scholarly journals Poikilothermic Animals as a Previously Unrecognized Source of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in a Backwater Ecosystem of a Large River

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Frick ◽  
Julia Vierheilig ◽  
Rita Linke ◽  
Domenico Savio ◽  
Horst Zornig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Intestinal Enterococci

ABSTRACTQuantitative information regarding the presence ofEscherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, andClostridium perfringensin poikilotherms is notably scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to allow a systematic comparison of the occurrence of these standard fecal indicator bacteria (SFIB) in the excreta of wild homeothermic (ruminants, boars, carnivores, and birds) and poikilothermic (earthworms, gastropods, frogs, and fish) animals inhabiting an alluvial backwater area in eastern Austria. With the exception of earthworms, the average concentrations ofE. coliand enterococci in the excreta of poikilotherms were equal to or only slightly lower than those observed in homeothermic excreta and were 1 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than the levels observed in the ambient soils and sediments. Enterococci reached extraordinarily high concentrations in gastropods. Additional estimates of the daily excreted SFIB (E. coliand enterococcus) loads (DESL) further supported the importance of poikilotherms as potential pollution sources. The newly established DESL metric also allowed comparison to the standing stock of SFIB in the sediment and soil of the investigated area. In agreement with its biological characteristics, the highest concentrations ofC. perfringenswere observed in carnivores. In conclusion, the long-standing hypothesis that only humans and homeothermic animals are primary sources of SFIB is challenged by the results of this study. It may be necessary to extend the fecal indicator concept by additionally considering poikilotherms as potential important primary habitats of SFIB. Further studies in other geographical areas are needed to evaluate the general significance of our results. We hypothesize that the importance of poikilotherms as sources of SFIB is strongly correlated with the ambient temperature and would therefore be of increased significance in subtropical and tropical habitats and water resources.IMPORTANCEThe current fecal indicator concept is based on the assumption that the standard fecal indicator bacteria (SFIB)Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, andClostridium perfringensmultiply significantly only in the guts of humans and other homeothermic animals and can therefore indicate fecal pollution and the potential presence of pathogens from those groups. The findings of the present study showed that SFIB can also occur in high concentrations in poikilothermic animals (i.e., animals with body temperatures that vary with the ambient environmental temperature, such as fish, frogs, and snails) in an alluvial backwater area in a temperate region, indicating that a reconsideration of this long-standing indicator paradigm is needed. This study suggests that poikilotherms must be considered to be potential primary sources of SFIB in future studies.

scholarly journals Depth-Dependent Survival of Escherichia coli and Enterococci in Soil after Manure Application and Simulated Rainfall

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (14) ◽  
pp. 4801-4808 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Stocker ◽  
Y. A. Pachepsky ◽  
R. L. Hill ◽  
D. R. Shelton
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Bacterial Survival ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Manure Application ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTOnce released, manure-borne bacteria can enter runoff via interaction with the thin mixing layer near the soil surface. The objectives of this work were to document temporal changes in profile distributions of manure-borneEscherichia coliand enterococci in the near-surface soil layers after simulated rainfalls and to examine differences in survival of the two fecal indicator bacteria. Rainfall simulations were performed in triplicate on soil-filled boxes with grass cover and solid manure application for 1 h with rainfall depths of 30, 60, and 90 mm. Soil samples were collected weekly from depth ranges of 0 to 1, 1 to 2, 2 to 5, and 5 to 10 cm for 1 month. Rainfall intensity was found to have a significant impact on the initial concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria in the soil. While total numbers of enterococci rapidly declined over time,E. colipopulations experienced initial growth with concentration increases of 4, 10, and 25 times the initial levels at rainfall treatment depths of 30, 60, and 90 mm, respectively.E. colipopulations grew to the approximately the same level in all treatments. The 0- to 1-cm layer contained more indicator bacteria than the layers beneath it, and survival of indicator bacteria was better in this layer, with decimation times between 12 and 18 days after the first week of growth. The proportion of bacteria in the 0- to 1-cm layer grew with time as the total number of bacteria in the 0- to 10-cm layer declined. The results of this work indicate the need to revisit the bacterial survival patterns that are assumed in water quality models.

scholarly journals Decay of Fecal Indicator Bacterial Populations and Bovine-Associated Source-Tracking Markers in Freshly Deposited Cow Pats

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelumola Oladeinde ◽  
Thomas Bohrmann ◽  
Kelvin Wong ◽  
S. T. Purucker ◽  
Ken Bradshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decay Rate ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Source Tracking ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Decay Dynamic

