An Assessment of Coliform Bacteria in Water Sources near Appalachian Trail Shelters within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Description

"In Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it has long been held drinking water should be treated for the water to be drinkable. This research project will focus on water samples from a number of popular Appalachian Trail shelters, as well as more remote areas, after the spring through-hiker season and at the end of fall hiking season. The levels and species of fecal coliform organisms that can cause infectious diarrhea will be determined, which will increase awareness of waterborne illness threats for visitors of the park, and perhaps promote more consistent water purification by backcountry travelers. 7/10 springs were positive for coliforms, 6/10 with E. coli. Coliform counts ranged from 0 - 489 CFU / 100 mL and E coli ranged from 0 - 123 CFU / 100 mL. Spence had the most coliforms, but Silers had the most E. Coli."

Resources

Name Format Description Link
53 Coliform data associated with GRSM-01112 https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/602920?Reference=2236528
53 water sample information associated with GRSM-01112 https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/630048?Reference=2236528
53 454 pyrosequencing analysis of the same water samples as are denoted in the water study data sheet https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/630047?Reference=2236528

Tags

  • studyid-grsm-01112
  • origin-external
  • bacteria
  • waterborne-illness
  • appalachian-highlands-network
  • e-coli
  • water-sources
  • grsm
  • southeast-region
  • drinking-water
  • aphn
  • great-smoky-mountains-national-park
  • at
  • coliform
  • appalachian-trail-shelters
  • ecological-framework-water-water-quality-microorganisms
  • ser

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