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