Open AccessThe Application and Suitability of Microbiological Tests for Fecal Bacteria in Pulp Mill Effluents: A Review
Author(s) -
Mark L. Tamplin
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
water quality research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.339
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2408-9443
pISSN - 1201-3080
DOI - 10.2166/wqrj.2003.016
Subject(s) - fecal coliform , effluent , indicator bacteria , feces , pulp (tooth) , pulp and paper industry , paper mill , pulp mill , environmental science , coliform bacteria , enteric bacteria , biology , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental engineering , ecology , engineering , escherichia coli , medicine , water quality , genetics , biochemistry , pathology , gene
Tests for fecal (thermotolerant) and total coliforms applied to drinking and recreational waters are convenient but not necessarily accurate indicators of the presence of pathogens originating from the intestines of warm-blooded animals. These tests may be inappropriate for analyses of complex industrial effluents such as pulp mill effluents, which may contain bacteria that yield a positive result in fecal and total coliform tests, even though no fecal source exists. Consequently, other more specific indicators for the presence of potential pathogens are needed. In cases where the sources of, or validity of, fecal responses are problematic, the direct examination of pathogens, and/or the use of new source-tracking techniques, such as DNA fingerprinting, may be better approaches for protecting public health.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom