Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Evaluating E. coli as an Indicator of Pathogenic Contamination in the Cumberland River Using Nanopore Sequencing

Publication Date

Fall 11-21-2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Biology, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Chris Barton

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Urban freshwater systems provide both recreational opportunities and drinking water resources, making pathogen exposure a critical public health concern. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has recommended Escherichia coli (E. coli) as an indicator of fecal and pathogenic contamination since 1986. However, with advances in environmental DNA sequencing, tools such as Oxford Nanopore’s MinION now enable broader microbial analysis beyond E. coli. This study investigates the relationship between E. coli abundance, pathogenic bacterial presence, and overall microbial diversity in the Cumberland River, a major freshwater source in Nashville, Tennessee. Using IDEX Colilert quantification of E. coli and environmental DNA sequencing with Oxford Nanopore’s MinION, we assessed microbial community composition across multiple sites and time points. Regression analyses demonstrated that E. coli abundance significantly predicts both total bacterial richness and the number of known human pathogens, which supports its use as an indicator organism of water contamination. While no significant differences in overall bacterial richness were detected between sites or sampling weeks, E. coli levels exhibited both spatial and temporal variation. These results suggest that E. coli effectively reflects both overall microbial activity and pathogen presence in urban freshwater systems. However, integrating MinION nanopore sequencing may enhance water quality monitoring by collecting more specific microbial data that traditional methods may overlook.

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