Dimpor Jimmy J, Lucky Otite P, Kwarkye Dennis F, Watts Samuel, Oguayo Chukwuebuka P, Ojewole Catherine O, Kusi Joseph
Department of Environmental Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 44 Circle Drive SW 2145, PO Box 1099, Edwardsville, IL, USA, 62026.
Heliyon. 2024 Dec 11;11(1):e40955. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40955. eCollection 2025 Jan 15.
The designated uses of lakes connect individuals to the natural environment, but some can expose recreational users to pathogens associated with fecal contamination that cause waterborne illnesses. Routine monitoring of fecal indicators in surface waters helps identify and track sources of fecal contamination to protect public health. We examined fecal indicators ( and enterococci) and factors influencing recreational freshwater quality. We collected and analyzed water samples from an urban lake for 12 months to assess water quality. Fecal indicators were detected and enumerated using IDEXX method. and enterococci were detected in nearly 100 % of all water samples, but their concentrations varied significantly among seasons and land uses. We observed high levels of and enterococci during the warmer months. The geometric means of (28.5 MPN/100 mL) and enterococci (39.3 MPN/100 mL) were below and above the recreational water quality standards, respectively. The concentrations of (7 %) and enterococci (22 %) exceeded the recommended single-sample maximum levels. Sites near urban and forested areas recorded the highest and lowest fecal indicators, respectively. Water temperature, precipitation, salinity, resistivity, DO, and hardness were significant predictors of fecal indicators. The concentrations of fecal indicators were elevated at certain times of the year, indicating the potential presence of pathogens. Overall, the measured water quality parameters of the lake were within normal ranges. This study suggests that effective lake management should focus on the warmer months and runoff from urban and open space/agricultural areas to control nonpoint source pollution.
湖泊的指定用途将人们与自然环境联系起来，但有些用途可能会使休闲使用者接触到与粪便污染相关的病原体，从而引发水源性疾病。对地表水粪便指标进行常规监测有助于识别和追踪粪便污染源，以保护公众健康。我们研究了粪便指标（粪大肠菌群和肠球菌）以及影响休闲淡水水质的因素。我们对一个城市湖泊的水样进行了为期12个月的采集和分析，以评估水质。使用IDEXX方法检测和计数粪便指标。在几乎所有水样中都检测到了粪大肠菌群和肠球菌，但其浓度在不同季节和土地利用类型之间存在显著差异。我们观察到在温暖月份粪大肠菌群和肠球菌的含量较高。粪大肠菌群（28.5个/100毫升）和肠球菌（39.3个/100毫升）的几何平均值分别低于和高于休闲用水水质标准。粪大肠菌群（7%）和肠球菌（22%）的浓度超过了推荐的单样本最高水平。城市和森林地区附近的地点分别记录到了最高和最低的粪便指标。水温、降水量、盐度、电阻率、溶解氧和硬度是粪便指标的重要预测因素。粪便指标的浓度在一年中的某些时候会升高，表明可能存在病原体。总体而言，该湖泊测量的水质参数在正常范围内。这项研究表明，有效的湖泊管理应关注温暖月份以及城市和开放空间/农业区域的径流，以控制非点源污染。
