Studying Effects of Weather on Organism Levels in Water Sources Using DNA Sequencing Technologies
Board Location: #71
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Ecology
Session: 3
Reyvadee Godehn - North Carolina State University
Co-Author(s): Dr. Angela Allen, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, Dr. Carlos Goller, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Presence of E. coli in water sources is a serious problem that can cause health issues for humans as well as impact the health of the creeks. Initial studies sought to target the source of E. coli, as the presence of fecal bacteria was at high levels in waterways in Southeast Raleigh. It was revealed that targeted organisms such as human, poultry, and swine tend to have unexplained results during certain weather patterns. This research will aim to investigate the effects of weather on E. coli and organism levels in water sources in Southeast Raleigh. Water samples will be continuously collected from various sites in Southeast Raleigh, and DNA will be extracted using the Zymo Quick RNA/DNA Water Kit. The DNA will be analyzed using full length 16S sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) as well as digital PCR targeting specific organisms such as human, poultry, swine, and E. coli. The levels found during these processes will be compared to the events of rain occurring immediately before and after samples are taken, and correlations will be noted. Based on previous results, we hypothesize that levels of human and poultry DNA will change based on the pre- and post- rain events. The results of this study will expand on the understanding of the source of E. coli found in the waterways. Our results will aid in the establishment of monitoring possible sources of runoff, overall water quality, and levels of pollution in the Raleigh area. This study is supported by North Carolina State University’s Sustainability Office.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Sustainability Office at North Carolina State University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Angela Allen, amallen2@ncsu.edu
Role: I will have collected samples, extracted DNA using our kit, and performed DNA analysis techniques, including sequencing and PCR. I will compare our results to weather patterns. I collaborated with my professors to help do conceptual work on the project.