Indicator species characterization and removal in a detention pond in the Plaster Creek watershed

Luke Vander Meer; Katherine DeHeer; Joseph Mellinger; Sarah Gibes; Bradley Paasch; Julie Wildschut; William L Miller; Sheng-Yang He; Kelly N DuBois

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113503

Indicator species characterization and removal in a detention pond in the Plaster Creek watershed

J Environ Manage. 2021 Nov 15:298:113503. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113503. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Authors

Luke Vander Meer¹, Katherine DeHeer², Joseph Mellinger³, Sarah Gibes⁴, Bradley Paasch⁵, Julie Wildschut⁶, William L Miller⁷, Sheng-Yang He⁸, Kelly N DuBois⁹

Affiliations

¹ Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: lav37@students.calvin.edu.
² Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: kate.deheer@gmail.com.
³ Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: js10.mellinger@gmail.com.
⁴ Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: sgg5@students.calvin.edu.
⁵ Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. Electronic address: bradley.paasch@duke.edu.
⁶ Engineering Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: jfield00@calvin.edu.
⁷ Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: wm25@calvin.edu.
⁸ Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. Electronic address: shengyang.he@duke.edu.
⁹ Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA. Electronic address: duboisk1@msu.edu.

PMID: 34426212
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113503

Abstract

Microbial pathogen contamination is a leading cause of impairment for urban rivers and streams in Michigan. Reports on the ability of green infrastructure best management practices to remove microbial pathogens have been highly variable. This study evaluated the influence of a detention basin (Kreiser Pond) on microbial dynamics in the Plaster Creek watershed in West Michigan. High levels of fecal indicator bacteria and coliphage were documented in influent and effluent water, with significant increases in indicator microbe concentrations during storm events. In dry conditions, Kreiser Pond efficiently reduced the number of indicator microbes flowing through the basin. Rainfall volume had a greater influence on the diversity of bacteria than sampling location. Antibiotic resistance was prevalent in culturable E. coli from Kreiser Pond, demonstrating a potential public health risk and highlighting the need for identifying the ultimate sources of microbial pollution.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Coliphage; Detention pond; Fecal indicator bacteria; Removal rates.

MeSH terms

Environmental Monitoring
Escherichia coli
Feces
Ponds*
Rivers
Water Microbiology*