Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009KY128B

Tracing the fate of Nitrogen-15 in isotopcially-labeled E. coli and determining fecal indicator die-off rates in an Inner Bluegrass karst basin, central Kentucky

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2010-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $18,464

Principal Investigators: Alan Fryar

Project Summary: A novel tracer method using N-15 as a label has been developed to closely track the transport of bacteria, a common contaminant, through karst aquifers. Information on the fate of the N-15 label, such as after the microorganism dies, can extend the applicability of the tracing method. The proposed research will attempt to supplement understanding of the newly developed E. coli labeling method by investigating what happens to the nitrogen as isotopically enriched E. coli die in a laboratory experiment. The lab results will be compared with a field experiment examining E. coli die-off rates in a karst aquifer near Lexington, Kentucky. This study should extend the applicability of the method, allowing future research to be performed in new settings and over longer time intervals.