Title:

G99-NPS-15 Microbial Source Tracking in Shoal Creek

Sponsor:

University of Missouri-Columbia/Carson

Project Manager:

Dr. Andy Carson
Office of Sponsored Programs
310 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

Project Period:

7/1/1999 - 10/31/2001

319 Grant Funds:

$9,880

Project Description:

Microbial Source Tracking in Shoal Creek

Shoal Creek is located in southwest Missouri and runs through Barry and Newton counties. Shoal Creek serves as a public water supply source for the cities of Neosho and Joplin and for the surrounding areas. The watershed is primarily agricultural, with cattle and poultry operations located throughout. Some chemical and biological monitoring have occurred and provided indications that animal or human waste currently contributes to water quality problems. There is a need to more closely identify the sources of contamination in order to determine the most effective land use management practices needed.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will provide four separate "batches" of water samples at quarterly intervals to the UMC's Vet School over a 12-month period. Between 20 and 40 individual bacterial colonies will be selected from each batch for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis. DNA from each colony will be extracted; digested with enzymes; fragments separated by electrophoresis in gel, patterns blotted onto membranes and hybridized to a labeled probe specific for E. coli. Patterns will emerge that are similar to bar codes in a retail store. These images will be digitized and stored in the computer database. Once the computer program has received some hundreds of samples, the pattern recognition system will begin to "learn" to associate certain patterns with particular host of origin. The program can then be "interrogated" in regard to the origin of DNA in water samples. A conclusion may then be drawn that X% of fecal coliforms in a particular water body came from livestock (e.g., swine or chickens) or human septage.

PRODUCTS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the sources of fecal coliform in southwestern Missouri's Shoal Creek;
2. To utilize one of the most accurate screening tools known as ribotyping; and
3. To provide quality information in support of the development of a required Total Maximum Daily Load study for Shoal Creek.

PROJECT SPONSOR

University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine

CONTACT

University of Missouri
College of Veterinary Medicine
C. A. Carson 573-884-7640