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Fecal Sterol and Runoff Analysis for Nonpoint Source Tracking.

N L Fahrenfeld, N Del Monaco, J T Coates

    Journal of Environmental Quality
    |February 2, 2016
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Sterol analysis effectively identifies human fecal pollution sources in streams, even without clear pollution points. This chemical method helps pinpoint nonpoint sources, aiding water quality management in impaired watersheds.

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    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Water Quality Management
    • Geospatial Analysis

    Background:

    • Fecal pollution in surface waters poses risks and necessitates accurate source identification.
    • Chemical methods like sterol analysis offer a way to track fecal pollution origins.
    • Understanding human fecal input is crucial for managing mixed-land-use watersheds.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To quantify human fecal inputs in a mixed-land-use watershed using sterol analysis.
    • To investigate the relationship between land use and sterol ratios.
    • To assess the utility of sterol analysis for nonpoint source tracking.

    Main Methods:

    • Fecal sterol analysis performed on stream bed and suspended sediments.
    • Geospatial data used to determine land-use-associated runoff volumes.
    • Comparison of sterol ratios with land-use data and runoff percentages.

    Main Results:

    • Human fecal signatures detected at sites with known sewer overflow and septic inputs.
    • Sterol ratios varied in their sensitivity for indicating human fecal pollution.
    • No correlation found between developed land runoff and sterol ratios, indicating uneven human fecal input distribution.

    Conclusions:

    • Sterol analysis is a valuable tool for identifying the location of human fecal nonpoint-source inputs.
    • The method aids in quantifying risks and assessing management practices in impaired waters.
    • Practical considerations for implementing sterol analysis in small watersheds are discussed.