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Use of N stable isotope and microbial analyses to define wastewater influence in Mobile Bay, AL (2007)

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We assessed short-term ecological and potential human health effects of wastewater treatment plant (WTP) effluent by measuring δ15N‰ and microbial concentrations in oysters and suspended particulate matter (SPM). We also tested male-specific bacteriophage (MSB) as an alternative to fecal coliforms, to assess potential influence of wastewater contamination on shellfish. WTP effluent did not affect oyster growth or survival, but SPM and oysters acquired wastewater-specific δ15N‰. δ15N values were depleted near the WTP, typical of low-level processed wastewater. Fecal coliform and MSB concentrations were higher in samples taken closest to the WTP, and MSB values were significantly correlated with δ15N‰ in oyster tissues. Overall, oysters demonstrated relatively rapid integration and accumulation of wastewater-specific δ15N‰ and indicator microorganisms compared to water samples. These data suggest oysters were superior sentinels compared to water, and MSB was a more reliable indicator of wastewater influence on shellfish than fecal coliforms.

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Additional Info

Field	Value
Author	Dr. Ruth Carmichael
Maintainer	data@disl.org
Last Updated	July 23, 2022, 03:04 (UTC)
Created	July 23, 2022, 03:04 (UTC)
Access_Constraints	Permission to access these data must be given by Dr. Ruth Carmichael of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Marine Organism and Ecosystem Response Lab.
ISO 19115 Topic Categories	biota, 002, environment, 007, inlandWaters, 012, utilitiesCommunication, 019
Place Keywords	Mobile, Alabama, Mobile Bay, McDuffie Island, Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Theme Keywords	fecal coliforms, male-specific bacteriophage, MSB, eastern oysters, virus, bacteria, growth, Nitrogen, N stable isotope, wastewater, shellfish, wastewater treatment plants, WTP, effluent, contamination
Use_Constraints	Acknowledgment of the DISL: Marine Organism and Ecosystem Response Lab, the National Science Foundation REU program and the U.S.A. Oyster Restoration Program would be appreciated in products developed from these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal practices for data source is expected by users of these data. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, data collection, and computer processes over time. The distributor shall not be liable for improper or incorrect use of these data, based on the description of appropriate/inappropriate uses described in the metadata document. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such.
dc.coverage.placeName	Mobile Alabama Mobile Bay McDuffie Island Dauphin Island Sea Lab
dc.coverage.t.max	20070716T
dc.coverage.t.min	20070608T
dc.coverage.x.max	-88.01865
dc.coverage.x.min	-88.03313
dc.coverage.y.max	30.65788
dc.coverage.y.min	30.61250
dc.creator	Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Marine Organism and Ecosystem Response Lab
dc.date	2008
dc.description	We assessed short-term ecological and potential human health effects of wastewater treatment plant (WTP) effluent by measuring δ15N‰ and microbial concentrations in oysters and suspended particulate matter (SPM). We also tested male-specific bacteriophage (MSB) as an alternative to fecal coliforms, to assess potential influence of wastewater contamination on shellfish. WTP effluent did not affect oyster growth or survival, but SPM and oysters acquired wastewater-specific δ15N‰. δ15N values were depleted near the WTP, typical of low-level processed wastewater. Fecal coliform and MSB concentrations were higher in samples taken closest to the WTP, and MSB values were significantly correlated with δ15N‰ in oyster tissues. Overall, oysters demonstrated relatively rapid integration and accumulation of wastewater-specific δ15N‰ and indicator microorganisms compared to water samples. These data suggest oysters were superior sentinels compared to water, and MSB was a more reliable indicator of wastewater influence on shellfish than fecal coliforms.
dc.language	en
dc.source	Josh Daskin's Summer 2007 REU project
dc.subject	fecal coliforms male-specific bacteriophage MSB eastern oysters virus bacteria growth Nitrogen N stable isotope wastewater shellfish wastewater treatment plants WTP effluent contamination
dc.title	Use of N stable isotope and microbial analyses to define wastewater influence in Mobile Bay, AL (2007)
dc.type	spreadsheet
spatial	{ "type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [ [ [ -88.03313, 30.65788 ], [ -88.01865, 30.65788 ], [ -88.01865, 30.61250 ], [ -88.03313, 30.61250 ], [ -88.03313, 30.65788 ] ] ] }