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the survival of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and microbial source-tracking (MST) markers is critical to developing pathogen fate and transport models. Although pathogen survival in water microcosms and manure-amended soils is well documented, little is known about their survival in intact cow pats deposited on pastures. We conducted a study to determine decay rates of fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coliand enterococci) and bovine-associated MST markers (CowM3, Rum-2-bac, and GenBac) in 18 freshly deposited cattle feces from three farms in northern Georgia. Samples were randomly assigned to shaded or unshaded treatment in order to determine the effects of sunlight, moisture, and temperature on decay rates. A general linear model (GLM) framework was used to determine decay rates. Shading significantly decreased the decay rate of theE. colipopulation (P< 0.0001), with a rate of −0.176 day−1for the shaded treatment and −0.297 day−1for the unshaded treatment. Shading had no significant effect on decay rates of enterococci, CowM3, Rum-2-bac, and GenBac (P> 0.05). In addition,E. colipopulations showed a significant growth rate (0.881 day−1) in the unshaded samples during the first 5 days after deposition. UV-B was the most important parameter explaining the decay rate ofE. colipopulations. A comparison of the decay behaviors among all markers indicated that enterococcus concentrations exhibit a better correlation with the MST markers thanE. coliconcentrations. Our results indicate that bovine-associated MST markers can survive in cow pats for at least 1 month after excretion, and although their decay dynamic differs from the decay dynamic ofE. colipopulations, they seem to be reliable markers to use in combination with enterococci to monitor fecal pollution from pasture lands.

scholarly journals Genotypic Diversity of Escherichia coli in the Water and Soil of Tropical Watersheds in Hawaii

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 3988-3997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin K. Goto ◽  
Tao Yan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genotypic Diversity ◽  
Tropical Soils ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tropical Watersheds ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Soil And Water

ABSTRACTHigh levels ofEscherichia coliwere frequently detected in tropical soils in Hawaii, which present important environmental sources ofE. colito water bodies. This study systematically examinedE. coliisolates from water and soil of several watersheds in Hawaii and observed high overall genotypic diversity (35.5% unique genotypes). In the Manoa watershed, fewer than 9.3% of the observedE. coligenotypes in water and 6.6% in soil were shared between different sampling sites, suggesting the lack of dominant fecal sources in the watershed. High temporal variability ofE. coligenotypes in soil was also observed, which suggests a dynamicE. colipopulation corresponding with the frequently observed high concentrations in tropical soils. WhenE. coligenotypes detected from the same sampling events were compared, limited sharing between the soil and water samples was observed in the majority of comparisons (73.5%). However, several comparisons reported up to 33.3% overlap ofE. coligenotypes between soil and water, illustrating the potential for soil-water interactions under favorable environmental conditions. In addition, genotype accumulation curves forE. colifrom water and soil indicated that the sampling efforts in the Manoa watershed could not exhaust the overall genotypic diversity. Comparisons ofE. coligenotypes from other watersheds on Oahu, Hawaii, identified no apparent grouping according to sampling locations. The results of the present study demonstrate the complexity of usingE. colias a fecal indicator bacterium in tropical watersheds and highlight the need to differentiate environmental sources ofE. colifrom fecal sources in water quality monitoring.

scholarly journals Differential Decay of Enterococci and Escherichia coli Originating from Two Fecal Pollution Sources

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 2488-2492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asja Korajkic ◽  
Brian R. McMinn ◽  
Valerie J. Harwood ◽  
Orin C. Shanks ◽  
G. Shay Fout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Aquatic Mesocosms

ABSTRACTUsingin situsubtropical aquatic mesocosms, fecal source (cattle manure versus sewage) was shown to be the most important contributor to differential loss in viability of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), specifically enterococci in freshwater andEscherichia coliin marine habitats. In this study, sunlight exposure and indigenous aquatic microbiota were also important contributors, whose effects on FIB also differed between water types.

scholarly journals Test of Direct and Indirect Effects of Agrochemicals on the Survival of Fecal Indicator Bacteria

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (24) ◽  
pp. 8765-8774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachery R. Staley ◽  
Jason R. Rohr ◽  
Valerie J. Harwood
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTWater bodies often receive agrochemicals and animal waste carrying fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and zoonotic pathogens, but we know little about the effects of agrochemicals on these microbes. We assessed the direct effects of the pesticides atrazine, malathion, and chlorothalonil and inorganic fertilizer onEscherichia coliand enterococcal survival in simplified microcosms held in the dark.E. colistrain composition in sediments and water column were positively correlated, but none of the agrochemicals had significant direct effects onE. colistrain composition or on densities of culturable FIBs. In a companion study, microcosms with nondisinfected pond water and sediments were exposed to or shielded from sunlight to examine the potential indirect effects of atrazine and inorganic fertilizer onE. coli. The herbicide atrazine had no effect onE. coliin dark-exposed microcosms containing natural microbial and algal communities. However, in light-exposed microcosms, atrazine significantly loweredE. colidensities in the water column and significantly increased densities in the sediment compared to controls. This effect appears to be mediated by the effects of atrazine on algae, given that atrazine significantly reduced phytoplankton, which was a positive and negative predictor ofE. colidensities in the water column and sediment, respectively. These data suggest that atrazine does not directly affect the survival of FIB, rather that it indirectly alters the distribution and abundance ofE. coliby altering phytoplankton and periphyton communities. These results improve our understanding of the influence of agricultural practices on FIB densities in water bodies impacted by agricultural runoff.

