Wanless, D. R., University of Miami, Miami, USA, David.Wanless@noaa.gov
Sinigalliano, C. D., CIMAS/NOAA, Miami, USA, Chris.Sinigalliano@noaa.gov

INTEGRATING MICROBIAL SOURCE-TRACKING MARKERS WITH BACTERIAL INDICATORS TO BETTER CHARACTERIZE WATER QUALITY AT A SOUTH FLORIDA RECREATIONAL BEACH

The monitoring of recreational waters is important to gauge potential risks to human health. The traditional methods currently used are time-intensive (18 hours to test results) and only quantify a small number of indicating bacteria. New molecular techniques are capable of delivering faster and more detailed results. By integrating these molecular techniques with classical culture methods, one can achieve a much more detailed assessment of which microbial contaminants may be polluting beaches. In this study, water and sand samples taken from beach sites of a future epidemiological study were analyzed to gather base-line information for the beach. A variety of molecular assays were utilized, including quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays targeting microbial source-tracking markers for Enterococci 23S rDNA, total Bacteroides, Bacteroides human-specific markers (HuBac and HF-8 gene cluster), and dog-specific Bacteroides markers. Other PCR assays tested presence/absence of Enterococci-esp human marker, E.coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Campylobacter jejuni. By comparing results of these assays with the classical techniques, a better understanding can be achieved of not just the level of pollution, but who the primary microbial contributors are.

Poster presentation

Presentation is given by student: Yes
Session #:120
Date: 03-03-2008
Time: 17:30 - 19:30