scholarly journals Novel Bacteroides host strains for detection of human- and animal-specific bacteriophages in water

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Wicki ◽  
Adrian Auckenthaler ◽  
Richard Felleisen ◽  
Marcel Tanner ◽  
Andreas Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Spring Water ◽  
Animal Waste ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Bacteroides Thetaiotaomicron ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Specific Host ◽  
Geographic Regions ◽  
Animal Strains ◽  
Host Strains

Bacteriophages active against specific Bacteroides host strains were shown to be suitable for detection of human faecal pollution. However, the practical application of this finding is limited because some specific host strains were restricted to certain geographic regions. In this study, novel Bacteroides host strains were isolated that discriminate human and animal faecal pollution in Switzerland. Two strains specific for bacteriophages present in human faecal contamination and three strains specific for bacteriophages indicating animal faecal contamination were evaluated. Bacteriophages infecting human strains were exclusively found in human wastewater, whereas animal strains detected bacteriophages only in animal waste. The newly isolated host strains could be used to determine the source of surface and spring water faecal contamination in field situations. Applying the newly isolated host Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron ARABA 84 for detection of bacteriophages allowed the detection of human faecal contamination in spring water.

scholarly journals Assessment of source tracking methods for application in spring water

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Wicki ◽  
Adrian Auckenthaler ◽  
Richard Felleisen ◽  
Fatma Karabulut ◽  
Isabel Niederhauser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Microbial Source Tracking ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Animal Waste ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Host Strains

For discriminating between human and animal faecal contamination in water, microbial source tracking (MST) approaches using different indicators have been employed. In the current study, a range of 10 such MST indicators described in the scientific literature were comparatively assessed. Bacteriophages infecting host strains of Bacteroides (GA-17, GB-124 and ARABA 84) as well as sorbitol-fermenting bifidobacteria proved useful for indicating human faecal contamination while Rhodococcus coprophilus was associated with animal-derived faecal contamination. These potential source indicators were present in samples of faecal origin, i.e. either in human wastewater or animal waste, from many different regions in Switzerland and therefore showed a geographic stability. In addition, the MST indicators were abundant in surface water and were even sensitive enough to detect faecal contamination in spring water from two study areas in Switzerland. This is the first study that has compared and successfully applied MST methods in spring water.

scholarly journals Contrasting occurrence of Chromobacterium violaceum in tropical drinking water springs of Uganda

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Byamukama ◽  
Frank Kansiime ◽  
Andreas H. Farnleitner ◽  
Martina Burtscher ◽  
Robert L. Mach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Chromobacterium Violaceum ◽  
Sampling Occasion ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Pollution Indicators ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Water Springs ◽  
Faecal Indicators

Occurrence of Chromobacterium violaceum in six protected drinking water springs in Uganda was investigated. C. violaceum showed a contrasting occurrence, which was independent of human impact as assessed by faecal pollution indicators. It was isolated from two springs (S1 and S2) that were located close to each other (3 km) but not in the rest. In S1 C. violaceum was continuously detected, in concentrations ranging from 6 to 270 cfu 100 ml−1, while in S2 it was detected on only one sampling occasion. C. violaceum was never detected in the investigated upper soil layers (down to 15 cm) in the immediate surroundings (50 m radius) of the springs, despite continued isolation of faecal indicators. The results of the study indicate that C. violaceum may not be ubiquitous in spring water, but could occur in significant numbers in particular potable groundwaters as an autochthonous member.

Isolation of bacteriophage host strains ofBacteroidesspecies suitable for tracking sources of animal faecal pollution in water

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1622-1631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Gómez-Doñate ◽  
Andrey Payán ◽  
Ivania Cortés ◽  
Anicet R. Blanch ◽  
Francisco Lucena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Host Strains

scholarly journals The spectral absorption coefficient at 254 nm as a real-time early warning proxy for detecting faecal pollution events at alpine karst water resources

2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 1898-1906 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stadler ◽  
E. Klock ◽  
P. Skritek ◽  
R. L. Mach ◽  
W. Zerobin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Data Communication ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Karst Water ◽  
Spectral Absorption ◽  
Sampling Device ◽  
Spectral Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Faecal Pollution

