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Article

Influence of Physiographic Region on Pathogen Concentrations Between Stream Types

1
Information Technology and Systems Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
2
College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
3
Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2024, 16(22), 3218; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223218 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 7 October 2024 / Revised: 4 November 2024 / Accepted: 6 November 2024 / Published: 8 November 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Water and One Health)

Abstract

Predicting public health risk associated with exposure to and recreational use of surface waters is often challenging due to substantial variability in concentrations of pathogenic bacteria, even among seemingly similar streams. In this study, we document significant differences in the surface water concentrations of the common bacteria indicators Escherichia coli and fecal coliform between two major stream types—blackwater and redwater streams (p < 0.001). We propose and present evidence that these findings result from natural biogeochemical variation between physiographic regions (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that physiographic stream type may influence the degree of exposure to waterborne pathogens and risk of waterborne disease. Future research is needed to assess whether the inclusion of stream type in risk assessments can improve public health modeling and mapping.
Keywords: Escherichia coli; physiographic stream type; biogeochemistry; water quality; surface waters Escherichia coli; physiographic stream type; biogeochemistry; water quality; surface waters

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MDPI and ACS Style

Bradley, E.A.; Lockaby, B.G.; Steury, T.; Madere, S. Influence of Physiographic Region on Pathogen Concentrations Between Stream Types. Water 2024, 16, 3218. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223218

AMA Style

Bradley EA, Lockaby BG, Steury T, Madere S. Influence of Physiographic Region on Pathogen Concentrations Between Stream Types. Water. 2024; 16(22):3218. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223218

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bradley, E. A., B. Graeme Lockaby, Todd Steury, and Steven Madere. 2024. "Influence of Physiographic Region on Pathogen Concentrations Between Stream Types" Water 16, no. 22: 3218. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223218

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