Streamlined Method for Microbial Hazard Measurement

The project aimed to create a cost-effective method for identifying microbial hazards, specifically Enterococcus species, in recreational waters. The primary objective was to integrate quantification and qualification methods, traditionally conducted separately, into a seamless approach using high-throughput sequencing. This new method, named QT-AMP (Quanti-Tray-based amplicon sequencing), was developed to simultaneously quantify and identify enterococci, enhancing microbial source tracking and human health risk assessments. The QT-AMP method demonstrated a detection level significantly higher than regular 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, identifying 11 Enterococcus species from 45 water samples. Additionally, the project explored the discovery and assessment of new bird fecal markers using high-throughput sequencing platforms. This involved analyzing microbial communities from aquatic birds to identify potential avian markers for fecal contamination. Overall, the project successfully developed a novel method for microbial hazard assessment in recreational waters, contributing to improved water management practices and public health protection. The research findings were submitted for publication, and the project supported the development of graduate students involved in the research and outreach activities.