Document Type

Report

Abstract

Microbial contamination is still considered one of the major causes of diminished function and quality of urban rivers and streams in Michigan. Floodplains, a type of green infrastructure used to reduce flooding after large amounts of rainfall, were reported to have variable effects of reducing levels of stormwater runoff within these bodies of water ( Hubbart et al., 2011 ). Viral indicators of fecal contamination in bodies of water include male-specific and somatic coliphages. Water samples from Plaster Creek were collected before and after the floodplain in order to identify the levels of somatic and male-specific coliphages during dry and wet days (no rainfall vs. rainfall events). Phages were then isolated by using the EPA method 1602, followed by an RNA extraction using reverse-transcriptase PCR in order to identify sources of microbial contamination, such as human and animal fecal matter. This study evaluated the levels of coliphage at Shadyside Park, while also observing if a green infrastructure, a matured floodplain, has reduced these levels compared to past years. Ultimately, we found no significant differences in phage levels between sampling sites surrounding the floodplain, and it shows a variable effect in controlling and reducing coliphage levels in Shadyside Park.

Publication Date

2020

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