Microbiological Quality Assessment of Watershed Associated with Animal-Based Agriculture in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Environmental problems many times could evolve when manure-containing pathogens are distributed into an open environment with no effort made to reduce the content of pathogens or limit their movement in the environment. Wind, surface flow, and subsurface flow can all carry enough pathogens to receiving waters to exceed water quality standards. This study was conducted to assess the microbiological quality of water associated with animal-based agriculture in the sub-basin of Pinhal River located in the rural area of Concordia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Six sampling points representing different agricultural land uses (LU1-dairy cattle; LU2-without animals; LU3-dairy + pigs + poultry + crops; LU4-pigs + poultry + crops; LU5-dairy + pigs + poultry + crops + human; and LU6-dairy+pigs+crops) along the Pinhal River sub-basin (north to south) were sampled biweekly from August 2006 to December 2008. Concentrations of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli varied significantly (p≤0.05) with land use (LU), but there was no interaction effect of LU, season, and time. Water samples from the catchment area of LU1 had the highest concentration of fecal coliforms (4,479±597 CFU ml −1 ) when compared with other catchment areas. Catchment area associated with LU2 (no animal) had the lowest concentrations of fecal coliforms (39.2±5.2 CFU ml −1 ). With the exception of LU2 (control site), all the maximum concentrations of E. coli exceeded the single maximum allowable concentration for E. coli (100 CFU ml −1 ). When LU1 was compared with other catchment areas (LU3, 50%; LU4, 67%; LU5, 58%; and LU6, 44%), it had the lowest counts (39%) of Salmonella sp. Our results suggest that spatial pattern of bacterial water quality is evident, which can be linked to the different land uses and associated practices (present or absent of animal activities). Therefore, varying responses associated with the different land uses would be critical in identifying the importance of different sources of bacteria in the catchment area and the mechanisms transferring them.

Levels and patterns of fecal indicator bacteria in stormwater runoff from homogenous land use sites and urban watersheds

“…Bacteria in stormwater runoff from developed and undeveloped land uses often result in high levels in downstream receiving waters (Edwards et al 1997;Crowther et al 2002;Sigua et al 2010). Increased bacteria levels can cause management concerns in terms of public and ecological health and can affect the ability of areas to achieve intended recreational uses (Jones 1997).…”

Microbiological quality and genotoxic potential of surface water located above the Guarani aquifer

“…The presence of Salmonella spp. in biofertilizer has already been described (Fongaro et al 2014), and also the contamination of water bodies caused by land use (Sigua et al 2009). Schneider et al (2009) isolated E. coli from Suruvi river (surface water) and wells located near the river (groundwater), and the results showed that from the 205 E. coli isolates, more than a half were resistant to antibiotics (63 % from groundwater and 52 % from surface water).…”

Prevalence of indicator and pathogenic bacteria in a tropical river of Western Ghats, India

“…The relatively high levels of prevalence of pathogenic bacteria during the rainy season suggest high influx of sewage, soil leaching and flooding as well as good survival capabilities of these microorganisms to changing hydrographic parameters (Mohamed et al 2008). Sigua et al (2010) too have demonstrated that a positive relationship exists between the variability of faecal contamination levels and agricultural cover. This substantiates the mounting risk of enhanced contamination occurring rapidly during the rainy season as agricultural cover increases.…”

“…Pathogenic bacteria which may cause serious problem for human health have been studied mostly for their survival in the aquatic ecosystem (Sood et al 2008;Nagvenkar and Ramaiah 2009;Harakeh et al 2006;Servais et al 2007;Sigua et al 2010). Servaais et al (2007) studied faecal contamination of the main rivers of the Seine watershed (Seine, Marne, Oise rivers) and found high levels of microbiological pollution when compared to European guidelines for bathing waters.…”