Characterizing the distribution of planktonic fecal bacteria in the James River, Richmond, Virginia

Surface waters containing fecal bacteria present significant public health risks. Understanding the sources of and factors affecting the distribution of fecal-indicating bacteria is necessary to predict potential illnesses more effectively. This thesis presents two studies on the distribution of fecal bacteria in the James River through Richmond, Virginia. Chapter 1 describes nearly 11 years of water quality, climate, and hydrologic data that occurred with changes in Escherichia coli concentrations, concluding that Richmond contributes significant quantities of fecal bacteria to the James River, and that the distribution of these bacteria varies seasonally. Chapter 2 details the development of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based methods to identify four common pathogenic taxa of fecal bacteria, and indicates that the factors controlling the distribution of these pathogens may be taxa-specific. Both studies, taken together, indicate that urbanization increases the presence of fecal bacteria and pathogens in this system, and that recreational contact with the river presents potential health risks.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Furry, John

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rima Franklin

• fecal bacteria
• E. coli
• urbanization
• pathogen
• Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/262

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1261