Bacteriophage as an Alternative Indicator for Microbiological Pollution at Marine Beaches
Location
Nessmith-Lane Atrium
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Environmental Sciences & Sustainability
Abstract
Beaches contaminated by waterborne pathogens cause a variety of diseases. Studies show enterococci, a common fecal indicator bacteria, are not associated with emerging pathogens and bacteriophages could be better indicators for waterborne pathogens. This study examines the occurrence of two bacteriophages and their relation with enterococci in a marine beach known for high levels of pollution. Monthly samples were collected from four sites at Saint Andrews and Clam Creek Beach on Jekyll Island. Tidal influences were investigated by collecting samples at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH were also collected. US EPA Method 1602 was used to enumerate somatic and F bacteriophage and Method 1600 for Enterococci. Enterococci concentrations ranged from/ 100ml with lowest concentrations detected at 12 p.m. and highest at 4 p.m. Somatic bacteriophage numbers fluctuated between 9 and 30 PFU /100ml and F phage 1 to 4 PFU /100ml. For bacteriophages, highest concentrations were found at 7 a.m. There was no significant relationship between enterococci and bacteriophages. A significant correlation between somatic and F specific coliphage (p
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-16-2016 10:45 AM
End Date
4-16-2016 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Aslan, Asli, "Bacteriophage as an Alternative Indicator for Microbiological Pollution at Marine Beaches" (2016). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 141.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2016/2016/141
Bacteriophage as an Alternative Indicator for Microbiological Pollution at Marine Beaches
Nessmith-Lane Atrium
Beaches contaminated by waterborne pathogens cause a variety of diseases. Studies show enterococci, a common fecal indicator bacteria, are not associated with emerging pathogens and bacteriophages could be better indicators for waterborne pathogens. This study examines the occurrence of two bacteriophages and their relation with enterococci in a marine beach known for high levels of pollution. Monthly samples were collected from four sites at Saint Andrews and Clam Creek Beach on Jekyll Island. Tidal influences were investigated by collecting samples at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH were also collected. US EPA Method 1602 was used to enumerate somatic and F bacteriophage and Method 1600 for Enterococci. Enterococci concentrations ranged from/ 100ml with lowest concentrations detected at 12 p.m. and highest at 4 p.m. Somatic bacteriophage numbers fluctuated between 9 and 30 PFU /100ml and F phage 1 to 4 PFU /100ml. For bacteriophages, highest concentrations were found at 7 a.m. There was no significant relationship between enterococci and bacteriophages. A significant correlation between somatic and F specific coliphage (p
