Microbial standards for recreational and shellfish-growing waters and the microbial quality of shellfish are based on levels of indicator bacteria. Because viruses are more resistant to sewage treatment methods and more persistent in marine waters than indicator bacteria, there is an urgent need for an indicator of viral contamination in those waters. Male-specific (F+) coliphages have properties that make them useful indicators of microbial and viral quality. They are easy to detect using simple techniques; they are detected relatively quickly (6-24 hours); and they can be separated into human and non-human groups. The US EPA has approved methods for coliphage detection in samples of groundwater (Methods 1601, Two-Step Enrichment; and 1602, Single Agar Layer). In this study, we applied those EPA-accepted methods, with modifications, to samples of estuarine water and shellfish taken from representative coastal areas in the United States. In addition, we used a membrane filtration coliphage detection and enumeration method (Direct Membrane Filtration) on water samples. A total of 64 samples of estuarine water and 62 samples of shellfish were collected and examined on a seasonal basis. The results show that these methods of coliphage detection work well in these types of samples, detecting somatic and/or male-specific coliphage at a range of sample sites differing in their proximity to known sources of fecal contamination. Somatic coliphages were detected in all water samples and in 90% of the shellfish samples. F+ coliphages were detected in 66% of the water samples and in 71% of the shellfish samples. Overall, coliphages were found in 100% of mussel samples, 97% of oyster samples, and 92% of hard clam samples. In most cases, a quantitative version of EPA Method 1601, the two-step enrichment, was better at detecting both types of coliphages than either of the other two methods. These results clearly show that the EPA groundwater methods for coliphages can be applied to estuarine waters and shellfish, providing an effective indicator virus system to aid in protecting bathers and consumers of shellfish from exposure to fecal contamination.
Presenter:
Greg Lovelace, Environmental Biologist/Lab Research Specialist
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
University of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Public Health
THE NOAA CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR OCEANS AND HUMAN HEALTH AT THE HOLLINGS MARINE LABORATORY
As a NOAA Center of Excellence for Oceans and Human Health, the research program at the Hollings Marine Lab (HML) is developing new methods and approaches to: (1) evaluate the health responses of marine organisms to stress, and (2) identify and characterize chemical and microbial threats to marine ecosystems and human health. To accomplish these research objectives the HML has established three core areas of focused effort and enhanced capacity: Marine Genomics, Environmental Chemistry, and Pathogen Source Tracking with research projects in each area.
Outreach and education cross-cuts all aspects of the program, linking research findings to public health protection. The goal of the Education program is to communicate knowledge and transfer technologies and skills produced by the HML Center of Excellence of OHH to diverse audiences. These include industry and academics, public health and resource professionals, teachers and students and public audiences. The initial focus is developing the linkages between HML/OHHI research activities and public health end users.
The HML is operated as a partnership laboratory by NOAA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the College of Charleston, and the Medical University of South Carolina. This unique partnership allows basic, applied and biomedical research expertise to initiate research and establish programs that link environmental conditions in the coastal zone to human health and socio-economic well being.
Presenter:
Susan Lovelace, Education Coordinator
Oceans and Human Health
Hollings Marine Laboratory
Charleston, North Carolina
Monday, July 11, 2005
2:00 p.m.
Pacific Ocean Science & Technology Building 723
Refreshments will be served after the seminar in POST 121
The Pacific Research Center for Marine Biomedicine (PRCMB) is a newly established center at the University of Hawaii dedicated to trans-disciplinary research designed to gain new knowledge about the profound impacts of the ocean on human health. The Center is funded by the National Science Foundation (OCE04-32479) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P50ES012740).
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