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MICROBIAL SOURCE TRACKING - 101
Citation:
Shanks*, O. MICROBIAL SOURCE TRACKING - 101. Presented at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Genetics Program, Washington, DC, June 02, 2004.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
Fecal contamination of surface waters used for recreation, drinking water and aquaculture are a continuous environmental problem and pose significant human health risks. Today, a large portion of the United States rivers/streams (39%), lakes (45%), and estuaries (51%) are not safe for fishing and swimming according to the National Water Quality Inventory 2000 Report. The problem is often difficult to correct because the source of the contamination cannot be determined with certainty. Run-off from non-point sources (e.g., manure from dairy pastures), failing septic tanks, and overloads from sewage treatment facilities are primary candidates. Molecular methods are currently being investigated to match microbial phenotypic and genotypic traits with the origin of fecal pollution. These methods, collectively referred to as microbial source tracking, may provide the critical information needed to identify specific sources responsible for contamination, assess health risks, and develop management plans to restore and protect aquatic resources. This presentation will review some of the main methods used in microbial source tracking and highlight several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency research projects.