scholarly journals Comparison of Microbial and Chemical Source Tracking Markers To Identify Fecal Contamination Sources in the Humber River (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) and Associated Storm Water Outfalls

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (21) ◽  
pp. 6357-6366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachery R. Staley ◽  
Josey Grabuski ◽  
Ed Sverko ◽  
Thomas A. Edge
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Fecal Contamination ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Storm Water Runoff ◽  
Sewage Contamination ◽  
Humber River

ABSTRACTStorm water runoff is a major source of pollution, and understanding the components of storm water discharge is essential to remediation efforts and proper assessment of risks to human and ecosystem health. In this study, culturableEscherichia coliand ampicillin-resistantE. colilevels were quantified and microbial source tracking (MST) markers (including markers for generalBacteroidalesspp., human, ruminant/cow, gull, and dog) were detected in storm water outfalls and sites along the Humber River in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and enumerated via endpoint PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally, chemical source tracking (CST) markers specific for human wastewater (caffeine, carbamazepine, codeine, cotinine, acetaminophen, and acesulfame) were quantified. Human and gull fecal sources were detected at all sites, although concentrations of the human fecal marker were higher, particularly in outfalls (mean outfall concentrations of 4.22 log10copies, expressed as copy numbers [CN]/100 milliliters for human and 0.46 log10CN/100 milliliters for gull). Higher concentrations of caffeine, acetaminophen, acesulfame,E. coli, and the human fecal marker were indicative of greater raw sewage contamination at several sites (maximum concentrations of 34,800 ng/liter, 5,120 ng/liter, 9,720 ng/liter, 5.26 log10CFU/100 ml, and 7.65 log10CN/100 ml, respectively). These results indicate pervasive sewage contamination at storm water outfalls and throughout the Humber River, with multiple lines of evidence identifying Black Creek and two storm water outfalls with prominent sewage cross-connection problems requiring remediation. Limited data are available on specific sources of pollution in storm water, though our results indicate the value of using both MST and CST methodologies to more reliably assess sewage contamination in impacted watersheds.IMPORTANCEStorm water runoff is one of the most prominent non-point sources of biological and chemical contaminants which can potentially degrade water quality and pose risks to human and ecosystem health. Therefore, identifying fecal contamination in storm water runoff and outfalls is essential for remediation efforts to reduce risks to public health. This study employed multiple methods of identifying levels and sources of fecal contamination in both river and storm water outfall sites, evaluating the efficacy of using culture-based enumeration ofE. coli, molecular methods of determining the source(s) of contamination, and CST markers as indicators of fecal contamination. The results identified pervasive human sewage contamination in storm water outfalls and throughout an urban watershed and highlight the utility of using both MST and CST to identify raw sewage contamination.

scholarly journals Comparative microbial source tracking methods for identification of fecal contamination sources at Sunnyside Beach in the Toronto region area of concern

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachery R. Staley ◽  
Thomas A. Edge
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Fecal Contamination ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Microbial Source Tracking ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Pcr Marker ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Remediation Strategies ◽  
Humber River ◽  
Area Of Concern

Several beaches within the Toronto region area of concern have persistent issues with fecal contamination, causing a beach beneficial use impairment (BUI). In this study, Escherichia coli, including ampicillin-resistant strains, were enumerated via culturable and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods. Microbial source tracking (MST) markers (for general Bacteroidales, human, ruminant/cow, gull, and dog) were detected and enumerated via PCR and qPCR to identify sources of fecal contamination at Sunnyside Beach and in the Humber River. Human, cow, and dog markers had good host-specificity, while gull markers sometimes amplified a few other bird species. The ruminant endpoint PCR marker amplified a variety of other animal species rendering it less useful. Both human and gull fecal contamination were prevalent in the Humber River, while Sunnyside Beach was predominantly impacted by gull fecal contamination. Human sewage impacts were more prevalent in the lower Humber River, particularly in Black Creek. However, to reduce Sunnyside beach postings, reducing bird fecal contamination in the river and at the beach would be necessary. When there are high levels of E. coli throughout a beachshed, an MST toolbox approach can add value to discriminate source(s) of E. coli contamination and guide decisions relating to public health risk and remediation strategies.

scholarly journals Relevance of Bacteroidales and F-Specific RNA Bacteriophages for Efficient Fecal Contamination Tracking at the Level of a Catchment in France

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 5143-5152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aourell Mauffret ◽  
Marie-Paule Caprais ◽  
Michèle Gourmelon
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Fecal Contamination ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Sample Classification

ABSTRACTThe relevance of three host-associatedBacteroidalesmarkers (HF183, Rum2Bac, and Pig2Bac) and four F-specific RNA bacteriophage genogroups (FRNAPH I to IV) as microbial source tracking markers was assessed at the level of a catchment (Daoulas, France). They were monitored together with fecal indicators (Escherichia coliand enterococci) and chemophysical parameters (rainfall, temperature, salinity, pH, and turbidity) by monthly sampling over 2 years (n= 240 water samples) and one specific sampling following an accidental pig manure spillage (n= 5 samples). During the 2-year regular monitoring, levels ofE. coli, enterococci, total F-specific RNA bacteriophages, and the generalBacteroidalesmarker AllBac were strongly correlated with one another and with Rum2Bac (r= 0.37 to 0.50,P< 0.0001). Their correlations with HF183 and FRNAPH I and II were lower (r= 0.21 to 0.29,P< 0.001 toP< 0.0001), and HF183 and enterococci were associated rather than correlated (Fisher's exact test,P< 0.01). Rum2Bac and HF183 enabled 73% of water samples that had ≥2.7 log10most probably number (MPN) ofE. coli/100 ml to be classified. FRNAPH I and II enabled 33% of samples at this contamination level to be classified. FRNAPH I and II complemented the water sample classification obtained with the twoBacteroidalesmarkers by an additional 8%. Pig2Bac and FRNAPH III and IV were observed in a small number of samples (n= 0 to 4 of 245). The present study validates Rum2Bac and HF183 as relevant tools to trace fecal contamination originating from ruminant or human waste, respectively, at the level of a whole catchment.