scholarly journals Lack of Direct Effects of Agrochemicals on Zoonotic Pathogens and Fecal Indicator Bacteria

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (22) ◽  
pp. 8146-8150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachery R. Staley ◽  
Jacob K. Senkbeil ◽  
Jason R. Rohr ◽  
Valerie J. Harwood
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Fecal Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogens ◽  
Human Polyomaviruses

ABSTRACTAgrochemicals, fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), and pathogens frequently contaminate water simultaneously. No significant direct effects of fertilizer, atrazine, malathion, and chlorothalonil on the survival ofEscherichia coli,Enterococcus faecalis,Salmonella enterica, human polyomaviruses, and adenovirus were detected, supporting the assertion that previously observed effects of agrochemicals on FIB were indirect.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Escherichia coli and Enterococci in Cladophora (Chlorophyta) in Nearshore Water and Beach Sand of Lake Michigan

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 4714-4719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Whitman ◽  
Dawn A. Shively ◽  
Heather Pawlik ◽  
Meredith B. Nevers ◽  
Muruleedhara N. Byappanahalli
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Beach Sand ◽  
Cladophora Glomerata ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Each summer, the nuisance green alga Cladophora (mostly Cladophora glomerata) amasses along Lake Michigan beaches, creating nearshore anoxia and unsightly, malodorous mats that can attract problem animals and detract from visitor enjoyment. Traditionally, elevated counts of Escherichia coli are presumed to indicate the presence of sewage, mostly derived from nearby point sources. The relationship between fecal indicator bacteria and Cladophora remains essentially unstudied. This investigation describes the local and regional density of Escherichia coli and enterococci in Cladophora mats along beaches in the four states (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan) bordering Lake Michigan. Samples of Cladophora strands collected from 10 beaches (n = 41) were assayed for concentrations of E. coli and enterococci during the summer of 2002. Both E. coli and enterococci were ubiquitous (up to 97% occurrence), with overall log mean densities (± standard errors) of 5.3 (± 4.8) and 4.8 (± 4.5) per g (dry weight). E. coli and enterococci were strongly correlated in southern Lake Michigan beaches (P < 0.001, R 2 = 0.73, n = 17) but not in northern beaches (P = 0.892, n = 16). Both E. coli and enterococci survived for over 6 months in sun-dried Cladophora mats stored at 4°C; the residual bacteria in the dried alga readily grew upon rehydration. These findings suggest that Cladophora amassing along the beaches of Lake Michigan may be an important environmental source of indicator bacteria and call into question the reliability of E. coli and enterococci as indicators of water quality for freshwater recreational beaches.

Occurrence and growth characteristics ofEscherichia coliand enterococci within the accumulated fluid of the northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpureaL.)

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1027-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L Whitman ◽  
Stacey E Byers ◽  
Dawn A Shively ◽  
Donna M Ferguson ◽  
Muruleedhara Byappanahalli
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Pitcher Plant ◽  
Fecal Indicator ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fluid Concentration ◽  
The Individual

Sarracenia purpurea L., a carnivorous bog plant (also known as the pitcher plant), represents an excellent model of a well-defined, self-contained ecosystem; the individual pitchers of the plant serve as a microhabitat for a variety of micro- and macro-organisms. Previously, fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and enterococci) were shown as incidental contaminants in pitcher fluid; however, whether their occurrence in pitcher fluid is incidental or common has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence, distribution, and growth potential of E. coli and enterococci in pitcher plant fluid from a protected bog in northwest Indiana. Escherichia coli and enterococci were recovered in pitcher fluids (n = 43 plants), with mean densities (log CFU mL–1) of 1.28 ± 0.23 and 1.97 ± 0.27, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that E. coli growth in fluid not containing insects or indigenous organisms was directly proportional to the fluid concentration (growth was 10-fold in 24 h in 100% fluid); however, in the presence of other indigenous organisms, E. coli and enterococci were only sustained for 5 days at 26 °C. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis showed that the plant Enterococcus faecalis isolates were genetically distinct from the human isolates; identical PFGE patterns were observed among plant isolates that fell into one of six clonal groups. These findings suggest that (i) E. coli and enterococci occurrence in pitcher plants is rather common in the bog studied, although their originating source is unclear, and (ii) the pitcher fluid contains adequate nutrients, especially carbon and energy sources, to promote the growth of indicator bacteria; however, under natural conditions, the biotic factors (e.g., competition for nutrients) may restrict their growth.Key words: indicator bacteria, environmental occurrence, microcosm, pitcher plant fluid, temperate bog.

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