E. coli Survivorship
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Niyogi, Dev
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
OURE
Abstract
E. coli bacteria are used as indicators to detect the presence of harmful microorganisms in environmental samples. We are examining E. coli concentrations in local streams, where it is crucial to understand the conditions in whichE. coli persist in a freshwater environment. We devised several microcosm experiments using experimental streams in order to better understand controls on E. coli survival. Several experiments tested temperature and sunlight effects on the survival of E. coli. Survival was much lower in full sun and at warmer temperatures. Another experiment tested the effects of streambed sediments on suspended E. coli. This included several trials of experimental streams filled with sand, gravel, and devoid of any sediment as a control. The E. coli seem to behave as predicted, acting more as particles themselves, and the counts for sand gutters were lowest, with the gravel behind it, and the highest counts yielding from the control.
Biography
Jonah Heitman, a driven student, was fascinated in his Ecology class. Instantly, he decided to jump on board Dr. Niyogi’s lab and fell in love with the stream system of Mill Creek.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2017, 11:00 am - 11:20 am
E. coli Survivorship
Carver Room
E. coli bacteria are used as indicators to detect the presence of harmful microorganisms in environmental samples. We are examining E. coli concentrations in local streams, where it is crucial to understand the conditions in whichE. coli persist in a freshwater environment. We devised several microcosm experiments using experimental streams in order to better understand controls on E. coli survival. Several experiments tested temperature and sunlight effects on the survival of E. coli. Survival was much lower in full sun and at warmer temperatures. Another experiment tested the effects of streambed sediments on suspended E. coli. This included several trials of experimental streams filled with sand, gravel, and devoid of any sediment as a control. The E. coli seem to behave as predicted, acting more as particles themselves, and the counts for sand gutters were lowest, with the gravel behind it, and the highest counts yielding from the control.