Because spring water quality from alpine karst aquifers can change very rapidly during event situations, water abstraction management has to be performed in near real-time. Four summer events (2005–2008) at alpine karst springs were investigated in detail in order to evaluate the spectral absorption coefficient at 254 nm (SAC254) as a real-time early warning proxy for faecal pollution. For the investigation Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) Satellite-based data communication between portable hydrometeorological measuring stations and an automated microbiological sampling device was used. The method for event triggered microbial sampling and analyzing was already established and described in a previous paper. Data analysis including on-line event characterisation (i.e. precipitation, discharge, turbidity, SAC254) and comprehensive E. coli determination (n>800) indicated that SAC254 is a useful early warning proxy. Irrespective of the studied event situations SAC254 always increased 3 to 6 hours earlier than the onset of faecal pollution, featuring different correlation phases. Furthermore, it seems also possible to use SAC254 as a real-time proxy parameter for estimating the extent of faecal pollution after establishing specific spring and event-type calibrations that take into consideration the variability of the occurrence and the transferability of faecal material It should be highlighted that diffuse faecal pollution from wildlife and live stock sources was responsible for spring water contamination at the investigated catchments. In this respect, the SAC254 can also provide useful information to support microbial source tracking efforts where different situations of infiltration have to be investigated.

Determination of faecal pollutants in Torrens and Patawalonga catchment waters in South Australia using faecal sterols

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Suprihatin ◽  
H. Fallowfield ◽  
R. Bentham ◽  
N. Cromar
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Sources Of Pollution ◽  
Steroid Profiles ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Faecal Sterols

This research investigated faecal pollution by sterol profiling in two Adelaide metropolitan catchments in winter 2000 and summer 2001. Water was sampled from five sites on the River Torrens and two sites on Patawalonga river catchment. The steroids detected were coprostanol, epicoprostanol, cholesterol, cholestanol, stigmasterol, betasitosterol, and stigmastanol. The concentrations range from 5 ng/L (of coprostanol) to 34 μmg/L (of stigmasterol), with cholesterol detected more frequently at relatively high concentrations (approximately 2 μmg/L). Sterol profiling suggested two sites on two occasions may have been impacted by human faecal contamination. Other steroid profiles suggested that sources of pollution consistently included dogs and birds. The steroid concentrations in the Torrens catchment were higher in winter, however, this was not observed in the Patawalonga catchment.

Discriminating faecal pollution: a case study of stormwater entering Port Phillip Bay, Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Leeming ◽  
N. Bate ◽  
R. Hewlett ◽  
P. D. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Indicators ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Thermotolerant Coliforms ◽  
Environment Protection Authority ◽  
Faecal Sterols

This investigation was designed to provide preliminary information to the Environment Protection Authority concerning the input of faecal matter to stormwater drains in the Rippleside area of Geelong, Victoria. Results derived from the combined use of sterol biomarkers (e.g. coprostanol and 24-ethylcoprostanol) and four sub-groups of bacterial indicators (e.g. thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, faecal streptococci and enterococci) indicated that during wet weather, all sites sampled were affected by significant human faecal contamination. Ratios of coprostanol to bacterial indicators were similar to those for samples collected from nearby sewer mains. During dry weather, there were still severely elevated levels of faecal contamination based on bacterial indicators, but correspondingly low concentrations of faecal sterols suggesting minimal human or herbivore faecal contamination. The origin of the majority of the faecal pollution in dry weather therefore remains to be fully explained. It is clear from this and related studies that the combined measurement of faecal sterols and bacterial indicators can greatly assist distinguishing sources of faecal pollution. It is also shown for aquatic environments that the measurement of coprostanol or other single indicators alone, is inadequate to fully discern faecal contamination from human sources.

scholarly journals Identifying Sources of Faecal Contamination in a Small Urban Stream Catchment: A Multiparametric Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam J. Reynolds ◽  
Niamh A. Martin ◽  
Laura Sala-Comorera ◽  
Kevin Callanan ◽  
Padraig Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Faecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Bathing Waters

Small urban streams discharging in the proximity of bathing waters may significantly contribute to the deterioration of water quality, yet their impact may be overlooked. This study focuses on the Elm Park stream in the city of Dublin that is subject to faecal contamination by unidentified sources. The aim of the study was to identify a minimum number of “sentinel” sampling stations in an urban catchment that would provide the maximum amount of information regarding faecal pollution in the catchment. Thus, high-resolution sampling within the catchment was carried out over the course of 1 year at 11 stations. Faecal indicator bacteria were enumerated and microbial source tracking (MST) was employed to evaluate human pollution. In addition, ammonium, total oxidised nitrogen, and phosphorus levels were monitored to determine if these correlated with faecal indicator and the HF183 MST marker. In addition, the effect of severe weather events on water quality was assessed using automated sampling at one of the identified “sentinel” stations during baseflow and high flow conditions over a 24-h period. Our results show that this urban stream is at times highly contaminated by point source faecal pollution and that human faecal pollution is pervasive in the catchment. Correlations between ammonium concentrations and faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) as well as the human MST marker were observed during the study. Cluster analysis identified four “sentinel” stations that provide sufficient information on faecal pollution in the stream, thus reducing the geographical complexity of the catchment. Furthermore, ammonium levels strongly correlated with FIB and the human HF183 MST marker under high flow conditions at key “sentinel” stations. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of pairing MST, faecal indicators, and ammonium monitoring to identify “sentinel” stations that could be more rapidly assessed using real-time ammonium readouts to assess remediation efforts.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Shellfish Quality in Terms of Faecal Contamination at Blakeney Point, East Anglia, UK

