Estimating Sonoran pronghorn abundance and survival with fecal DNA and capture–recapture methods

Population abundance estimates are important for management but can be challenging to determine in low‐density, wide‐ranging, and endangered species, such as Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis). The Sonoran pronghorn population has been increasing; however, population estimates are currently derived from a biennial aerial count that does not provide survival or recruitment estimates. We identified individuals through noninvasively collected fecal DNA and used robust‐design capture–recapture to estimate abundance and survival for Sonoran pronghorn in the United States from 2013 to 2014. In 2014 we generated separate population estimates for pronghorn gathered near 13 different artificial water holes and for pronghorn not near water holes. The population using artificial water holes had 116 (95% CI 102–131) and 121 individuals (95% CI 112–132) in 2013 and 2014, respectively. For all locations, we estimated there were 144 individuals (95% CI 132–157). Adults had higher annual survival probabilities (0.83, 95% CI 0.69–0.92) than fawns (0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.65). Our use of targeted noninvasive genetic sampling and capture–recapture with Sonoran pronghorn fecal DNA was an effective method for monitoring a large proportion of the population. Our results provided the first survival estimates for this population in over 2 decades and precise estimates of the population using artificial water holes. Our method could be used for targeted sampling of broadly distributed species in other systems, such as in African savanna ecosystems, where many species congregate at watering sites.     

Colonies of Cliff Swallows on Highway Bridges: A Source of Escherichia coli in Surface Waters1

Sejkora, Patrick, Mary Jo Kirisits, and Michael Barrett, 2011. Colonies of Cliff Swallows on Highway Bridges: A Source of Escherichia coli in Surface Waters. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(6):1275–1284. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00566.x Abstract: Animals, such as birds, are a source of fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens in the environment. Our objective was to determine whether a colony of cliff swallows nesting underneath a bridge would yield a measurable increase in fecal indicator bacteria (specifically Escherichia coli) in the underlying creek. When the swallows were absent, dry‐weather concentrations of E. coli upstream and downstream of the bridge (in Austin, Texas) were below the Texas contact recreation criteria. When the swallows were present, dry‐weather geometric‐mean E. coli concentrations increased significantly from upstream (43 most probable number [MPN]/100 ml) to downstream (106 MPN/100 ml) of the bridge. One exceedance and one near‐exceedance of the Texas single‐sample contact recreation criterion were observed during the swallows’ nesting phase. When the swallows were present, the downstream E. coli geometric‐mean concentration in storm events (875 MPN/100 ml) was significantly higher than the upstream concentration (356 MPN/100 ml), suggesting that runoff flushes swallow feces from the ground into the creek. Although the loading of E. coli from cliff swallows nesting under bridges can be significant (e.g., dry‐weather loading of 3.1 × 10⁸ MPN/day/nest), the zoonotic potential of the cliff swallow must be examined to determine the risk to human health from contact recreation in waters contaminated with cliff swallow feces.     

海河流域典型河流粪源性指示微生物的污染特征及其时空分布

当前,我国河流污染的监测、研究与治理甚少考虑微生物指标,导致国内大多河流的微生物污染状况不明.本研究以海河流域上游山区段永定河(张家口市)、中游平原段温榆河(北京市)和下游滨海段北运河(天津市)3段典型河流为对象,选取粪大肠菌群、大肠杆菌、肠球菌、SC噬菌体为指示微生物指标,开展了历时1年的野外调查,以期明确海河流域典型河流微生物污染的浓度水平及其时空分布特征.结果表明:除有机污染和富营养化问题外,3条河流也受到了较为严重的微生物污染.监测断面的肠球菌、大肠杆菌、粪大肠菌群、SC噬菌体的年平均浓度分别在1.039×103~9.168×105CFU·L-1、10~1.870×106CFU·L-1、1.43×102~8.105×106CFU·L-1、0~4.77×106PFU·L-1之间.曼-惠特尼U检验分析结果表明,流域内指示微生物浓度分布的季节性变化不显著;3条河流中,中游平原段温榆河因受污水处理厂退水排入河道的影响,微生物污染水平最高;上游山区段永定河虽有机污染较轻,但动物粪便污染严重,导致河流微生物污染状况亦不容乐观.为保障流域公共卫生安全和地下水安全,上游山区段农村畜禽粪便处理、中游平原段污水处理厂退水应得到进一步的关注与管理.     

城市地表水中肠道病原微生物与粪便污染指示菌的关系研究

本研究选择肠道病毒、伤寒沙门氏菌、志贺氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌作为城市水体中典型的肠道病原微生物,分别建立起相应的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法.对水源水、景观娱乐用水以及城市河流样品进行长期监测,考察典型肠道病原微生物的分布特征和变化规律.肠道病毒在各地表水体中都有检出,浓度大都在103copy·L-1以下.大肠埃希氏菌的含量在保护良好的水体和接纳城市污水的水体中有明显差别,而伤寒沙门氏菌和志贺氏菌通常出现在受粪便污染较重的水体中.统计学的分析结果显示各种水体中的肠道病原微生物检出浓度均符合对数正态分布规律.粪便污染指示菌与肠道病毒之间不存在显著的相关性,但却能在一定程度上反映典型肠道病原菌的存在情况.在大肠菌群或粪大肠菌群浓度为104CFU·L-1以上的样品中,伤寒沙门氏菌、志贺氏菌具有较高的阳性率.     

