Spatial and Temporal Characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i>, Suspended Particulate Matter and Land Use Practice Relationships in a Mixed-Land Use Contemporary Watershed

oleh: Fritz Petersen, Jason A. Hubbart

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-04-01

Deskripsi

Understanding land use practice induced increases in <i>Escherichia (E.) coli</i> and suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations is necessary to improve water quality. Weekly stream water samples were collected from 22 stream gauging sites with varying land use practices in a representative contemporary mixed-land use watershed of the eastern USA. Over the period of one annual year, <i>Escherichia (E.) coli</i> colony forming units (CFU per 100 mL) were compared to suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations (mg/L) and land use practices. Agricultural land use sub-catchments comprised elevated <i>E. coli</i> concentrations (avg. 560 CFU per 100 mL) compared to proximate mixed development (avg. 330 CFU per 100 mL) and forested (avg. 206 CFU per 100 mL) sub-catchments. Additionally, agricultural land use showed statistically significant relationships (<i>p</i> < 0.01) between annual <i>E. coli</i> and SPM concentration data. Quarterly PCA biplots displayed temporal variability in land use impacts on <i>E. coli</i> and SPM concentrations, with agricultural land use being closely correlated with both pollutants during Quarters 2 and 3 but not Quarters 1 and 4. The data collected during this investigation advance the understanding of land use impacts on fecal contamination in receiving waters, thereby informing land use managers on the best management practices to reduce exposure risks.