Bacteria Methods & Results
A three tiered approach is proposed to target areas for conservation practice implementation and to monitor the outcomes from the project.
Tier I will include standard enumeration of the indicator bacteria in streams near agricultural areas. In this case, either E. coli or fecal coliform will be measured in stream samples as indicated by tidal influence.
Tier II will involve microbial source tracking offered through a commercial laboratory. Only samples that have very high Tier I values will be considered for source tracking. Their techniques test for the presence of certain markers in water samples that are related to fecal contamination from humans, cattle, dogs, birds, etc.
Tier III will use cutting-edge techniques developed at the University of Connecticut using sequencing to specifically identify the sources of E. coli in water samples. This procedure involves extracting E. coli from both water and host fecal matter, culturing the bacteria, then cutting a specific gene that has been identified to display different sequences among hosts. We will then match water sample to host using sequencing. Tier III analysis will be conducted on samples in which E. coli is present and the source is uncertain based on Tier I and II sampling.
Ultimately the reduction in the Tier I samples will be used to evaluate outcomes, or through the elimination of sources identified in Tier II and III sampling.
Tier I will include standard enumeration of the indicator bacteria in streams near agricultural areas. In this case, either E. coli or fecal coliform will be measured in stream samples as indicated by tidal influence.
Tier II will involve microbial source tracking offered through a commercial laboratory. Only samples that have very high Tier I values will be considered for source tracking. Their techniques test for the presence of certain markers in water samples that are related to fecal contamination from humans, cattle, dogs, birds, etc.
Tier III will use cutting-edge techniques developed at the University of Connecticut using sequencing to specifically identify the sources of E. coli in water samples. This procedure involves extracting E. coli from both water and host fecal matter, culturing the bacteria, then cutting a specific gene that has been identified to display different sequences among hosts. We will then match water sample to host using sequencing. Tier III analysis will be conducted on samples in which E. coli is present and the source is uncertain based on Tier I and II sampling.
Ultimately the reduction in the Tier I samples will be used to evaluate outcomes, or through the elimination of sources identified in Tier II and III sampling.