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Mobilisation of microbial indicators, microbial source tracking markers and pathogens after rainfall events
Cristina García-Aljaro1, Julia Martín-Díaz1, Enric Viñas-Balada1
1Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
Water Research
|February 8, 2017
Summary
Heavy rainfall events mobilize microorganisms in river sediments, increasing the risk of pathogen spread. River sediments act as reservoirs for fecal indicators and pathogens, highlighting potential health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Hydrology
- Public health
Background:
- Climate change intensifies heavy rainfall in the Mediterranean.
- Extreme river flow variations impact microbial persistence and mobilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of rainfall-induced river flow variations on microorganisms.
- To evaluate the role of river sediments as reservoirs for microbial contaminants.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of river water and sediments before and after heavy rainfall.
- Analysis of microbial indicators: Escherichia coli (EC), somatic coliphages (SOMCPH), sulphite reducing clostridia spores (SRC), Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron GA17 strain phages (GA17PH), sorbitol fermenting bifidobacteria (SFBIF).
- Detection of pathogens: Salmonella spp. and Enterovirus.
Main Results:
- Higher microbial loads were found in sediments near the river course.
- Rainfall increased concentrations of EC and SFBIF in sediments and water.
- Microbial indicators showed varied persistence rates post-rainfall; SRC remained stable.
- Salmonella spp. and Enterovirus were detected at lower levels than indicators.
Conclusions:
- River sediments serve as significant reservoirs for fecal indicators, microbial source tracking (MST) markers, and pathogens.
- Post-rainfall mobilization of these microorganisms from sediments poses a risk for pathogen dissemination into aquatic environments.
