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BACTERIA SOURCE TRACKING AND HOST SPECIES SPECIFICITY ANALYSIS
Citation:
Simpson*, J M. BACTERIA SOURCE TRACKING AND HOST SPECIES SPECIFICITY ANALYSIS. Presented at International Workshop on Methods of Tracing Sources of Fecal Contamination in Bathing and Shelfish Waters, University of Surrey, UK, 1/12-13/2004.
Description:
Point and non-point pollution sources of fecal pollution on a watershed adversely impact the quality of drinking source waters and recreational waters. States are required to develop total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and devise best management practices (BMPs) to reduce the pollutant inputs from the sources. Fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens are among the most common biological contaminants found in source and recreational waters. Sensitive and reliable methods for tracking fecal microorganisms to their source(s) are needed to assist in development of TMDLs and BMPs.
The presence of fecal bacteria does not always indicate human fecal input. Therefore it is necessary to distinguish among fecal sources (i.e. livestock, wildlife, pets, wastewater). However, it is very difficult to determine the origin of biological water contamination using standard physiologic and biochemical characteristics of indicator bacteria. To avoid these limitations we are applying DNA based techniques using 16S rDNA genes for detecting and identifying fecal indicator microorganisms in water without the need for cultivation. Signature molecules such as the 16S rDNA gene may also be used to differentiate among types of contaminant sources to help implement new regulation standards and to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial actions.
The goals of this project were to identify and characterize watershed bacterial community members of fecal origin using several molecular techniques, and to use this information to develop an integrated system for screening fecal bacteria to differentiate among animal sources of contamination. Fecal samples from animals of agricultural significance have been evaluated for similarities in fecal bacteria populations and a DNA fingerprint database has been initiated. Additionally, a potential target (Bacteroides spp.) has been selected for further phylogenetic analysis