Effects of field storage method on E. coli concentrations measured in storm water runoff

2016 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daren Harmel ◽  
Kevin Wagner ◽  
Emily Martin ◽  
Doug Smith ◽  
Pauline Wanjugi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Storm Water ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Storage Method ◽  
Storm Water Runoff

scholarly journals Effects of Rainfall onE. coliConcentrations at Door County, Wisconsin Beaches

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory T. Kleinheinz ◽  
Colleen M. McDermott ◽  
Sarah Hughes ◽  
Amanda Brown
Keyword(s):  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Storm Water Runoff ◽  
Water Conveyance ◽  
Beach Closures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Beach Water

Rainfall and its associated storm water runoff have been associated with transport of many pollutants into beach water. Fecal material, from a variety of animals (humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife), can wash into beach water following rainfall and result in microbial contamination of the beach. Many locales around the world issue pre-emptive beach closures associated with rainfall. This study looked at eight beaches located in Door County, Wisconsin, on Lake Michigan to determine the impact of rainfall onE. coliconcentrations in beach water. Water samples were collected from beach water and storm water discharge pipes during rainfall events of 5 mm in the previous 24 hours. Six of the eight beaches showed a significant association between rainfall and elevated beach waterE. coliconcentrations. The duration of the impact of rainfall on beach waterE. coliconcentrations was variable (immediate to 12 hours). Amount of rainfall in the days previous to the sampling did not have significant impact on theE. coliconcentrations measured in beach water. Presence of storm water conveyance pipes adjacent to the beach did not have a uniform impact on beach waterE. coliconcentrations. This study suggests that each beach needs to be examined on its own with regard to rain impacts onE coliconcentrations in beach water.

Long-Term Simulation of Pollutant Loads in Treatment Plant Effluents and Combined Sewer Overflows

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Durchschlag
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Combined Sewer Overflows ◽  
Storm Water Runoff ◽  
Combined Sewer ◽  
Hydraulic Load ◽  
Water Tanks

As a result of urbanization, the pollutant discharges from sources such as treatment plant effluents and polluted stormwaters are responsible for an unacceptable water quality in the receiving waters.In particular, combined sewer system overflows may produce great damage due to a shock effect. To reduce these combined sewer overflow discharges, the most frequently used method is to build stormwater storage tanks. During storm water runoff, the hydraulic load of waste water treatment plants increases with additional retention storage. This might decrease the treatment efficiency and thereby decrease the benefit of stormwater storage tanks. The dynamic dependence between transport, storage and treatment is usually not taken into account. This dependence must be accounted for when planning treatment plants and calculating storage capacities in order to minimize the total pollution load to the receiving waters. A numerical model will be described that enables the BOD discharges to be continuously calculated. The pollutant transport process within the networks and the purification process within the treatment plants are simulated. The results of the simulation illustrate; a statistical balance of the efficiency of stormwater tanks with the treatment plant capacity and to optimize the volume of storm water tanks and the operation of combined sewer systems and treatment plants.

A Storm Water Runoff Model For Open Windrow Composting Sites

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljubisa Kalaba ◽  
Bruce G. Wilson ◽  
Katy Haralampides
Keyword(s):  
Storm Water ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Storm Water Runoff ◽  
Windrow Composting ◽  
Runoff Model

The use of antibiotic resistance profiling as a means of tracing sources of fecal contamination in source waters

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-215
Author(s):  
M. S. Mthembu ◽  
P. T. Biyela ◽  
T. G. Djarova ◽  
A. K. Basson
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Fecal Contamination ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Intestinal Pathogens ◽  
Source Waters

Fecal contamination of source waters and its associated intestinal pathogens continues to pose risks to public health although the extent and effect of microbial contamination of source waters gets very little attention in designing treatment plants in most developing countries. Coliform counts give an indication of the overall bacterial contamination of water and thus its safety for human consumption. However, their presence fails to provide information about the source of fecal contamination which is vital to managing fecal contamination problems in surface waters. This study explored the use of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexing as means of differentiating E. coli isolates from different sources. A total of 322 E. coli isolates were obtained from municipal wastewater and from fecal samples from domestic and wild animals. Conventional culture methods and standard chemical and biochemical tests were used for isolation and identification of E. coli. Isolates were assayed against 10 antibiotics using the micro-dilution technique. The results obtained generated antibiotic resistance profiles which were used to statistically group the isolates into different subsets. Correct source classification was obtained for 60% of human-derived and 95% non-human-derived E. coli respectively. These results indicate the validity of the usefulness of MAR indexing as a method of bacterial source tracking.

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