IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOURCES OF FECAL CONTAMINATION IN BRUSHY CREEK WATERSHED*

Authors

Kathryn Sanders, Georgia College And State University, Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow
Isreal Thrape, Georgia College And State University, Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow
Dave Bachoon, Georgia College And State University, Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow

Abstract

This study was intended to identify the quality of a watershed by detecting the presence of human, canine, ruminant and bird fecal contamination that could lead to possible human illness. This research identifies high levels of fecal coliform bacteria and the sources at seven different collection sites along Brushy Creek watershed located in Wrens, Georgia. Initial research started in July 2020 for contaminate testing at the seven sites with alternating sample collection between dry and wet seasons. The liquid culture, IDEXX Colilert-18, was used to measure E. Coli levels in the water as an indicator for the possible presence of other harmful bacteria. Samples that extended over 200cfu/100ml of E. Coli contamination indicated a high probability of fecal contamination. The identification of the contaminate source was performed Microbial Source Tracking using Quantitative PCR. Human, Canine, and ruminant were the overall main sources of fecal contamination. In 2022, Canine fecal pollution was consistently present in five of the seven sites throughout the wet season and human was consistent in four of the seven throughout the dry season.

Recommended Citation

Sanders, Kathryn; Thrape, Isreal; and Bachoon, Dave (2023) "IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOURCES OF FECAL CONTAMINATION IN BRUSHY CREEK WATERSHED*," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 81, No. 1, Article 33.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol81/iss1/33