Spatiotemporal Analysis of Distribution Patterns of the Pathogen E. Coli in an Urban Wetland
Date
2023
Authors
Contributor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a naturally occurring group of bacteria that is
ubiquitous throughout aquatic environments and tropical climates. Despite the multitude
of natural sources, E. coli may also originate from wastewater, and in high concentrations
can lead to severe health issues. This study set out to monitor E. coli concentrations
across a wetland that is surrounded by urban land uses, including wastewater
infrastructure, cemented stream beds capturing runoff, parking lots, and a highway. The
approach to understanding the distribution patterns of E. Coli over space and time was to
collect monthly water samples at 20 different locations across the wetland. I hypothesized
that E. coli distributions would vary according to proximity to wastewater infrastructure,
runoff from parking lots and roads, and springs delivering groundwater to the wetland.
On the temporal scale, the hypotheses explored E. coli surges in relation to rainfall events
linked to surface runoff, or alternatively, to higher temperatures relating to stagnant water
bodies on the wetland. All water samples were processed and analyzed using an IDEXX
Colilert 100 mL format system for quantification according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. In contrast to predictions, the primary determinant of E. coli concentrations
was spatial, with the highest concentrations along the eastern sector, perhaps associated
with the indirect connection to an outflow. There was no correlation found with rainfall
although there were no major precipitation events during the course of study.
Description
Keywords
E. coli, Fecal Bacteria, Urban Wetland
Citation
Extent
38
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
Rights Holder
Dela Cruz, Brandon
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.