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Fecal contamination of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) threatens human and environmental health, and is assessed by fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), which provides no information about contamination source. Microbial source tracking (MST) can identify human and animal contributors of fecal microorganisms, thereby helping prevent and remediate contamination.

 

We are working to assess relationships among FIB, MST markers and pathogens, and to quantify human health risk. We are developing a MST guide for government partners to improve decision-making on water quality issues throughout the GoM, and once the project is completed, we will hold a webinar to disseminate results of the project.

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Five water bodies were selected for investigation during this project: Hamilton Creek, Bullfrog Creek, Salt Creek, Frenchman Creek, and Tampa Bay at Northshore Park (Figure 1 below). Five DNA markers were used to analyze potential contributions to these water bodies (Table 1 below). Additionally, H8 in culturable E. coli was also used to identify potential sewage contamination.​​

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The project will be concluding in June of 2025. 

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