1 research outputs found
Real-Time Quantitative PCR Measurements of Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Human-Associated Source Tracking Markers in a Texas River following Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey has caused unprecedented
devastation to huge parts
of southeastern Texas, particularly damaging the wastewater infrastructure
resulting in release of sewage contamination into environmental waters.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary assessment
of fecal indicator bacteria (<i>Escherichia coli</i> and
enterococci) and human-associated fecal genetic markers (human-associated
Bacteroidales), measured using qPCR assays, across a Texas river impacted
by Hurricane Harvey. Water samples were collected along the Guadalupe
River during September–December 2017. The most heavily flooded
sites showed the highest abundance of fecal indicator bacteria and
human-associated Bacteroidales markers, indicating that a large number
of sewage overflows and stormwater runoff occurred during Harvey flooding.
These findings suggest that high levels of human fecal contamination
were introduced into waterways draining into the Gulf of Mexico and
impaired surface water quality. The human-associated Bacteroidales
markers exhibited a low to slightly strong correlation with conventional
fecal indicators, suggesting the variable occurrence of different
markers and uncertainty of enterococci and <i>E. coli</i> for detection of human fecal pollution. In general, results of this
initial microbiological contaminant assessment will serve as baseline
information for follow-on studies to monitor existing and emerging
public health risks to residents of Texas and potential long-term
environmental impacts on the water resources in the impacted regions