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Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses
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Published on: December 3, 2011

Recommendations following a multi-laboratory comparison of microbial source tracking methods.

Jill R Stewart1, Alexandria B Boehm, Eric A Dubinsky

  • 1Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 1301 Michael Hooker Research Center, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box #7431, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Water Research
|July 30, 2013
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Summary

Microbial source tracking (MST) methods can identify fecal pollution sources like humans, cows, and birds in water. Standardizing lab protocols is crucial for accurate results and effective water management.

Keywords:
BacteroidalesColiformEnterococcusMicrobial source trackingWater qualityqPCR

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Water quality assessment
  • Molecular biology techniques

Background:

  • Microbial source tracking (MST) is vital for identifying fecal pollution origins in water bodies.
  • The Source Identification Protocol Project (SIPP) aimed to evaluate various MST methods.
  • Fecal pollution poses risks to public health and aquatic ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the performance of different MST methods in identifying host sources of fecal pollution.
  • To identify challenges and limitations in current MST methodologies.
  • To provide recommendations for advancing the field of MST.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of 27 laboratories comparing multiple MST methods.
  • Analysis of blinded water samples with single or mixed fecal sources from California.
  • Assessment of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay results, including low concentration detections.

Main Results:

  • MST methods demonstrated capability in identifying human, cow, and bird fecal sources.
  • Variations in laboratory protocols and data processing impacted MST results interpretation.
  • Samples with low target concentrations (near limits of detection/quantification) presented interpretation challenges but were often true positives.

Conclusions:

  • MST is a valuable tool for water management, aiding in prioritizing remediation efforts for impaired waters.
  • Standardizing MST protocols and data analysis is essential for reliable method comparison and interpretation.
  • Proposing a unique reporting category for low-concentration positive samples could improve data analysis and method evaluation.
  • Further integration of MST data into risk assessments can enhance public health protection strategies.