Linking on-farm dairy management practices to storm-flow fecal coliform loading for California coastal watersheds

How and where to improve water quality within an agricultural watershed requires data at a spatial scale that corresponds with individual management decision units on an agricultural operation. This is particularly true in the context of water quality regulations, such as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), that identify agriculture as one source of non-point source pollution through larger tributary watershed scale and above and below water quality investigations. We have conducted a systems approach study of 10 coastal dairies and ranches to document fecal coliform concentration and loading to surface waters at the management decision unit scale. Water quality samples were collected on a storm event basis from loading units that included: manure management systems; gutters; storm drains; pastures; and corrals and lots. In addition, in-stream samples were collected above and below the dairy facilities and from a control watershed, managed for light grazing and without a dairy facility or human residence and corresponding septic system. Samples were analyzed for fecal coliform concentration by membrane filtration. Instantaneous discharge was measured for each collected sample. Storm runoff was also calculated using the curve number method (SCS, 1985). Results for a representative dairy as well as the entire 10 dairy data set are presented. Fecal coliform concentrations demonstrate high variability both within and between loading units. Fecal coliform concentrations for pastures range from 206 to 2,288,888 cfu/100 ml and for lots from 1,933 to 166,105,000 cfu/100 ml. Mean concentrations for pastures and lots are 121,298 (SE=62,222) and 3,155,584 (SE=1,902,713) cfu/100 ml, respectively. Fecal coliform load from units of concentrated animals and manure are significantly more than units such as pastures while storm flow amounts were significantly less. Compared with results from earlier tributary scale studies in the watershed, this systems approach has generatedwater quality data that is beneficial for management decisions because of its scale and representation of current management activities. These results are facilitating on-farm changes through the cooperative efforts of dairy managers, regulatory agency staff, and sources of technical and financial assistance.     

AN ANALYSIS OF SEASONAL FECAL COLIFORM LEVELS IN THE TCHEFUNCTE RWER1

ABSTRACT: A model for estimating seasonal fecal coliform concentrations in the Tchefuncte River as a function of river discharge was developed. Data on fecal coliform concentration were obtained from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and were available for a period of 15 years (1975 through 1992) from three locations. Stream flow data were obtained from a gaging station of the U. S. Geological Survey at Folsom, Louisiana. These data were available for 49 years (1943 through 1991). The climate of the area is characterized by different precipitation/runoff mechanisms for the summer and winter seasons. The division for seasons used in this analysis was May through October (summer season), and November through April (winter season). Because of the combined effects of climatic mechanisms causing precipitation and the seasonal variation of evapotranspiration, runoff is greater in the winter season resulting in higher fecal coliform counts in the Tchefuncte River. Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between fecal coliform concentration and discharge for each season, at each of three sites on the Tchefuncte River.     

粪大肠菌群快速测定法在城市地表水监测中的应用

选取苏州地表水体中具有代表性的22个点位采集水样，以纸片法和多管发酵法测定水中粪大肠菌群进行方法比对，达标情况相同，均为64.8％，阳性管率无显著性差异（X^2=0．18，P〉0．05），MPN值也无显著性差异（t=0．01，P〉0．05）。纸片法测定Ⅲ水功能区（t=0.04）较Ⅳ水功能区（t=0．18）效果更好。纸片法快速测定地表水中的粪大肠菌群在苏州地区是适用的。     

Mortality rates of pathogen indicator microorganisms discharged from point and non-point sources in an urban area

This research measured the mortality rates of pathogen indicator microorganisms discharged from various point and non-point sources in an urban area.Water samples were collected from a domestic sewer,a combined sewer overflow,the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant,and an urban river.Mortality rates of indicator microorganisms in sediment of an urban river were also measured.Mortality rates of indicator microorganisms in domestic sewage,estimated by assuming first order kinetics at 20°C were 0.197 day -1 ,0.234 day -1 ,0.258 day -1 and 0.276 day -1 for total coliform,fecal coliform,Escherichia coli,and fecal streptococci,respectively.Effects of temperature,sunlight irradiation and settlement on the mortality rate were measured.Results of this research can be used as input data for water quality modeling or can be used as design factors for treatment facilities.     

沼液贮存及田间施用后大肠菌群的消长动态

以猪场粪污水厌氧发酵产生的沼液为材料,分别在冬春季和夏秋季对其采用加盖和无盖2种方式贮存,定期检测沼液中大肠菌群数量;通过田间生菜种植试验,定期施用大肠菌群数量(以下均以CFU计)分别为104(WF)、105(LF)、106(MF)和107g-1(HF)的沼液,在沼液施用完毕后第3、10、17和24天检测土壤、生菜表面和生菜体内大肠菌群数量。结果表明:夏秋季大肠菌群存活时间较长,沼液无盖贮存可使大肠菌群数量减少。沼液贮存50 d后,除冬春季无盖贮存的沼液中大肠菌群数量达到GB 8978—2002《污水综合排放标准》中三级排放要求,可以排放以外,其他处理均未达到排放要求。沼液中大肠菌群数量越高,经农田施用后土壤中大肠菌群数量越多,生菜表面和体内大肠菌群数量也越高,但随时间延长大肠菌群数量变化略有不同。检测期内,WF处理农田土壤中大肠菌群数量显著低于其他处理;沼液施毕后第3天,WF处理生菜表面及体内大肠菌群数量均显著小于HF和MF处理;24 d时各处理生菜体内大肠菌群数量均检测不到,达到GB 4789.3—2010《食品安全国家标准食品微生物学检验大肠菌群计数》要求,生菜表面大肠菌群数量对数值小于3.51,但未达GB 4789.3—2010要求。     

