Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Evaluating Variation in E. coli Levels Across Space and Time in the Cumberland River and Analyzing How Physical Water Characteristics May Influence E. Coli Levels

Publication Date

2026

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Biology, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Chris Barton and Dr. Matthew Heard

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Urban freshwater systems provide important resources for drinking water and recreation, but they are also vulnerable to contamination from pollutants and fecal bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is commonly used as an indicator of fecal contamination and can provide insight into water quality in these urban freshwater systems. In this study, we examined spatial and temporal variation in E. coli concentrations in the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, we investigated whether physical water characteristics were associated with observed differences. We collected water samples  from four sites over three weeks in Summer 2026 and looked for the presence and abundance of E. coli using the IDEXX Colilert Quanti-Tray 2000 system. Water temperature, specific conductance, and pH were also measured at each site. Results indicated that E. coli concentrations increased significantly over the three-week sampling period and differed among sampling locations and between years. Although E. coli concentrations tended to increase with water temperature and specific conductance and decrease with pH, none of these relationships were statistically significant (R² = 0.12–0.22, p > 0.05). These findings suggest that fecal contamination in the Cumberland River varies across locations and sampling periods, but the limited sampling duration makes it difficult to identify the factors driving these patterns. Additional monitoring across longer time periods and multiple seasons would help clarify the relationships between environmental conditions and E. coli concentrations. Overall, this study highlights the importance of continued monitoring to better understand spatial and temporal variation in water quality in urban freshwater systems.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS