ABSTRACT: Water samples from local ponds and lakes and snow runoff were collected and tested for coliform as well as Escherichia coli. Humans as well as animals come into contact with these areas, some are used for recreational activities such as swimming and some are a source of drinking water for both animals and humans The main goal of this experiment was to see which lakes, snow run off and ponds tested positive for coliform or Escherichia coli and to come up with some reasoning as to why. It was found that the more remote pond with less contact contained the most Escherichia coli. However, another lake that many swim in and use as their drinking water indeed tested positive for a small amount of Escherichia coli. The two samples from the snow showed negative results for both coliform and Escherichia coli and the two more public ponds that aren’t as commonly used as a source of human drinking water but animal drinking water tested in the higher range for coliforms but in the little to no Escherichia coli range. It was concluded that the remote pond should be avoided as it’s not a safe source of drinking water for humans or animals. Other than that, the the other ponds are likely to be safe from Escherichia coli, but coliforms are a risk factor.
INTRODUCTION: There are over 50 lakes and ponds in Cumberland County, Maine, all of various sizes and shapes. Many of these lakes serve different purposes, from hydrating plants to being a source of water for both animals and humans. With this responsibility, comes the question, are these ponds and lakes safe drinking water for animals and humans? Contaminated water poses a risk for both humans and animals.
A coliform bacterial is a bacterium that has the following charact...
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... Gorham, Maine, and two runoff snowbanks both located on the USM campus in Gorham. The main goal of this experiment was to see which lakes and ponds tested positive for coliform of Escherichia coli and to come up with some reasoning as to why. It was expected that many of the lakes would test positive for Escherichia coli given that there are plants as well as animals and fish that come in contact with the water. Both snowbanks were negative for coliforms as well as Escherichia coli indicating that there won’t be any contamination from these places running into ponds. Hinckley Reserve and Sebago Lake tested positive for coliforms we well as Escherichia coli. The pond near the turf field at USM tested high for both coliforms as well as Escherichia coli. This was certainly the most dangerous water sample taken, meaning it should not be consumed nor swam in.
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Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family of organisms. It is a non-spore forming, facultative anaerobic, gram negative rod capable of growing on a variety of media and, similar to other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, contains the enterobacterial common antigen. Most E. coli are part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract, however some strains are pathogenic and capable of causing clinical disease. Epidemiologic classification of E. coli is based on the expression of certain surface antigens. The three of greatest importance are the somatic O polysaccharide (part of the lipopolysaccharide or Gram negative endotoxin), the K antigens (part of the capsule), and the H antigens (flagellin proteins). The bacteria regulate the expression of these antigens through antigenic phase variation. This process allows the organism to selectively express or not express the antigens, which aids in protection from antibody-mediated cell death. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are strains that produce exotoxins (particularly verotoxins) that result in hemorrhage of the intestinal mucosa. There are several serotypes of EHEC; the most clinically significant is O157:H7.
This assignment has encouraged me to do research on the lake that shaped my childhood and founded my love for New Hampshire and for water itself. Apparently, most professionals consider the state of Lake Winnipesaukee to be “good,” other research would show that the overall quality of the lake has been in a declining state for the past ten years. The beach has experienced closings due to e. Coli, which, according to the Center for Disease Control, can cause abdominal cramping and several bowel issues. The lake has also experienced a decrease in wildlife populations, namely of fish and loon (Winnipesaukee Gateway).
The Chesapeake Bay is polluted with agricultural waste. We see things like 1.5 billion pounds of chicken waste that no one wants to take responsibility for. Ignoring standards, a waterway was tested for E. coli; the standard is 125 FCU/100ml of water. Yet this waterway’s level was at 48392 FCU/100ml. An industry that will go to great lengths to make sure that Congress doesn’t impose sanction against them.
E. Coli 0157, written by Mary Heersink, is a nerve-racking, adrenaline-filled story of a mother's experience with a then unknown deadly bacteria. The book brings up many reactions in its readers, especially the questioning of the practice of doctors in hospitals. The reader's knowledge base of scientific procedures in emergency centers was widened as well as the knowledge of how to the human body reacts to different agents in its system.