Estimation of fecal Coliform removal from domestic sewage in two sand filter column systems

The objective of the present research is to compare fecal coliform removal from two different sand column systems treating septic tank effluent over a range of hydraulic loading rates. Drain time measurements were performed to compare the hydraulic characteristic of the column systems at different hydraulic loading rates. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and pH were also measured for the septic tank effluent. A removal of the order of 99% for fecal coliform, TSS, and BOD in column effluent was achieved using the sand filter columns. The ‘break‐in’ period for determining the effectiveness of the sand filter columns is also discussed.     

Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as a Source of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Freshwater Systems1

Habersack, Mathew J., Theo A. Dillaha, and Charles Hagedorn, 2011. Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as a Source of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Freshwater Systems. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(6):1255–1260. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00572.x Abstract: The United States Total Maximum Daily Load program is required by Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act to clean up waters that do not meet state water quality standards. While conducting research into the bacterial composition of semiaquatic mammal feces, the opportunity presented itself to quantify commonly used pathogen indicator bacteria in the gastrointestinal contents from an ectothermic (cold‐blooded) animal, the common snapping turtle. Indicator bacteria concentrations were on the order of 10⁶ CFU/g feces (dry weight basis). The estimated bacterial loadings from this study demonstrate that the common snapping turtle, if present in sufficient numbers, may contribute significant bacterial loadings to waterways and should be considered when developing bacterial Total Maximum Daily Loads and in other bacterial water quality assessments.     

舟山市海洋贝类生物体内的细菌学研究

对浙江省舟山市各区县海洋贝类体内细菌数量及优势细菌种类进行了初步研究。根据2004年8月的采样和实验室分析,结果表明,贝类生物体内的优势种为少动鞘氨醇单胞菌、温和气单胞菌、欧文氏菌属等,一些能够诱发疾病的如杀鲑气单胞菌、溶藻弧菌、腐败假单胞菌等的出现应当引起重视。对生物体内的细菌数量检测发现,弧菌和粪大肠菌群数量都比较高,弧菌的测值范围为50个/克~1.8×104个/克,几何平均为9.3×102个/克;粪大肠菌群的测值范围为2.0~23个/克,几何平均为12.0个/克,超国家海洋生物体内粪大肠菌群二类标准,超标率为91.7%。     

CONCENTRATION AND SOURCES OF FECAL AND ORGANIC POLLUTION IN AN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: Fecal contamination and organic pollution of an agricultural drainage in northeast Indiana was high. Bacterial counts (total coliform, TC; fecal coliform, FC; and fecal streptococcus, FS) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were used to assess waste concentrations. Coliform counts indicated that sections of the drainage receiving septic effluent had waste concentrations far in excess of public health standards (mean FC = 550,000/100 ml). Areas of drainage remote from septic tank pollution were found to occasionally meet federal public health standards for whole body contact recreation but generally these areas had twice the allowable limit of 200 FC/100 ml. Bacterial contamination was highest during runoff events when the median values for TC, FC, and FS were 5, 3, and 17 times greater, respectively, than the median values during low stream discharge. Surface flows carried contaminants from unconfined livestock operations and fecally contaminated sediment was transported by high waters. During one runoff event a BOD loading of 36.7 kg/km² was recorded and the peak BOD concentration observed was 16 mg/l. A discharge of liquid manure from a confined livestock operation caused a major fish kill. Pollution from septic tanks and unconfined livestock is greatest at high stream discharge when dilution reduces the impact on aquatic life.     

FECAL COLIFORM AND STREPTOCOCCUS CONCENTRATIONS IN RUNOFF FROM GRAZED PASTURES IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS1

ABSTRACT: Agricultural practices such as cattle grazing and animal manure application can contribute to relatively high runoff concentrations of fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococcus (FS). Available information, however, is inconsistent with respect to the effects of such practices as well as to measures that can discriminate among candidate sources of FC and FS. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of grazing, time of year, and runoff amounts on FC and FS concentrations and to evaluate whether FCIFS concentration ratios are consistent with earlier values reported as characteristic of animal sources. Runoff from four Northwest Arkansas fields was sampled and analyzed for fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococcus (FS) for nearly three years (1991–1994). Each field was grazed and fertilized, with two fields receiving inorganic fertilizer and two receiving animal manure. Runoff amount had no effect on runoff concentrations of FC or FS. There were no consistent relationships between the presence of cattle and FC and FS runoff concentrations. Both FC and FS concentrations were affected by the season during which the runoff occurred. Higher concentrations were observed during warmer months. Runoff FC concentrations exceeded the primary contact standard of 200 cfu/100 mL during at least 89 percent of all runoff events and the secondary contact standard of 1000 cfu/100 mL during at least 70 percent of the events. Ratios of FC to FS concentrations varied widely (from near zero to more than 100), confirming earlier findings that FC/FS ratios are not a reliable indicator of the source of FC and FS.