Cryptosporidium Soil Extraction by Filtration/IMS/FA Compatible with USEPA Method 1623.1

Abstract

Core Ideas Cryptosporidium extraction from the soil matrix is absent in USEPA Method 1623.1. Our S3PEG soil extraction is compatible with USEPA Method 1623.1. S3PEG extraction meets quality control recoveries specified by USEPA Method 1623.1. Irradiated Cryptosporidium oocysts are suitable soil surrogate for live oocysts. Cryptosporidium, a parasitic pathogen, when present in drinking water supplies poses a significant risk to human health. The soil environment provides a critical linkage between Cryptosporidium parent material (bovine manure) and the surface and groundwaters used by susceptible human populations for drinking water. The lack of a USEPA published analysis for the determination of Cryptosporidium in soil is a barrier to standardized investigation of Cryptosporidium transport in soils. Methodologies have been published in the absence of a USEPA analysis, yet they lack sufficient detail and quality controls to be generally applicable. This study developed and evaluated a Cryptosporidium soil extraction method capable of producing an extracted fluid containing Cryptosporidium that could be purified and enumerated using USEPA Method 1623.1.