scholarly journals Persistence of fecal indicator bacteria and associated genetic markers from wastewater treatment plant effluents in freshwater microcosms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice C. Chern ◽  
Larry Wymer ◽  
Kristen Brenner ◽  
Kevin Oshima ◽  
Richard A. Haugland
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Decay Rate ◽  
Genetic Marker ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Rate Constants ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Fecal Indicator

Abstract Limited information exists on the environmental persistence of genetic markers for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in treated wastewaters. Here, the decay rate constants of culturable cells and genetic markers for four diverse groups of FIBs, such as enterococci, Clostridium, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides, were investigated in freshwater microcosms seeded with disinfected and non-disinfected secondary-treated wastewaters. Decay rate constants of genetic markers and culturable cells varied significantly among the different FIB groups. Water temperatures (winter vs. fall/spring/summer) significantly affected the decay of all genetic marker and cell types; however, genetic marker decay were not found to be significantly different in disinfected (chlorination/ultraviolet) and non-disinfected wastewater-seeded microcosms or, for example, lake- and river-receiving waters. No evidence was seen that decay rate constants of FIB genetic markers from treated wastewater were substantially different from those observed in similar, previously reported microcosm studies using raw sewage. Unexpected relationships between decay rate constants of genetic markers and culturable cells of Bacteroides were observed. Results suggest that decay rate constants of FIB genetic markers determined from other studies may be applicable to treated wastewaters. Results of this study should be informative for ongoing efforts to determine the persistence of FIB genetic markers relative to surviving pathogens after wastewater treatment.

scholarly journals Influence of wastewater disinfection on densities of culturable fecal indicator bacteria and genetic markers

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice C. Chern ◽  
Kristen Brenner ◽  
Larry Wymer ◽  
Richard A. Haugland
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Marker ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
The Us ◽  
Wastewater Disinfection ◽  
Different Seasons

The US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a rapid alternative analytical method for monitoring recreational water quality at beaches. For qPCR to be considered for other Clean Water Act purposes, such as inclusion in discharge permits and use in Total Maximum Daily Load calculations, it is necessary to understand how qPCR detectable genetic markers are influenced by wastewater disinfection. This study investigated genetic markers for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Clostridium spp., Bacteroides, total Bacteroidales, as well as the human-associated Bacteroides markers, HF183 and HumM2, to determine which, if any, were influenced by disinfection (chlorination or ultraviolet light) of effluents from secondary wastewater treatment in different seasons. The effects of disinfection on culturable enterococci, E. coli, Bacteroides, and C. perfringens were also compared to their associated genetic markers. Disinfection of secondary treatment effluents significantly reduced culturable fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) but not genetic marker densities. No significant differences were observed in the responses of FIB culture and genetic marker densities to type of disinfection (chlorination vs UV) or season. Results of this study provide evidence that qPCR may not be suitable for monitoring efficacy of wastewater disinfection on the inactivation of bacterial pathogens.

scholarly journals Decay of Fecal Indicator Bacterial Populations and Bovine-Associated Source-Tracking Markers in Freshly Deposited Cow Pats

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelumola Oladeinde ◽  
Thomas Bohrmann ◽  
Kelvin Wong ◽  
S. T. Purucker ◽  
Ken Bradshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decay Rate ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Decay Dynamic

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the survival of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and microbial source-tracking (MST) markers is critical to developing pathogen fate and transport models. Although pathogen survival in water microcosms and manure-amended soils is well documented, little is known about their survival in intact cow pats deposited on pastures. We conducted a study to determine decay rates of fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coliand enterococci) and bovine-associated MST markers (CowM3, Rum-2-bac, and GenBac) in 18 freshly deposited cattle feces from three farms in northern Georgia. Samples were randomly assigned to shaded or unshaded treatment in order to determine the effects of sunlight, moisture, and temperature on decay rates. A general linear model (GLM) framework was used to determine decay rates. Shading significantly decreased the decay rate of theE. colipopulation (P< 0.0001), with a rate of −0.176 day−1for the shaded treatment and −0.297 day−1for the unshaded treatment. Shading had no significant effect on decay rates of enterococci, CowM3, Rum-2-bac, and GenBac (P> 0.05). In addition,E. colipopulations showed a significant growth rate (0.881 day−1) in the unshaded samples during the first 5 days after deposition. UV-B was the most important parameter explaining the decay rate ofE. colipopulations. A comparison of the decay behaviors among all markers indicated that enterococcus concentrations exhibit a better correlation with the MST markers thanE. coliconcentrations. Our results indicate that bovine-associated MST markers can survive in cow pats for at least 1 month after excretion, and although their decay dynamic differs from the decay dynamic ofE. colipopulations, they seem to be reliable markers to use in combination with enterococci to monitor fecal pollution from pasture lands.

scholarly journals Effect of freshwater sediment characteristics on the persistence of fecal indicator bacteria and genetic markers within a Southern California watershed

