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Multi‐Year Microbial Source Tracking Study Characterizing Fecal Contamination in an Urban Watershed
Author(s) -
Bushon Rebecca N.,
Brady Amie M.G.,
Christensen Eric D.,
Stelzer Erin A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143016x14798353399412
Subject(s) - tributary , watershed , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , fecal coliform , contamination , urban stream , base flow , water quality , stormwater , source tracking , streamflow , indicator bacteria , streams , drainage basin , environmental engineering , ecology , geography , surface runoff , biology , geology , cartography , computer network , geotechnical engineering , machine learning , world wide web , computer science
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the river. The E. coli water quality threshold was exceeded in 29% of base‐flow and 89% of storm‐event samples. The total contribution of E. coli and MST markers from tributaries within Independence to the Little Blue River, regardless of streamflow, did not significantly increase the median concentrations leaving the city. Daily loads and yields of E. coli and MST markers were used to rank the subbasins according to their contribution of each constituent to the river. The ranking methodology used in this study may prove useful in prioritizing remediation in the different subbasins.