Date of Award
Winter 2011
Abstract
Escherichia coli ribotyping was used to identify fecal contamination sources in Grommet Creek- a tidal creek that drains into Great Bay and contaminates shellfishing beds. Water samples were collected during late summer through late fall. Fecal samples were collected to establish a local source species database. Fecal indicator bacteria were enumerated from water samples and ribotyping was conducted by using EcoR1 restriction enzyme digestion and an automated RiboPrinter(c). There was consistent relative abundance between source types with wild animals and birds as the primary sources. An optimized approach for maximizing source identification involved using a 90% similarity threshold and prioritizing the first (local) database, then the second (larger area), and the third (regional) database for source identification. Using this approach, 67% of the E. coli water sample isolates were identified to sources, mainly as geese, deer, and fox, suggesting that diminishing of these sources could improve water quality.
First Advisor
Stephen H Jones
Department or Program
Natural Resources
Degree Name
Master of Science
Recommended Citation
Hussain, Sana B., "Optimized identification of fecal pollution sources in a rural tidal watershed in coastal New Hampshire" (2011). Master's Theses and Capstones. 686.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/686