Employing Microbial Source Tracking Tools to Determine the Origin of Fecal Pollution in Missouri Waterways
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Environmental Engineering / Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Oerther, Daniel B.
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Mathes Chair of Environmental Engineering
Abstract
According to the 305(b) report released by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2010, approximately 8% of the total or nearly 2,000 miles of classified streams in the State of Missouri are impaired with bacterial contamination. Approximately 100 miles are impaired due to point source wastewater discharge, and the remaining stream miles are impaired by a combination of non-point sources including agricultural runoff and animal husbandry operations. To determine the origin of bacterial contamination in streams, microbial source tracking tools can be employed. Building upon the prior results of our research team, this study is using 16S rRNA-targeted methods to identify sequence signatures corresponding to likely human fecal contamination as compared to wild life and livestock. These methods are being used to evaluate putative threats to human and environmental health due to bacterial contamination of Missouri streams.
Biography
Tommy is a third year student at Missouri University of Science and Technology dual majoring in Environmental Engineering and Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. Tommy wishes to continue with Missouri S&T research and the process of biological remediation with his degree from Missouri S&T. His interests are in the biologically relevant areas of environmental engineering. Tommy is currently a member of Helix (an academic/social biological sciences organization).
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Employing Microbial Source Tracking Tools to Determine the Origin of Fecal Pollution in Missouri Waterways
Upper Atrium/Hallway
According to the 305(b) report released by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2010, approximately 8% of the total or nearly 2,000 miles of classified streams in the State of Missouri are impaired with bacterial contamination. Approximately 100 miles are impaired due to point source wastewater discharge, and the remaining stream miles are impaired by a combination of non-point sources including agricultural runoff and animal husbandry operations. To determine the origin of bacterial contamination in streams, microbial source tracking tools can be employed. Building upon the prior results of our research team, this study is using 16S rRNA-targeted methods to identify sequence signatures corresponding to likely human fecal contamination as compared to wild life and livestock. These methods are being used to evaluate putative threats to human and environmental health due to bacterial contamination of Missouri streams.
Comments
Joint project with Melissa Buechlein