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Fecal Sterol and Runoff Analysis for Nonpoint Source Tracking.
Journal of Environmental Quality
|February 2, 2016
Summary
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.
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.
