Bifidobacterial survival in surface water and implications for microbial source tracking

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Abstract
Bifidobacteria are common in the intestines of humans and other animals. Sorbitol-fermenting Bifidobacteria (SFB) are associated with human faecal pollution. The ratio of total Bifidobacteria (TB) to SFB has been proposed to be a means for determining the source (human or animal) of faecal pollution. In this study, SFB were detected in all sewage samples (n = 39) and in 42% of samples of animal origin (n = 24): pig (5/6 positive), poultry (4/8), horse (1/4), and cow (0/6). The TB:SFB ratio was significantly higher in animal samples than in sewage samples (p < 0.01), with the exception of stored poultry manure, which had ratios (1.4-11) similar to the sewage samples (1-17). The lowest ratio in the other animal samples was 40 (pig). The TB:SFB ratio in sewage remained stable over time in surface water, and it may be a useful screening tool to determine the source of faecal pollution in surface water. Bifidobacteria died off in a log linear manner at 4 and 22 degrees C, with rates of disappearance of 0.16 and 0.58 log(days-1), respectively. Faecal coliforms (FC) disappeared more slowly (0.09 and 0.43 log(days-1), respectively). The FC:SFB ratio proved to be an inadequate tool for determining the age of sewage pollution.