Detection of human-associated bacteria in water from Akiyoshi-do Cave, Japan

Akiyoshi-do Cave is one of the oldest and the largest show caves in Japan. Environmental alterations induced by tourism impacts have been suggested; however, only a few previous studies have investigated the impacts of tourism on the cave. In this study, enrichment culture procedures were applied to detect human-associated bacteria (HAB) including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and thermo-tolerant Bacillus spp. in cave water. Physical and bacterial parameters of water including total nitrogen, ammonia, phosphate, total number of bacteria, and total number of viable bacteria were collected as environmental factors. Escherichia coli was absent at all sites, but increased levels of total bacteria, viable bacteria, S. aureus, and thermo-tolerant Bacillus spp. were present at high-impact sites. Examination of the origin tracking of HAB suggested that cave tourists could be a source of HAB contamination, but other causes related to the surface land use could also contribute to HAB contamination. © 2020 Water Environment Federation PRACTITIONER POINTS: Detection of HAB was performed for the first time in Japanese show caves to consider tourism impacts. The greater number of HAB was detected from the tourist area than the nontourist area in the cave. It was suggested that the origin of HAB may not be limited to tourists, but may also include the surface.