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amity G. Zimmer-Faust ◽  
Vanessa Thulsiraj ◽  
Catalina Marambio-Jones ◽  
Yiping Cao ◽  
John F. Griffith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Freshwater Sediment ◽  
Sediment Characteristics ◽  
Fecal Indicator

scholarly journals Fecal Indicator Bacteria Transport from Watersheds with Differing Wastewater Technologies and Septic System Densities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 6525
Author(s):  
Guy Iverson ◽  
Christa Sanderford ◽  
Charles P. Humphrey ◽  
J. Randall Etheridge ◽  
Timothy Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Septic Systems ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
Septic System ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Bacteria Transport ◽  
Density Threshold

Wastewater contains elevated concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). The type of wastewater treatment technology and septic system density may influence the FIB concentration and exports at the watershed scale. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of FIB concentrations and exports from watersheds served by conventional septic (CS) systems, sand filter (SF) septic systems, and a municipal sewer (SEW) system. Seven watersheds (3 CS, 3 SF, and 1 SEW) were monitored to quantify FIB concentration and export monthly from April 2015 to March 2016. The type of wastewater treatment did not yield significant differences in FIB concentration or exports when pooling watersheds using similar wastewater treatment. Watersheds with the highest septic densities (approximately 0.4 systems ha−1) contained greater FIB concentrations and exports than watersheds with the lowest (approximately 0.1–0.2 systems ha−1), but only FIB concentrations significantly differed. These findings suggest that when the septic system density exceeds 0.4 systems ha−1, water quality degradation from septic leachate may be observable at the watershed scale, especially in watersheds dominated by residential development. More research is recommended to determine if this density threshold is similar for other water pollutants and/or in watersheds with differing hydrogeological, land use, and wastewater characteristics.

Removal of indicator bacteria, human enteric viruses, Giardia cysts, and Cryptosporidium oocysts at a large wastewater primary treatment facility

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Payment ◽  
Robert Plante ◽  
Patrick Cejka
Keyword(s):  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Enteric Viruses ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Facility ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Fecal Streptococci ◽  
Human Enteric Viruses ◽  
Giardia Cysts

Pathogens and fecal indicator bacteria occurrence and removal were studied for a period of 6 months at the Montreal Urban Community wastewater treatment facility. With a capacity of about 7.6 million cubic metres per day (two billion U.S. gallons per day), it is the largest primary physico-chemical treatment plant in America. The plant discharges a nondisinfected effluent containing about 20 mg/L of suspended matter and 0.5 mg/L of total phosphorus on the basis of average annual concentrations. BDO5 (annual mean) is 75 mg/L before treatment and 32 mg/L after treatment. Samples were collected for a period of 6 months, and they demonstrated that the plant was not efficient at removing indicator bacteria and the pathogens tested. Fecal coliforms were the most numerous of the indicator bacteria and their removal averaged 25%. Fecal streptococci removal was 29%, while Escherichia coli removal was 12%. In untreated sewage, fecal coliforms, E. coli, and human enteric viruses were more numerous in summer and early autumn. Fecal streptococci counts remained relatively similar throughout the period. Clostridium perfringens removal averaged 51%. Giardia cysts levels were not markedly different throughout the study period, and 76% of the cysts were removed by treatment. Cryptosporidium oocyst counts were erratic, probably due to the methods, and removal was 27%. Human enteric viruses were detected in all samples of raw and treated wastewater with no removal observed (0%). Overall, the plant did not perform well for the removal of fecal indicator bacteria, human enteric viruses, or parasite cysts. Supplementary treatment and disinfection were recommended to protect public health. Various alternatives are being evaluated.

scholarly journals Distribution of Genetic Marker Concentrations for Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Sewage and Animal Feces

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 4225-4232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Kelty ◽  
Manju Varma ◽  
Mano Sivaganesan ◽  
Richard A. Haugland ◽  
Orin C. Shanks
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Animal Feces

ABSTRACTVery little is known about the density and distribution of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) genetic markers measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in fecal pollution sources. Before qPCR-based FIB technologies can be applied to waste management and public health risk applications, it is vital to characterize the concentrations of these genetic markers in pollution sources (i.e., untreated wastewater and animal feces). We report the distribution of rRNA genetic markers for several general FIB groups, includingClostridiumspp.,Escherichia coli, enterococci, andBacteroidales, as determined by qPCR on reference collections consisting of 54 primary influent sewage samples collected from treatment facilities across the United States and fecal samples representing 20 different animal species. Based on raw sewage sample collection data, individual FIB genetic markers exhibited a remarkable similarity in concentration estimates from locations across the United States ranging from Hawaii to Florida. However, there was no significant correlation between genetic markers for most FIB combinations (P> 0.05). In addition, large differences (up to 5 log10copies) in the abundance of FIB genetic markers were observed between animal species, emphasizing the importance of indicator microorganism selection and animal source contribution for future FIB applications.

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