What is the decay rate of E. coli in sediment?
There are no direct measurements of sediment bacteria decay that follow the same method COA has been using in Bull Creek to collect and analyze the samples. Bacteria can remain viable in sewage sludge solids for very long periods of time, and decay in sludge is related to moisture content and temperature. COA data has documented increases in sediment bacteria concentrations within a one week period in the absence of significant runoff events at the park. 6. What percent of E. coli is caused by pet waste and how much is from human waste from dirty diapers left by the creek by weekend visitors? It is extremely difficult to directly quantify differential source contributions. Bacterial source tracking using genetic methods would take 1-2 years and cost approximately $150,000. A similar study in an urban Houston water body demonstrated that the largest contributor of fecal bacteria was domestic cats and dogs. 7. What is the measured E. coli trend since the BCDOG campaign began in May 2008?
