Combining targeted sampling and fluorometry to identify human fecal contamination in a freshwater creek

Hartel, Peter G.; Rodgers, Karen; Moody, Gwyneth L.; Hemmings, Sarah; Fisher, Jared A.; McDonald, Jennifer

doi:10.2166/wh.2007.004

Cited by 32 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…2007b), very high levels of background fluorescence from DOM could have made differentiation difficult in some instances. Hartel et al . (2008) reported high DOM fluorescence levels as the cause of false positive OB fluorescence signals for a freshwater creek in Georgia, USA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tracking human faecal contamination in tropical reservoirs in Puerto Rico

et al. 2008

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Using a combination of chemical and microbiological (culture-dependent and -independent) approaches, sources of human faecal contamination were identified in two water reservoirs in Puerto Rico -Guajataca and La Plata. Fluorescence from optical brighteners (OB) -commonly found in laundry detergents -was used as an indicator of contamination from septic systems and other household discharges. Traditional indicators of faecal contamination (e.g. Escherichia coli; faecal enterococci) were enumerated, and human faecal contamination was confirmed through detection of Bifidobacterium adolescentis utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analyses. For Guajataca Reservoir, four of 19 sampling sites (21%) were positive for the presence of B. adolescentis under baseflow conditions. The OB fluorescence data suggested that the most likely source for three of these sites was residential, whereas the source of contamination at the remaining site, although of human origin, was probably non-residential. B. adolescentis was present in 83% (19 of 23) of the sampling sites in La Plata. The La Plata sources were more difficult to identify because samples were taken under stormflow conditions, although the presence of OB fluorescence suggested a residential origin in a number of instances. OB fluorescence and traditional bacterial indicators of faecal contamination produced a number of false positive and negative findings for both reservoirs, pointing to the importance of understanding the limitations of these tools for tropical freshwater systems. The results of this study should be useful in developing a weight-of-evidence approach for the identification of potential sources and extent of human faecal contamination in similar tropical reservoirs, a necessary step in the development of management plans to reduce or eliminate these sources.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2006; Hartel et al . 2007a,b, 2008). To address potential problems with background fluorescence, we also determined fluorescence loss upon irradiation of the samples at 366 nm, as suggested by Hartel et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracking human faecal contamination in tropical reservoirs in Puerto Rico

et al. 2008

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“…Aeromonads have thus been recovered from biofilm in drinking-water distribution systems (Chauret et al, 2001; September et al, 2007), even when water supply is chlorinated (Fernández et al, 2000). …”

Section: Biofilm Formation In Aeromonasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aeromonads have been co-isolated with one or more representatives of other genera from natural freshwater and seawater biofilms (Stine et al, 2003; September et al, 2007; Balasubramanian et al, 2012; Farkas et al, 2012; Marti et al, 2014). Aeromonas spp.…”

Section: Biofilm Formation In Aeromonasmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Social Life of Aeromonas through Biofilm and Quorum Sensing Systems

2017

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Bacteria of the genus Aeromonas display multicellular behaviors herein referred to as “social life”. Since the 1990s, interest has grown in cell-to-cell communication through quorum sensing signals and biofilm formation. As they are interconnected, these two self-organizing systems deserve to be considered together for a fresh perspective on the natural history and lifestyles of aeromonads. In this review, we focus on the multicellular behaviors of Aeromonas, i.e., its social life. First, we review and discuss the available knowledge at the molecular and cellular levels for biofilm and quorum sensing. We then discuss the complex, subtle, and nested interconnections between the two systems. Finally, we focus on the aeromonad multicellular coordinated behaviors involved in heterotrophy and virulence that represent technological opportunities and applied research challenges.

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“…Diesel fuel and motor oil also fluoresce and water contaminated with these chemicals can travel through underground aquifers and then be taken up into private water systems. There is also a variety or naturally occurring organic compounds that can fluoresce Hartel et al, 2008).…”

Section: Fluorometry Positive Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between fecal indicator bacteria prevalence and demographic data in private water supplies in Virginia

Smith

Krometis

Hagedorn

et al. 2014

Journal of Water and Health

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Over 1.7 million Virginians rely on private water systems to supply household water. The heaviest reliance on these systems occurs in rural areas, which are often underserved in terms of financial resources and access to environmental health education. As the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) does not regulate private water systems, it is the sole responsibility of the homeowner to maintain and monitor these systems.Previous limited studies indicate that microbial contamination of drinking water from private wells and springs is far from uncommon, ranging from 10% to 68%, depending on type of organism and geological region. With the exception of one thirtyyear old government study on rural water supplies, there have been no documented investigations of links between private system water contamination and household demographic characteristics, making the design of effective public health interventions, very difficult.The goal of the present study is to identify potential associations between concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (e.g. coliforms, E. coli) in 831 samples collected at the point-of-use in homes with private water supply systems and homeowner-provided demographic data (e.g. homeowner age, household income, education, water quality perception). Household income and the education of the perceived head of household were determined to have an association with bacteria concentrations. However, when a model was developed to evaluate strong associations between total coliform presence and potential predictors, no demographic parameters were deemed significant enough to be included in the final model. Of the 831 samples tested, 349 (42%) of samples tested positive for total coliform and 55 (6.6%) tested positive for E. coli contamination. Chemical and microbial source tracking efforts using fluorometry and qPCR suggested possible E. coli contamination from human septage in 21 cases. The findings of this research can ultimately aid in determining effective strategies for public health intervention and gain a better understanding of interactions between demographic data and private system water quality.iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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Combining targeted sampling and fluorometry to identify human fecal contamination in a freshwater creek

Cited by 32 publications

References 19 publications

Tracking human faecal contamination in tropical reservoirs in Puerto Rico

Tracking human faecal contamination in tropical reservoirs in Puerto Rico

The Social Life of Aeromonas through Biofilm and Quorum Sensing Systems

Associations between fecal indicator bacteria prevalence and demographic data in private water supplies in Virginia

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