A Comparative Analysis of Petrifilm and R-CARDs for Fecal Contamination Monitoring
Faculty Mentor
Lacey Huffling
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Completed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Education
Department
Department of Middle Grades and Secondary
Abstract
Safe water is essential for public health, yet microbiologically contaminated sources cause over 500,000 diarrhoeal deaths annually. In Georgia, the citizen science organization Georgia Adopt-A-Stream currently mandates Petrifilm for bacterial monitoring. However, providing multiple sampling options could increase volunteer participation. This case study compares the efficacy and feasibility of Petrifilm against an alternative method, R-CARDs, for identifying fecal contamination.
The study analyzed 27 samples from 15 different sites. Each method was tested in triplicate, resulting in 81 data points per method. Statistical analysis using a paired T-test revealed no significant difference in accuracy between Petrifilm and R-CARDs. Despite this quantitative parity, qualitative feedback from citizen scientists indicated a strong preference for R-CARDs. Participants reported that R-CARDs were easier to read and count, leading to higher confidence in their data reporting.
Given that both methods are comparable in cost and do not require sophisticated laboratory infrastructure, the results suggest that R-CARDs are a reliable and accessible alternative for field use. Incorporating R-CARDs as an approved method for Georgia Adopt-A-Stream would provide volunteers with greater flexibility without compromising data quality. Based on current findings, R-CARDs should be considered a viable and user-friendly sampling method for citizen science water quality monitoring in Georgia.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Aghughu, Emmanuel E.; Huffling, Lacey; Aslan, Asli; and Thaler, Mary, "A Comparative Analysis of Petrifilm and R-CARDs for Fecal Contamination Monitoring" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 191.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/191
A Comparative Analysis of Petrifilm and R-CARDs for Fecal Contamination Monitoring
Russell Union Ballroom
Safe water is essential for public health, yet microbiologically contaminated sources cause over 500,000 diarrhoeal deaths annually. In Georgia, the citizen science organization Georgia Adopt-A-Stream currently mandates Petrifilm for bacterial monitoring. However, providing multiple sampling options could increase volunteer participation. This case study compares the efficacy and feasibility of Petrifilm against an alternative method, R-CARDs, for identifying fecal contamination.
The study analyzed 27 samples from 15 different sites. Each method was tested in triplicate, resulting in 81 data points per method. Statistical analysis using a paired T-test revealed no significant difference in accuracy between Petrifilm and R-CARDs. Despite this quantitative parity, qualitative feedback from citizen scientists indicated a strong preference for R-CARDs. Participants reported that R-CARDs were easier to read and count, leading to higher confidence in their data reporting.
Given that both methods are comparable in cost and do not require sophisticated laboratory infrastructure, the results suggest that R-CARDs are a reliable and accessible alternative for field use. Incorporating R-CARDs as an approved method for Georgia Adopt-A-Stream would provide volunteers with greater flexibility without compromising data quality. Based on current findings, R-CARDs should be considered a viable and user-friendly sampling method for citizen science water quality monitoring in Georgia.
