Measuring Total Coliform and E. coli Counts at Surfside Beach, South Carolina

Carissa Church, Coastal Carolina University

Presentation Abstract

Coliforms are bacteria that are present in the intestinal track of all humans and other warm-blooded animals, with large numbers being found in feces. E. coli is a species of coliform with specific strains being harmful to humans. E. coli can be the cause of an array of intestinal infections ranging in severity. It is important to test water quality for coliform bacteria to determine if the water being tested has come in contact with fecal matter. The tests conducted for both total coliforms and E. coli were done with Micrology's Coliscan Easygel medium. Between May 27, 2010 and February 9, 2021, 242 samples were collected on 11th Avenue at Surfside Beach. The mean total coliform and E. coli counts are 864.6 CFU/100 mL and 118.9 CFU/100 mL respectively, which are in accordance with USGS and S.C. DHEC water quality standards of 1200 CFU/100 mL and 126 CFU/100 mL.

This poster was withdrawn due to issues with either attribution, data collection, data analysis, research methodology, or findings that were surfaced by the owners of the data used in the research project. To view the poster in question please contact commons@coastal.edu.

 
Apr 21st, 12:00 PM Apr 21st, 2:00 PM

Measuring Total Coliform and E. coli Counts at Surfside Beach, South Carolina

Virtual Poster Session 1

Coliforms are bacteria that are present in the intestinal track of all humans and other warm-blooded animals, with large numbers being found in feces. E. coli is a species of coliform with specific strains being harmful to humans. E. coli can be the cause of an array of intestinal infections ranging in severity. It is important to test water quality for coliform bacteria to determine if the water being tested has come in contact with fecal matter. The tests conducted for both total coliforms and E. coli were done with Micrology's Coliscan Easygel medium. Between May 27, 2010 and February 9, 2021, 242 samples were collected on 11th Avenue at Surfside Beach. The mean total coliform and E. coli counts are 864.6 CFU/100 mL and 118.9 CFU/100 mL respectively, which are in accordance with USGS and S.C. DHEC water quality standards of 1200 CFU/100 mL and 126 CFU/100 mL.

This poster was withdrawn due to issues with either attribution, data collection, data analysis, research methodology, or findings that were surfaced by the owners of the data used in the research project. To view the poster in question please contact commons@coastal.edu.