New Jersey Microbial Source Tracking Working Group

Fall Meeting

November 7, 2007

Summary Report by Bill Sciarappa & Brian Hulme – Rutgers University

            The bi-annual meeting of the New Jersey Microbial Source Tracking (NJ MST) Working Group was held on November 7, 2007 at the Monmouth County Agricultural Center in Freehold, NJ.  This latest meeting was held to update all Technical Partners and Stakeholders on the latest developments on MST Tracking Tools as well as regulatory issues concerning bacterial contamination in surface waters caused by NPS stormwater runoff.  Over 45 people were in attendance including representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the Monmouth County  Health Department, various  Deans and Professors from Rutgers and Monmouth University and concerned municipal officials,  environmental groups and citizens.

            MST or Bacterial Source Tracking (BST) is an umbrella term used to describe any and all techniques implemented to track down the source of microbes or bacteria that are being detected at an alarming high rate in New Jersey’s waterways and bathing beaches.  MST tools can range from the low tech, such as looking at a simple map and making an educated guess as to possible sites of concern to the high tech, such as the use of the latest molecular marker indicators.   These indicators help differentiate bacterial sources derived from humans, domestic pets, livestock and wildlife.

            The NJ MST Working Group was formed over four years ago by Dr. Bill Sciarappa, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural and Resource Management Agent and Dean John Tiedemann, from the Monmouth University Urban Coastal Institute.  The meetings are intended to bring together many experts in the field of water quality into a collaborative group that will promote the progressive use and explore the troubleshooting capabilities of various MST tools. 

            What are Some Common MST Tools?

Ø      qPCR – Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction is perhaps the most promising tool in the arsenal of MST.  This is a common and proven technique of amplifying DNA so it can be identified and quantified, but only recently has been used to track down sources of surface water contamination.  The Rutgers Biotechnology Center has been at the forefront of utilizing this method under the supervision of Dr. Craig Phelps. He is being joined by Dr. Michael Witty of Monmouth University in developing PCR primers for specific avian and horse species.

Ø      MAR – Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Analysis is another advanced technique in MST.  The theory behind this tool is that by studying which bacteria are resistant to specific antibiotics, it can than be determined from which species of animal the bacteria originated from.  For example, a bacterium which is resistant to a human antibiotic will most likely have come from a human, a bacteria which is resistant to an equine antibiotic will most likely have come from a horse, etc.  Dean Tiedemann and his colleagues at Monmouth University have used this technique extensively in recent watershed studies. 

Ø      Optical Brighteners – Optical brighteners are chemical compounds found in many common household products that are used to “keep your white’s white” such as laundry detergents and soaps.  When held under a black light, these chemical will fluoresce.  Detection of these chemicals are a quick indication of a leaking sewer system or excessive runoff from activities like the washing of cars or boats.  This technique is used by Cara Muscio – Marine Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Ocean County, and the Monmouth County Health Department.              Other MST tools are available including Phage Identification performed by Eric Feerst at the NJDEP or Biosterols which indicate the presence of harmful algae. 

            The meeting on November 7 was successful thanks to the NJDEP giving an update on the latest Fecal TMDL Rules and Regulations, Eric Feerst of the NJDEP updating the technical partners on the capabilities of the NJDEP Water Quality Lab at Leeds Point, Becky Cosgrove from the Monmouth County Health Department explaining how they are using qPCR/DNA sequencing for confirming Enterococcus Isolates from bathing beaches and Claire Conde, also from the Monmouth County Health Department giving her update on their work with Optical Brighteners. In addition, a presentation from Dr. Michael Witty from Monmouth University was given on the newest developments of qPCR methods for microbial source tracking in fecal impaired water bodies. 

            While there are many hurdles to be overcome in the field of MST, it is without question that as new tools and techniques become available and perfected, water quality scientists will soon be capable of pinpointing the sources of fecal contamination found in our rivers and oceans to better protect ourselves and our loved ones from harmful pathogens.  As stated, the introduction of these new technologies and their potential for benefiting society is without question.  The only question is, “How soon will these new technologies make their way into the mainstream and begin to give quantifiable results?”  5 years? 10 years? 20 years?  The answer will depend on scientists continuing to synergize and share information, State and Local Governments accepting these new technologies as truth and cutting through the bureaucracy and educating local citizens on how MST tools can help them.  It will be these citizens who will ultimately keep the pressure to innovate on, and demand their representatives implement these cutting edge methods.