Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Elmore, A. Curt
Mormile, Melanie
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Second Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Missouri S& T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Fellows Program National Science Foundation Grant 0623091 - International Research Experiences for Students program
Abstract
The microbiological contaminant concentrations of drinking water are typically analyzed using a customary membrane filtration method approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the European Economic Community (EEC). The membrane filtration method is well documented providing highly reproducible water quality data at a relatively high cost in terms of preparation time, in situ procedure, and money. The commercially available Coliscan EasyGel method for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coliand total coliforms costs much less. However, the usability of the field data may be uncertain when the results are qualitatively and quantitatively compared to duplicate membrane filtration results. Drinking water samples collected during a public health assessment study in Chichicastenago Guatemala will be analyzed using the Coliscan EasyGel method to measure concentrations of indicator coliform bacteria and the effect of the temperature stability on incubation time. A subset of the samples will be split for duplicate membrane filtration analysis. Linear regression analysis and relative percent difference analysis will be performed on the duplicate results to evaluate the comparability of the Coliscan EasyGel and membrane filtration data.
Biography
Jenna Tune is a first-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree i n Geological Engineering. Her research interests include theoretical and practical applications of water treatment technologies and sustainable solutions in relation to water management, infrasture rehabilitation, and industrial water processes. Her campus and community involvement include Woman as Global Leaders, Engineers Without Borders, Sue Shear Leadership Academy, Hospice Volunteer, and West Coast Swing dancing enthusiast.
Research Category
Natural Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Natural Sciences Oral Presentation - Second Place
Location
Havener Center, Turner Room
Presentation Date
9 April 2008, 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Field Analyses for the Detection and Enumeration of Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water During a Public Health Assessment Study
Havener Center, Turner Room
The microbiological contaminant concentrations of drinking water are typically analyzed using a customary membrane filtration method approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the European Economic Community (EEC). The membrane filtration method is well documented providing highly reproducible water quality data at a relatively high cost in terms of preparation time, in situ procedure, and money. The commercially available Coliscan EasyGel method for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coliand total coliforms costs much less. However, the usability of the field data may be uncertain when the results are qualitatively and quantitatively compared to duplicate membrane filtration results. Drinking water samples collected during a public health assessment study in Chichicastenago Guatemala will be analyzed using the Coliscan EasyGel method to measure concentrations of indicator coliform bacteria and the effect of the temperature stability on incubation time. A subset of the samples will be split for duplicate membrane filtration analysis. Linear regression analysis and relative percent difference analysis will be performed on the duplicate results to evaluate the comparability of the Coliscan EasyGel and membrane filtration data.
