E. coli surveillance and microbial source tracking in an Inland lake
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Swimming-associated gastroenteritis at freshwater beaches have been linked to E. coli density, making continuous monitoring and source identification essential for water quality management. This study aimed to monitor fecal contamination in an inland lake over swimming seasons. Fecal contamination levels were assessed using culture-based E. coli counts and ddPCR assays (EC23S for E. coli, AllBac for Bacteroides spp.), while microbial source tracking markers (HF183 for human, ND2 for goose) were adopted to identify primary fecal sources. During the study period, ND2 was frequently detected and showed strong, consistent associations with culture-based E. coli (β = 0.297, p < 0.01; β = 0.323, p < 0.1) and AllBac gene concentrations (β = 0.216, p < 0.01; β = 0.166, p < 0.05). In contrast, HF183 levels were much lower and inconsistently related to fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). Model comparisons revealed that removing ND2 significantly reduced model performance, while HF183 had minimal explanatory power. This suggests that goose feces, rather than human waste, were the primary source of fecal contamination at the sampling sites. Additionally, the strong correlation observed between culture-based and ddPCR-based E. coli measurements (β = 0.41, p < 0.01; β = 0.64, p < 0.01) underscores the reliability of ddPCR as a viable tool for quantifying E. coli in recreational waters. Finally, the study highlights the importance of understanding location-specific effects on water quality and FIB levels.
Source: Total Environment Microbiology
Authors: Xin Li, Jianfeng Wu, Qixue Cui, Chuanwu Xi
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,800
OpenAlex ID: W7155090827