Chapter Outline: Microbial Source Tracking: an Evolving Science (Harwood et al.)

Proposed title: Microbial Source Tracking: an Evolving Science   Chapter no.: 1

Author(s):

Valerie J. Harwood (Ph.D.)

Department of Integrative Biology, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, University of South Florida,
Tampa, FL 33620
Phone:  (813) 974-1524, Fax: (813) 974-3263, E-mail: vharwood@usf.edu
 

Charles Hagedorn (Ph.D.)

Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, 401 Price Hall, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0404
Phone: (540) 231-4895, Fax: (540) 231-3431, E-mail: chagedor@vt.edu
 

Michael Sadowsky (Ph.D.)
BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, 140 Gortner Lab, 1479 Gortner Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (612) 624-2706, Fax: (612) 625-5780, E-mail: Sadowsky@umn.edu

Proposed Topics:

A. Introduction

What is microbial source tracking?

Why microbial source tracking (MST) is needed in addition to measurement of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB)

B. MST Methods      

Methodological strategies in MST (e.g. library-dependent vs. library-independent; chemical methods)

Comparison of ideal vs. useful MST methods

C. Organization and Emphasis of the MST Section

Brief introduction of subsequent MST chapters, including:

            Validation of MST methods

            Overview of current MST methods targeting human sources

            Overview of current MST methods targeting non-human sources

            Summary of chemical tracer methods and modeling efforts

            Field study planning and implementation, including regulatory impact

D. Current status

Recreational water quality

TMDL

Quantitative microbial risk assessment

 

E. Future directions in MST

Chapter Highlights

The following concepts will be conveyed in this chapter:

 
● An introduction to MST and its current status in the field of environmental microbiology; research needs and potential future uses.

● An overview of when, where, and how to use MST as a lead-in for the following six chapters.