Three methods (membrane filtration, multiple tube fermentation, and chromogenic substrate technology kits manufactured by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.) are routinely used to measure indicator bacteria for beach water quality. To assess comparability of these methods, quantify within-laboratory variability for each method, and place that variability into context of variability among laboratories usi...

The seasonal incidence and occurrence of indicator organisms and pathogens were studied at four sites in the Rhode River, a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay. The highest frequency of occurrence of total and fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci was in Muddy Creek, a marsh area receiving pasture land runoff. Second highest frequency of occurrence of these bacteria was in Cadle Creek, a populated ar...

To investigate the transport and fate of fecal pollution at Great Lakes beaches and the health risks associated with swimming, the near-shore waters of Lake Michigan and two tributaries discharging into it were examined for bacterial indicators of human fecal pollution. The enterococcus human fecal pollution marker, which targets a putative virulence factor--the enterococcal surface protein (es...

Regulatory agencies are interested in a fecal indicator bacterium with a host range limited to humans because human fecal contamination represents the greatest hazard to humans, yet is a relatively easy nonpoint source to remedy. Watersheds with human fecal contamination could be given first priority for cleanup. A fecal indicator bacterium with a host range limited to humans and a few other wa...

Routine monitoring of shellfish growing waters for bacteria indicative of human sewage pollution reveals little about the bacterial communities that co-occur with these indicators. This study investigated the bacterial community, potential pathogens, and fecal indicator bacteria in 40 water samples from a shellfish growing area in the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Bacterial community composition was qua...

Fecal microbial pollution of recreational and shellfishing waters is a major human health and economic issue. Microbial pollution sourced from stormwater runoff is especially widespread, and strongly associated with urbanization. However, non-point source nutrient pollution is also problematic, and may come from sources different from fecal-derived pollution (i.e. fertilization of farm fields, ...

Bacteriological effects of hydraulically dredging polluted bottom sediment in the navigation channel of the Upper Mississippi River (river mile 827.5 [about 1,332 km] to 828.1 [about 1,333 km]) were investigated. Bottom sediment in the dredging site contained high total coliform densities (about 6,800 most-probable-number total coliform index per g [dry weight] and 3,800 membrane filter total c...

due to uncontrolled dump of dried municipal sludge and its use by farmers as soil conditioner and/or fertilizer, an extensive research was conducted in order to determine the microbiological characteristics of municipal sludges produced at three major cities, namely, qateef, dammam and khobar in the eastern province of saudi arabia. sludge samples were collected, from sand drying beds, twice a ...

Microbial pathogens are among factors posing significant threats to hygiene issues for water and wastewater. Thus indicator bacteria are used for detection of relative risk of fecal contamination and potential presence of pathogens in water. However, indicator organisms bear some disadvantages decreasing their effectiveness as ideal indicators of microbial pathogens in water. In addition, conve...

Water 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 on Escherichia coli and enterococcal survival in simplified microcosms held in the dark....