ACCOMMODATING CHANGE OF BACTERIAL INDICATORS IN LONG TERM WATER QUALITY DATASETS1

ABSTRACT: In 1996, the State of Oregon adopted a water quality standard based on Escherichia coli (E. coli), recognizing E. coli as an indicator of pathogenic potential. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) began analysis for E. coli that same year. The Oregon DEQ continued collection and analysis of fecal coliform (a prior indicator organism) for data input to bacterial loading models and the Oregon Water Quality Index (OWQI). The OWQI is a primary indicator of general water quality for the Oregon DEQ and the Oregon Progress Board. The objective of this study was to develop a regression relationship between fecal coliform and E. coli. This relationship would fill data gaps and extend water quality models and indicators. Water quality policy is better informed by the ability of these extended water quality models to determine whether water quality meets present or would have met past bacterial standards. Monitoring resources spent on dual bacterial analyses could be conserved. This study also showed that changes to OWQI values (as a result of changing bacterial indicators) were minimal, and corresponded to improved characterization of water quality with respect to pathogenic potential.     

ESCHERICHIA COLI SURVIVAL IN MANTLED KARST SPRINGS AND STREAMS,NORTHWEST ARKANSAS OZARKS,USA1

Recent studies indicate fecal coliform bacterial concentrations, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), characteristically vary by several orders of magnitude, depending on the hydrology of storm recharge and discharge. E. coli concentrations in spring water increase rapidly during the rising limb of a storm hydrograph, peak prior to or coincident with the peak of the storm pulse, and decline rapidly, well before the recession of the storm hydrograph. This suggests E. coli are associated with resuspension of sediment during the onset of turbulent flow, and indicates viable bacteria reside within the spring and stream sediments. E. coli inoculated chambers were placed in spring and stream environments within the mantled karst of northwest Arkansas to assess long term (> 75 days) E. coli viability. During the 75‐day study, a 4‐log die‐off of E. coli was observed for chambers placed in the Illinois River, and a 5‐log die‐off for chambers placed in Copperhead Spring. Extrapolation of the regression line for each environment indicates E. coli concentration would reach 1 most probable number (MPN)/100 g sediment at Copperhead Spring in about 105 days, and about 135 days in the Illinois River, based on a starting inoculation of 2.5 × 107 MPN E. coli/100 g of sediment. These in situ observations indicate it is possible for E. coli to survive in these environments for at least four months with no fresh external inputs.     

渤、黄海沿岸几种经济贝类及其生存环境中的粪大肠菌群

报道了渤、黄海 6个重点沿岸海域 (吕泗、青岛、北戴河、盘锦、大连和庄河 )表层海水和几种经济贝类中的粪大肠菌群 (FC)检测结果。结果表明 ,16个表层海水样品中的FC含量波动范围为 <4 0～≥ 4 80 0 0 /L。 36个经济贝类样品中的FC数为 <2～≥ 2 4 0 0 /g鲜重。上述结果说明 ,渤、黄海某些重点沿岸海域 (如青岛、北戴河沿岸 )受人畜粪便等生活污水和人为活动影响较严重 ,海域环境卫生状况不容乐观 ,需加强规划和治理力度。     

浅谈城市粪便的可持续利用

从可持续发展的概念出发提出了城市粪便可持续利用的发展战略,分析了城市粪便可持续利用存在的障碍,提出了相应的对策.     

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.     

Antibiotic resistance analysis of fecal coliforms to determine fecal pollution sources in a mixed-use watershed

Antibiotic resistance analysis was performed on fecal coliform(FC) bacteria from a mixed-use watershed to determine thesource, human or nonhuman, of fecal coliform contamination. The study consisted of discriminant analysis of antibioticresistance patterns generated by exposure to fourconcentrations of six antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicinsulfate, kanamycin, spectinomycin dihydrochloride,streptomycin sulfate, and tetracycline hydrochloride). Areference database was constructed from 1125 fecal coliformisolates from the following sources: humans, domestic animals(cats and dogs), agricultural animals (chickens, cattle, andhorses), and wild animals. Based on similar antibioticresistance patterns, cat and dog isolates were grouped asdomestic animals and horse and cattle isolates were grouped aslivestock. The resulting average rate of correctclassification (ARCC) for human and nonhuman isolates was94%. A total of 800 FC isolates taken from the watershedduring either a dry event or a wet event were classifiedaccording to source. Human sources contribute a majority(>50%) of the baseflow FC isolates found in the watershed inurbanized areas. Chicken and livestock sources areresponsible for the majority of the baseflow FC isolates foundin the rural reaches of the watershed. Stormwater introducesFC isolates from domestic (16%) and wild (21%) sourcesthroughout the watershed and varying amounts (up to 60%) fromchicken and livestock sources. These results suggest thatantibiotic resistance patterns of FC may be used to determinesources of fecal contamination and aid in the direction ofwater quality improvement.