Microbial Source Tracking Project

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Background and Relevance

Research Questions included:

• Which microbial method(s) for tracing the source of faecal pollution is (are) capable of qualitatively and quantitatively detecting the presence of human faecal contamination in laboratory conditions and in surface waters under different environmental conditions? Preferably using culture and library independent methods.
• Do any of these methods complement each other to diagnose the source(s) of faecal contamination and/or help to differentiate faecal pollutions by different animal species?
• Which method or combination of methods is the most rapid and statistically robust that will truly assist in catchment and water source management?