Fecal Coliform Release Studies and Development of a Preliminary Nonpoint Source Transport Model for Indicator Bacteria

摘要

Grazing is a primary land use and one that creates significant volumes of animal waste and can pose a significant threat to water quality. This study combined laboratory work to derive a relationship quantifying the rate of release of coliforms from cattle fecal deposits and a general transport model describing indicator bacteria movement overland into channels. Experimental determination of a release function was based on rainfall simulated on standard cowpies and measured fecal coliform counts in the runoff. If these high background counts are typical of natural conditions, grazing impacts are probably minimal.