Utility of Microbial Source-Tracking Markers for Assessing Fecal Contamination in the Portage River Watershed, Northwestern Ohio, 2008

Kephart, Christopher M.; Bushon, Rebecca N.

Abstract:

An influx of concentrated animal feeding operations in northwest Ohio has prompted local agencies to examine the effects of these industrial farms on water quality in the upper Portage River watershed. The utility of microbial source-tracking (MST) tools as a means of characterizing sources of fecal contamination in the watershed was evaluated. From 2007 to 2008, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey, Bowling Green State University, and the Wood County Health Department collected and analyzed 17 environmental samples and 13 fecal source samples for Bacteroides-based host-associated DNA markers. At many of the environmental sites tested, MST marker results corroborated the presumptive fecal contamination sources. Results from this demonstration study support the utility of using MST with host-specific molecular markers to characterize the sources of fecal contamination in the Portage River watershed.

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

98270

Citation Author:

Kephart, Christopher M.; Bushon, Rebecca N.

Citation Contributing Office:

Ohio Water Science Center

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Citation Language:

ENGLISH

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Citation LatN:

0412900

Citation LatS:

0411400

Citation LonE:

-0833400

Citation LonW:

-0834800

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Citation Phsyical Description:

iv, 7 p.

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Citation Public Comments:

In Cooperation With Bowling Green State University and the Wood County Health Department

Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Scientific Investigations Report

Citation Series Code:

SIR

Citation Series Number:

2010-5036

Citation Search Results Text:

Utility of Microbial Source-Tracking Markers for Assessing Fecal Contamination in the Portage River Watershed, Northwestern Ohio, 2008; 2010; SIR; 2010-5036; Kephart, Christopher M.; Bushon, Rebecca N.