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 3192
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Ball ◽  
Esmaeil Shahsavari ◽  
Leadin S. Khudur ◽  
Arturo Aburto-Medina ◽  
David J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
East Anglia ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Sterol Profile

Relatively high E. coli and Faecal Streptococci (FS) numbers have been reported in the waters surrounding Blakeney Point, East Anglia, UK, an area containing significant shellfishery industries including mussels and cockles, despite the implementation of development works aimed at reducing residual contamination problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of using bacterial analyses and sterol profiling to assess the current levels and source of faecal pollution at Blakeney Point. No evidence of significant human faecal contamination of water in and around Blakeney Point could be found using either traditional microbiological analyses or sterol profile analysis. The presence of significant quantities of sitosterol, however, suggests that faecal contamination of water from birds does occur but at the concentration detected would not affect water quality. Analysis of cockles and mussels taken from the area show that negligible levels of coprostanol were present, confirming that faecal pollution was not causing any contamination issues. Apart from cholesterol, brassicasterol, an algal biomarker, as expected was dominant in shellfish flesh. The results confirm that current water treatment processes are successful in ensuring water quality at Blakeney Point and that a combination of microbial testing with sterol profile analysis confirmed that low microbial concentrations of faecal contaminants present in and around Blakeney Point most probably originate from migratory and/or resident bird species.

Library-dependent and library-independent microbial source tracking to identify spatial variation in faecal contamination sources along a Lake Ontario beach (Ontario, Canada)

2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 719-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Edge ◽  
S. Hill ◽  
P. Seto ◽  
J. Marsalek
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Microbial Source Tracking ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Humber River

Multiple microbial source tracking methods were applied to investigate spatial variation in faecal pollution sources impacting a 1.7 km freshwater beach on Lake Ontario (Canada). The highest E. coli concentrations measured in the study area were from interstitial sand pore water at Sunnyside Beach, reaching 2.6 × 106 CFU/100 ml. These E. coli concentrations exceeded those in the nearby Humber River and Black Creek, which are impacted by combined sewer overflows containing municipal wastewater and by stormwater conveying washoff from the urban area. Library-independent Bacteroidales HF183 analyses identified the more frequent occurrence of municipal wastewater contamination in the Humber River and at a Sunnyside Beach location closest to the mouth of the river. Library-dependent E. coli antibiotic resistance and rep-PCR DNA fingerprinting analyses identified the more frequent occurrence of bird faecal contamination at Sunnyside Beach locations away from the river mouth. These microbial source tracking results raise caution about managing beaches with multiple sources of contamination as a single entity without considering spatial variability in faecal pollution sources and the need for more localized beach management practices.

scholarly journals Are Sterols Useful for the Identification of Sources of Faecal Contamination in Shellfish? A Case Study

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3076
Author(s):  
Styliano Florini ◽  
Esmaeil Shahsavari ◽  
Arturo Aburto-Medina ◽  
Leadin S. Khudur ◽  
Stephen M. Mudge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
High Population ◽  
Faecal Material ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Sterol Profile ◽  
The Uk ◽  
A Site

This work aimed to identify the major source(s) of faecal pollution impacting Salcott Creek oyster fisheries in the UK through the examination of the sterol profiles. The concentration of the major sewage biomarker, coprostanol, in water overlying the oysters varied between 0.01 µg L−1 and 1.20 µg L−1. The coprostanol/epicoprostanol ratio ranged from 1.32 (September) to 33.25 (February), suggesting that human sewage represents the key input of faecal material into the estuary. However, a correlation between the sterol profile of water above the oysters with that of water that enters from Tiptree Sewage Treatment Works (r = 0.82), and a sample from a site (Quinces Corner) observed to have a high population of Brent geese (r = 0.82), suggests that both sources contribute to the faecal pollution affecting the oysters. In identifying these key faecal inputs, sterol profiling has allowed targeted management practices to be employed to ensure that oyster quality is optimised.

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