Biology ETDs

Publication Date

9-20-1972

Abstract

A nine months survey of fecal coliforms, fecal streptococcus, and salmonellae was made in the Rio Grande and adjacent canals. The survey was limited to the Albuquerque area from the Old Town Bridge on Central Ave. to the northern boundary of the Isleta Indian Reservation, south of the Rio Bravo Bridge. My study shows that the fecal coliforms and fecal streptococcus counts follow a seasonal pattern, being low in winter, increasing during spring, and reaching a peak in the summer. Salmonella enteritidis of several serotypes, Oranienburg, Derby, Give, Montevideo, Thomasville, Typhimurium, and Senftenberg, was isolated on nine different occasions. All serotypes isolated during the survey came from two sampling sites. One was 1.5 miles below a sewage treatment plant and was traced to the effluent of the plant. The other site was below a meat packing plant and was traced to the feedlots of this plant. Both sites contributed significantly to the bacterial counts throughout the survey.

Fecal coliforms and fecal streptococcus counts were made by filtration through Millipore filters and incubation on M-fecal coliform broth and M-enterococcus agar, respectively. Tetrathionate broth at 41 C was used for the isolation of Salmonella. Each Salmonella isolated was confirmed by the New Mexico State Health Laboratory. Identification of the serotypes was made by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

John W. Beakly

Second Committee Member

Donald Walter Duszynski

Third Committee Member

Clarence Clayton Hoff

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