Uptake and persistence of human associatedEnterococcusin the musselMytilus edulis:relevance for faecal pollution source tracking

Sources of faecal pollution in coastal recreational waters may be identified by analysing different host associated microorganisms or molecular markers. However, the microbial targets are often present at low numbers in moderately impacted waters, and often exhibit significant temporal and spatial variability in waters with fluctuating faecal loads. This patchy occurrence can limit successful detection of relevant targets in microbial source tracking studies. In this study, we explored the possibility for using the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) as a biosampler for accumulation of faecal bacteria relevant for microbial source tracking. Non-contaminated blue mussels were transferred to three coastal recreational waters affected by faecal pollution of unknown origin. Molecular markers associated with animal and human waste were targeted by PCR and compared in seawater and mussel samples. The results demonstrated that transplanted mussels in simple enclosures accumulated and retained elevated levels of molecular markers associated with different types of faecal pollution. The targets included a novel putative human associated E. coli subgroup B2 VIII clone, and animal and human associated markers in enterococci (esp, M19, M66, M90, and M91). Human (sewage) associated markers including esp and M66 were sometimes not detectable in seawater samples despite known wastewater contamination, whereas the markers were detectable in mussels. We suggest that transplanted mussels should be considered as potential biosamplers in studies focusing on identifying source of faecal pollution in low or moderately impacted recreational waters. Bioaccumulation of molecular markers in mussels for several days may represent the water quality better than traditional grab samples from the water column.

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Fecal pollution source tracking toolbox for identification, evaluation and characterization of fecal contamination in receiving urban surface waters and groundwater

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.155 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 538 ◽

pp. 38-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Ngoc Han Tran ◽

Karina Yew-Hoong Gin ◽

Huu Hao Ngo

Keyword(s):

Surface Waters ◽

Fecal Contamination ◽

Pollution Source ◽

Fecal Pollution ◽

Urban Surface ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Identification Evaluation

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Microbial source tracking to identify human and ruminant sources of faecal pollution in an ephemeral Florida river

Journal of Applied Microbiology ◽

10.1111/jam.12007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 113 (6) ◽

pp. 1396-1406 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

E. Chase ◽

J. Hunting ◽

C. Staley ◽

V.J. Harwood

Keyword(s):

Microbial Source Tracking ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Faecal Pollution

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POLLUTION SOURCE TRACKING IN SUB-WATERSHEDS OF THE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN, LOUISIANA

Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation ◽

10.2175/193864704784180523 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 2004 (7) ◽

pp. 182-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Bourgeois-Calvin ◽

S. Briuglio ◽

A. Rheams ◽

C. Dufrechou

Keyword(s):

Pollution Source ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Lake Pontchartrain

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Occurrence of human-associated Bacteroidetes genetic source tracking markers in raw and treated wastewater of municipal and domestic origin and comparison to standard and alternative indicators of faecal pollution

Water Research ◽

10.1016/j.watres.2015.12.031 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 90 ◽

pp. 265-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

R.E. Mayer ◽

S. Bofill-Mas ◽

L. Egle ◽

G.H. Reischer ◽

M. Schade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treated Wastewater ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Faecal Pollution ◽

Genetic Source

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Workshop Report: Developing Pollution Source Tracking for Recreational and Shellfish Waters

Environmental Forensics ◽

10.1080/15275920490887968 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 237-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

K. R. Pond ◽

R. Rangdale ◽

W. G. Meijer ◽

J. Brandao ◽

L. Falcāo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollution Source ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Workshop Report

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Bifidobacterial survival in surface water and implications for microbial source tracking

Canadian Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1139/w09-007 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 55 (6) ◽

pp. 642-647 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jakob R. Ottoson

Keyword(s):

Surface Water ◽

Screening Tool ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Faecal Coliforms ◽

Sewage Pollution ◽

Faecal Pollution ◽

Log Linear ◽

Linear Manner

Bifidobacteria are common in the intestines of humans and other animals. Sorbitol-fermenting Bifidobacteria (SFB) are associated with human faecal pollution. The ratio of total Bifidobacteria (TB) to SFB has been proposed to be a means for determining the source (human or animal) of faecal pollution. In this study, SFB were detected in all sewage samples (n = 39) and in 42% of samples of animal origin (n = 24): pig (5/6 positive), poultry (4/8), horse (1/4), and cow (0/6). The TB:SFB ratio was significantly higher in animal samples than in sewage samples (p < 0.01), with the exception of stored poultry manure, which had ratios (1.4–11) similar to the sewage samples (1–17). The lowest ratio in the other animal samples was 40 (pig). The TB:SFB ratio in sewage remained stable over time in surface water, and it may be a useful screening tool to determine the source of faecal pollution in surface water. Bifidobacteria died off in a log linear manner at 4 and 22 °C, with rates of disappearance of 0.16 and 0.58 log(days–1), respectively. Faecal coliforms (FC) disappeared more slowly (0.09 and 0.43 log(days–1), respectively). The FC:SFB ratio proved to be an inadequate tool for determining the age of sewage pollution.

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