<i>Escherichia coli</i> concentration, multiscale monitoring over the decade 2011–2021 in the Mekong River basin, Lao PDR

Abstract

Abstract. Bacterial pathogens in surface waters may threaten human health, especially in developing countries, where untreated surface water is often used for domestic needs. The objective of the long-term multiscale monitoring of Escherichia coli ([E. coli]) concentration in stream water, and that of associated variables (temperature (T), electrical conductance (EC), dissolved oxygen concentration ([DO]) and saturation (DO%), pH (pH), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), turbidity (Turb), and total suspended sediment concentration ([TSS])), was to identify the drivers of bacterial dissemination across tropical catchments. This data description paper presents three datasets (see “Data availability” section) collected at 31 sampling stations located within the Mekong River and its tributaries in Lao PDR (0.6–25 946 km2) from 2011 to 2021. The 1602 records have been used to describe the hydrological processes driving in-stream E. coli concentration during flood events, to understand the land-use impact on bacterial dissemination on small and large catchment scales, to relate stream water quality and diarrhea outbreaks, and to build numerical models. The database may be further used, e.g., to interpret new variables measured in the monitored catchments, or to map the health risk posed by fecal pathogens.

Village Settlements in Mountainous Tropical Areas, Hotspots of Fecal Contamination as Evidenced by Escherichia coli and Stanol Concentrations in Stormwater Pulses

“…We regularly verified that the bottles were free from E. coli. 56 2.5. Laboratory Analyses of Water Samples.…”

“…We measured [E. coli] with the standardized microplate method (ISO 9308-3). 56 A water subsample was incubated at four dilution rates (i.e., 1:2, 1:20, 1:200, and 1:2000) in a 96-well microplate (MUG/EC, Biokar Diagnostics) for 48 h at 44 °C. Ringers' Lactate solution was used for the dilutions, and one plate was used per sample.…”