Development of a model to predict the impact of sediments on microbial irrigation water quality

Our recent work on the occurrence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in irrigation canals in Southern Arizona have shown that these bacteria occur in concentrations ten times greater in the sediment than the overlaying water. In addition, other pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes and human pathogenic enteric viruses occur in aquatic sediments. We believe that this reservoir can be a significant source of foodborne pathogens. For the first time, we propose to develop an integrated model that could form the basis of managing this threat to food crops and microbial water quality in surface waters. The overall goal is to develop a baseline of data to determine how sediment, pathogens, and flow properties affects the quality of irrigation water. This will be accomplished through both laboratory experimental studies and field investigations. In the laboratory, a series of experiments will be conducted in a flume to identify flow and sediment conditions which would result in the resuspension of sediment-bound bacteria/viruses in irrigation channels, quantifying the impact of re-suspension of different levels of bacteria/viruses in overlaying water, and suggesting possible guidelines for the occurrence of indicator bacteria and pathogens in the sediments of irrigation channels. Previous work has been limited to only two sediment types and one enteric bacterium and bacterial virus. Because of the wide variety of the structural/surface chemistry properties of bacteria and viruses, varying types of viruses and bacteria need to be studied to develop a more practical model of their behavior in sediments. Increasing evidence suggests that waters used in the irrigation of produce are a significant source of the pathogens responsible for many illnesses, such as diarrhea, hepatitis, listeriosis, etc. Arizona ranks third nationally in the production of fresh produce and second in the production of lettuce, broccoli, spinach, and melons. Farmers in Arizona and California account for approximately 98% of the commercial domestic output of lettuce. All of California and Arizona’s produce is grown by irrigated agriculture. Thus, the microbial quality of irrigation waters is a key issue.