Faecal Coliform Levels in Mountain Streams of Winter Recreation Zones in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Forrester, Barry J.; Stott, Tim

doi:10.1080/14702541.2016.1156731

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…Prior studies on wilderness waters noted that both total coliform and E coli counts correlated with periods of peak human visitation. [24][25][26] Both of the snowmelt streams tested positive for the presence of enteric members of Bacteroides, and human feces-associated Bacteroides were found in 1 of these streams. We attribute these findings to fecal contamination from various sources, including wildlife and human fecal bacteria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differentiating Sources of Fecal Contamination to Wilderness Waters Using Droplet Digital PCR and Fecal Indicator Bacteria Methods

Pendergraph

Ranieri

Ermatinger

et al. 2021

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

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Introduction-Human activity in wilderness areas has the potential to affect aquatic ecosystems, including through the introduction of microorganisms associated with fecal contamination. We examined fecal microorganism contamination in water sources (lake outlets, snowmelt streams) in the popular Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in the United States. Although the region is remote, increasing human visitation has the potential to negatively affect water quality, with particular concern about humanderived microorganism fecal contaminants.Methods-We used standard fecal indicator bacterial assays that quantified total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli concentrations, together with more specific polymerase chain reaction-based microbial assays that identified possible human sources of fecal microorganisms in these waters.Results-Total coliforms were detected at all lake outlets (21 of 21 sites), and E coli was detected at 11 of 21 sites. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assays revealed the presence of human fecesderived microorganisms, albeit at abundances below the limit of detection (<10 gene copies per milliliter of water) at all but 1 of the sampling sites.Conclusions-Our results suggest low prevalence of water-borne pathogens (specifically E coli and human-derived Bacteroides) in this popular wilderness area. However, widespread detection of total coliforms, Bacteroides, and E coli highlight the importance of purifying water sources in wilderness areas before consumption. Specific sources of total coliforms and E coli in these waters remain unknown but could derive from wild or domesticated animals that inhabit or visit the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. Hence, although contamination by human fecal microorganisms appears minimal, human visitation could indirectly influence fecal contamination through domesticated animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%