Fecal Source Tracking at Little Cane Creek and Cane Creek

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Barbara Campbell, Clemson University

Oral Presentation Award

1st Place

Abstract

I used fecal source tracking methods to help the Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) evaluate the sources of fecal contamination in Lake Keowee so they can take measures to reduce the levels of bacterial contamination. The presence of the bacteria was confirmed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); the samples were taken from Sites 10 and 11, Little Cane Creek and Cane Creek. We evaluated the presence of beaver, cow/deer, horse, human, and pig fecal contamination. The PCR results indicate fecal contamination from beavers and cows/deer at both sites. There were not significant levels of fecal contamination from horses, humans, or pigs at Little Cane Creek or Cane Creek.

Location

Wall 205

Start Date

3-25-2017 9:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 9:30 AM

Fecal Source Tracking at Little Cane Creek and Cane Creek

Wall 205

I used fecal source tracking methods to help the Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) evaluate the sources of fecal contamination in Lake Keowee so they can take measures to reduce the levels of bacterial contamination. The presence of the bacteria was confirmed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); the samples were taken from Sites 10 and 11, Little Cane Creek and Cane Creek. We evaluated the presence of beaver, cow/deer, horse, human, and pig fecal contamination. The PCR results indicate fecal contamination from beavers and cows/deer at both sites. There were not significant levels of fecal contamination from horses, humans, or pigs at Little Cane Creek or Cane Creek.