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FECAL‐INDICATOR BACTERIA IN STREAMS ALONG A GRADIENT OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT 1
Author(s) -
Frenzel Steven A.,
Couvillion Charles S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2002.tb01550.x
Subject(s) - indicator bacteria , fecal coliform , environmental science , streams , hydrology (agriculture) , water quality , combined sewer , coliform bacteria , stormwater , feces , storm , bacteria , population , ecology , biology , surface runoff , geography , environmental health , medicine , computer network , genetics , geotechnical engineering , meteorology , computer science , engineering
Fecal‐indicator bacteria were sampled at 14 stream sites in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, as part of a study to determine the effects of urbanization on water quality. Population density in the subbasins sampled ranged from zero to 1,750 persons per square kilometer. Higher concentrations of fecal‐coliform, E. coli , and enterococci bacteria were measured at the most urbanized sites. Although fecal‐indicator bacteria concentrations were higher in summer than in winter, seasonal differences in bacteria concentrations generally were not significant. Areas served by sewer systems had significantly higher fecal‐indicator bacteria concentrations than did areas served by septic systems. The areas served by sewer systems also had storm drains that discharged directly to the streams, whereas storm sewers were not present in the areas served by septic systems. Fecal‐indicator bacteria concentrations were highly variable over a two‐day period of stable streamflow, which may have implications for testing of compliance to water‐quality standards.