Tracing Septic Pollution Sources Using Synthetic DNA Tracers: Proof of Concept

Tracing Septic Pollution Sources Using Synthetic DNA Tracers: Proof of Concept

Contamination from septic systems is one of the most difficult sources of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to quantify. Quantification is difficult in part because locating malfunctioning septic systems within a watershed is challenging. This study used synthetic-DNA-based tracers to track flows from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Air, soil and water research soil and water research, 2019-07, Vol.12 (1), p.117862211986379
Main Authors: Georgakakos, Christine B, Richards, Paul L, Walter, M Todd
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Contamination
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA tracer
Experiments
Flow paths
groundwater
Nonpoint source pollution
Original Research
Pollution sources
Polymerase chain reaction
Preferential flow
quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)
septic system
Septic systems
Septic tanks
Sewage disposal
Tracers
Watersheds
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Summary:Contamination from septic systems is one of the most difficult sources of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to quantify. Quantification is difficult in part because locating malfunctioning septic systems within a watershed is challenging. This study used synthetic-DNA-based tracers to track flows from 2 septic systems. Sample DNA was quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This technology could be especially useful for simultaneously assessing multiple septic systems because there are essentially infinite unique combinations of DNA bases such that unique tracers could be engineered for each septic system. Two studies were conducted: the first, to determine whether the tracers move through septic systems (experiment 1), and the second, to determine whether the tracers were detectable at watershed scales (experiment 2). In both cases, clear, although complex, breakthrough curves were detected. Experiment 1 revealed possible preferential flow paths that might not have been otherwise obvious, indicative of short circuiting systems. This proof of concept suggests that these tracers could be applied to watersheds suspected of experiencing NPS septic system pollution.
ISSN:1178-6221
1178-6221