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CryptoSource

 


Our primary objective is to determine the effect of drain tiles on Cryptosporidium transport to surface water.

Cattle and other livestock can be reservoirs of human pathogenic Cryptosporidium species.  Of particular concern is the movement of cropland applied manure to surface waters, where it can potentially impact human health. While surface runoff is well understood and is counteracted by vegetative buffer strips, considerably less is known about soil infiltration and transport by subsurface drains. Under conditions where Cryptosporidium infiltrates the soil and enters tile drains, rapid transport from the cropland to surface waters may occur. A recent study in Canada reported a high prevalence of cattle associated Cryptosporidium species in surface waters that were impacted by drain tiles, suggesting that the drain tiles could have contributed to the transport of Cryptosporidium in the area. Yet, little is known about the transport and fate of Cryptosporidium in cropland with tile drainage. Our objective is to determine the effect of drain tiles on Cryptosporidium transport to surface waters. This objective will address our working hypothesis that Cryptosporidium transport to surface water is facilitated by agricultural drain tiles. Our approach will be to use a combination of field studies and laboratory scale modeling to determine the potential for Cryptosporidium species to be transported from manure applied land to surface waters via drain tiles. The field studies will be conducted  at a site impacted by manure and at a control site where tile drainage is present but manure is not applied.

 

We have just commenced soil box experiments with an artificial rainfall simulator (see image below).  Field experiments will be carried out later this year.  Please check back later for updates.

This part of the project has only just commenced.  Please check back later for outcomes


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Last Updated: Monday, January 25, 2010 4:41:31 PM
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