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Overview of Microbial Source Tracking Methods Targeting Human Fecal Pollution Sources
Citation:
Shanks, O., H. Green, A. Korajkic, AND K. Field. Overview of Microbial Source Tracking Methods Targeting Human Fecal Pollution Sources. Chapter 3, Cindy H. Nakatsu, Robert V. Miller, Suresh D. Pillai (ed.), Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 4th Edition. American Society for Microbiology. ASM Press, Washington, DC, , 3.4.3-1 - 3.4.3-8, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
Exposure to human fecal waste can be a public health risk dueto the presence of human pathogens. Human fecal pollutioncan be introduced into water resources from damagedsewer lines, faulty septic systems, combined sewer overflows,illicit dumping activities, and even recreational bathers.Ensuring public safety and adequate water quality thereforerequires methods that can confirm the presence or absenceas well as the concentration of human fecal pollution sources.This chapter provides an overview of human-associated fecalsource identification methods commonly used to assess waterquality. In addition to describing various methods, this chapteralso discusses factors to consider for method selection.
