The Pathogen and Source Tracking Core is dedicated to developing and applying new technologies to safeguard the public from pathogen exposures associated with coastal waters and shellfish. The function of the core is to coordinate research projects, provide technical support to internal and external scientists, and act as a resource for issues related to marine microbiology. To date, the core has successfully coordinated the research of six PIs who are developing rapid detection technologies for bacterial and viral pathogens, protozoan parasites, and toxin-producing algae. The Core PI has disseminated information to other scientists, resource managers and the interested public through publications including an EPA microbial source tracking guide document and presentations at scientific meetings. Core investigators have also convened a microbial source tracking workshop that was offered at the American Society for Microbiology, and they provided a methods demonstration at the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. Investigators associated with the core have also answered requests by two municipalities to share technologies and expertise. Overall, it is expected that techniques developed within the pathogen and source tracking program, coordinated by the core, will allow rapid, cost effective, and specific identification of species and genotypes of marine microorganisms of public health significance. These novel techniques will aid in understanding the fate, transport, and load of selected microorganisms in coastal ecosystems; identify host sources of contamination; and allow resource managers to identify best management practices to reduce or mitigate pathogens of public health concern in coastal water systems. The coordinated approach of the core, and the demonstrated ability to leverage the expertise of the most qualified scientists, is expected to allow us to achieve these outcomes at an accelerated pace (years instead of decades). (microbial source tracking); (MST); (bacterial source tracking); (BST)
- Bacterial Source Tracking Project (West Virginia @ Marshall University)
- Vocalizations of Round Gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) and Mottled Sculpins
- Microbial Facilitation of Organic Carbon and Contaminant Transfers into the Lake Superior Foodweb
- National Risk Assessment of Microbiological Contaminants in Agricultural Run-off - Pilot Study (5 Yr Project)
- Bioaccumulation of Emerging Contaminants of Concern in Great Lakes Fish
- Sea Grant Technology Program: A CFD Model for Wave Transformation and Breaking in the Surf Zone
- Identifying the Sources of Coliform Bacteria in Coastal Ecosystems and Their Relationship to Land Use
- Ship-Mediated Harmful Microbes: Protecting the Great Lakes Ecosystem
- Modern Vertical Datums and Lake Level
- A Model for Internal Chemical Loading in Lake Erie
Monitoring
General
Monitoring
- Purpose of Project
- Frequency
- Number of Sampling Entities
- Data Availability
- Region Being Monitored
- Resource Being Monitored
Resource Being MonitoredEmission / Release / Discharge / Waste ManagementHuman Health
- Program Drivers
- Beneficial Use Impairment Assessments