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Multi-Tiered approach utilizing microbial source tracking and human associated-IMS/ATP for surveillance of human fecal contamination in Baja California, Mexico
Citation:
Zimmer-Faust, A., V. Thulsiraj, C. Lee, V. Whitener, M. Rugh, L. Medoza-Espinosa, AND J. Jay. Multi-Tiered approach utilizing microbial source tracking and human associated-IMS/ATP for surveillance of human fecal contamination in Baja California, Mexico. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 640-641(1):475-484, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.172
Impact/Purpose:
As both the need for reuse of reclaimed wastewater and the burden placed on existing wastewater treatment plants increase, so does the need for methods that can reliably, rapidly and economically identify human-associated contamination. A survey of surface water quality was conducted in Baja California, Mexico where inadequate infrastructure or its inefficient operation leads to poor water quality.
Description:
As both the need for reuse of reclaimed wastewater and the burden placed on existing wastewater treatment plants increase, so does the need for methods that can reliably, rapidly and economically identify human-associated contamination. A survey of surface water quality was conducted in Baja California, Mexico where inadequate infrastructure or its inefficient operation leads to poor water quality. The HF183 and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (B. theta) human-associated gene markers were detected in 84% and 82% of samples collected during dry weather, illustrating evidence of widespread human fecal contamination. In addition, an inversely-coupled (Inv-IMS/ATP) viability-based assay for detection of B. theta was developed and applied for rapid detection and screening of human-associated fecal contamination. The Inv-IMS/ATP assay was able to effectively differentiate between surface waters impacted with adequately and inadequately treated wastewater, and B. theta levels measured by Inv-IMS/ATP were highly correlated with HF183 and B. theta human marker qPCR measurements (r=0.76; r=0.82) in complex surface water samples. In areas with widespread human contamination and limited access to more expensive methods, a tiered approach utilizing a combination of methods including the Inv-IMS/ATP assay for rapid evaluation and screening of surface water quality alongside human-associated microbial source tracking markers may improve risk assessment and surveillance capabilities.
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DOI: Multi-Tiered approach utilizing microbial source tracking and human associated-IMS/ATP for surveillance of human fecal contamination in Baja California, Mexico