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PROOF OF CONCEPT DEMONSTRATION FOR NEAR REAL-TIME IN SITU DETECTION OF FECAL CONTAMINATION IN FRESH AND MARINE WATERS
Impact/Purpose:
GENERIC RARE OBJECTIVE: The Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) provides the Regions with a mechanism to address near term research needs through an ORD Laboratory/Center. Any applied research project that a Region identifies and that an ORD laboratory has the expertise to carry out will be considered if the three following conditions are met: 1) projects must be funded through an ORD Laboratory or Center, 2) the project must fall within with defined mission of the selected ORD Laboratory/Center, and 3) proposals must be research-oriented.
Description:
A key component of monitoring is the detection and timely reporting of concentrations of bacteria that are associated with human gastroenteritis and indicate fecal contamination. Current monitoring methods require incubation periods between 24 hours and 3 days before public health decisions can be made. The development of new in situ instruments with the capability for rapid, near real-time, quantification of bacterial densities would provide a more effective and better warning system for both environmental managers and the public. This research performed a proof-of-concept demonstration for making near real-time in situ measurements of fecal contamination. The research represents progress towards commercial development of a rapid in situ tool for monitoring fecal contamination ot beaches and other recreational venues.