20th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
An Analysis of Microbiota in Forest Lake and Hazel Creek Lake
Ashley R. Styczynski
Dr. Michael Lockhart, Faculty Mentor
Recently, land surrounding one of the Kirksville water supplies was sold to cattle farmers. This led to controversy concerning the risk of fecal contamination from field run-off. Water samples were collected from five different locations in each of the Kirksville water supplies over a six-month period. Membrane filtration of water samples demonstrated the presence of coliforms, including E. coli. However, the occurrence of these microorganisms indicates no need for concern as E. coli is endogenous to many different environments in non-pathogenic forms. All samples demonstrated acceptable limits for total heterotrophic bacteria according to the standards set forth by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The samples that have been tested for the pathogenic E. coli strain O157:H7 have been found to be negative. This data may provide a valuable baseline for monitoring potential contamination in the future.
Keywords: microbiology, water sampling, environment, E. coli
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 29-4
Location: VH 1432
Time: 10:30 am