The algal growths in the lake feed on phosphorus mostly caused by fertilizer runoff from farms and local residences. Microcystin, a toxin that causes liver problems, is produced by the growths have caused major health concerns for wildlife and people using the lake. It is our moral obligation to clean up this mess or it will continue to harm the wildlife and environment in and the lake, as we are the one’s solely responsible for it. Organizations such as the Ohio EPA and Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow, have taken a notice to the pollution of Buckeye Lake and are formulating plans to return the lake to its former glory. Our plan is to provide a short term solution for the lake via the process of dredging, while a much larger and permanent solution is put in
Water pollution is a problem progressing nationwide. Wildlife, and humans, can be significantly impacted by polluted water. Multiple factors can aggravate fragile ecosystems. Pollutants from waste water treatment plants, colossal urban development, and industry runoffs, are a few, among hundreds of causes of pollution. In the documentary “Poisoned Waters”, Hedrick Smith tries to find an explanation for the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay.
Problems like these are just one of the many causes of water pollution. Coal, storm water, and pigs are some of the biggest threats to the Cape Fear River, the ocean, and other bodies of water that surround Wilmington. In this paper, we will focus on causes and effects of water pollution then look at some possible solutions for the problems, particularly here in Wilmington.
A tremendous amount of toxins in Lake Erie has caused more than a half-million residents in Northwest Ohio to be deprived of drinking water. The recent drinking-water crisis was brought on by a harmful algae bloom (HAB). HABs occur when excess nitrogen and phosphorus are present in lakes and streams. Lake Erie, which is a source of drinking water for the Toledo water system has been impacted. Flooded by tides of phosphorus mainly from farm fertilizer runoff and sewage treatment plants, leaving behind toxins that have contributed to oxygen-deprived dead zones where fish can’t survive. The toxins can kill animals and sicken humans. Lucas County Health Department Officials state that “residents consuming contaminated water should know the following:
Household bacteria have always been a problem. Millions of people each year get some sort of sickness from bacteria in their kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc. What if there were bacteria in your kitchen that could be deadly? This bacterium is called Escherichia coli. According to Oregon health Authority: “By one estimate, 10,000 to 20,000 E coli. Infections occur in the United States each year.” Many of us use disinfectants such as Clorox and Bleach every day but are these disinfe...
E. coli is a bacteria that normally lives inside the intestines of humans. There are many different strains some of which, cause human infections. E. coli infections are normally started through cross contamination with feces or stool of human or animals. E. coli is able to case Urinary Tract Infection because it resides around the anus. Since the anus and the urethra are so closely connected in women, this allows for direct transmission of E. coli. The virulence factor of E. coli is extremely unique because it helps the microorganism over power the body natural defense mechanism, taking over the host (Result filters).
There are many types of recreational water illnesses such as diarrhea, cryptosporidium, giardia, hot tub rash, legionella, swimmers ear, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus MRSA, and pinworm. Contributors to recreational water illnesses include, feces, unfiltered water, diaper-aged children (newborns through at least age 4), sewage spills, animal waste, water runoff (following a rainfall), and swallowing recreational water (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This mainly affects children, pregnant women and people with a compromised immune system.
Unfortunately, most of the waterborne disease outbreaks are the product of failures and system deficiencies (Craun & Calderon, 2001). Today, the water filtration system has greater prevention capacities which decrease the chances of outbreaks (Burlage, 2012). However, accidents happen all the time. One of the most notorious biological contaminants in waterborne disease is Cryptosporidium, which is responsible for one of an essential waterborne outbreak in US soil (Burlage, 2012). According to Bridge et al. (2010), waterborne diseases that derive from microbes are related to environmental processes and can be identified by establishing the concentration of the pathogen in the surface, ground and coastal waters. Microbial contamination is the
Drinking water is essential to life, yet it is naturally exposed to pathogens and chemical, physical and radiological contaminants. These organisms can affect human health, both in the short-term and the long-term, and are known to contribute to a large range of adverse health effects including cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive problems, the disruption of the endocrine system, and gastrointestinal illnesses. For these reasons, it is important that standards and guidelines are set to protect the human population. Standards ensure that our water is safe, clean, tasty and healthy.
The consumption of contaminated water can be dangerous for health reasons and several people have passed away from these water-borne diseases. Some of these diseases include Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery, Giardiasis, and Malaria. These unfortunate diseases are currently the cause of numerous deaths, especially in small children. The availability of clean water can prevent many problems in low-income communities. The available resources for clean water are very rare, so these water sources need to pass through a process of water sanitation in order to just be sustainable to drink, “The world’s surface is made up of approximately 80% water, which is an indestructible substance.