1. The Impact of Climatic Factors on Fecal Coliforms/Fecal Streptococci Ratio Variability Kellie E. Jones Longwood College Department of Natural Sciences Coauthor: Genii A. Grimsley Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Buckalew

2. Fecal Coliforms Vs. Fecal Streptococci

3. FC/FS Source of Pollution >4.0 Human pollution 2.0-4.0 Human waste in mixed pollution 0.7-2.0 Animal waste in mixed pollution <0.7 Animal pollution Gerba, Charles P., et. al. Environmental Microbiology. New York: Academic Press,1999.

4. Research Hypothesis FC/FS ratio During moderate climatic conditions variability decreases During moderate climatic conditions variability decreases Enhances the application of the ratio as a bacterial source indicator Enhances the application of the ratio as a bacterial source indicator

5. Method Collection of water samples Collection of water samples Presumptive test for fecal streptococci Presumptive test for fecal streptococci Plate count Plate count Confirmatory tests for fecal streptococci Confirmatory tests for fecal streptococci

6. Presumptive Test Membrane Filtration Membrane Filtration KF Streptococcal Broth KF Streptococcal Broth Incubate at 37º +/- 0.5° C for 48 +/- 2 hrs Incubate at 37º +/- 0.5° C for 48 +/- 2 hrs Perform Plate Count Perform Plate Count Calculate FC/FS ratios Calculate FC/FS ratios

8. Confirmatory Test Bile Esculin Agar Bile Esculin Agar Incubate at 44.5º C +/- 0.5° C for 18 hrs Incubate at 44.5º C +/- 0.5° C for 18 hrs Observe Growth Observe Growth

9. FC/FS Ratios for September - April

10. T test Results for November – March vs. September and October Ang 17.01.5100.25>p>0.10 App 1.01.2810.50>p>0.25 App 2.00.529 1.00>p> 0.50 Say 5.01.5600.25>p>0.10 Say 8.01.2370.50>p>0.25 Vau 14.01.3690.25>p>0.10

11. T test Results for November – March vs. September, October, and April (1) Ang 17.01.26070.50>p>0.25 App 1.00.98430.50>p>0.25 App 2.00.81040.50>p>0.25 Say 5.01.44870.25>p>0.10 Say 8.01.37010.25>p>0.10 Vau 14.01.17620.25>p>0.10

12. T test Results for November – March vs. September, October, and April (2) Ang 17.01.770.25>p>0.10 App 1.00.9770.50>p>0.25 App 2.00.81040.50>p>0.25 Say 5.01.84480.25>p>0.10 Say 8.01.37010.25>p>0.10 Vau 14.0 1.4240.25>p>0.10

13. Discussion Already see a shift in p values with the addition of April’s data Already see a shift in p values with the addition of April’s data With more research the critical value could possibly be reached and there may actually be less variability in moderate months With more research the critical value could possibly be reached and there may actually be less variability in moderate months Monthly variation in temperature and precipitation counteract the reliability of the FC/FS ratio Monthly variation in temperature and precipitation counteract the reliability of the FC/FS ratio

14. Conclusion We feel that it is important to continue research on the FC/FS ratios because they are the most inexpensive source indicators of non-point bacterial contamination in waterways.