Transport and survival of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in soil columns following applications of raw and separated liquid slurry

Heidi H. Petersen, Heidi Enemark, Annette Olsen, M. G. Mostofa Amin, Anders Dalsgaard

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    Abstract

    The widespread waterborne pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum is frequently transmitted to humans via contaminated drinking and recreational water. Nearly all drinking water in Denmark is groundwater, which can be contaminated with oocysts e.g. from application of contaminated manure to the field. Oocysts transport to groundwater requires that the oocysts are transported through soil and bedrock to the water table. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential transport of the protozoan pathogen C. parvum through soil to land drains and, subsequently water sources in a laboratory setup using simulated rainfall and six 20 cm long replicate intact soil columns. Two types of contaminated slurry: raw slurry and the separated liquid fraction of the slurry were applied ten cm into the soil,
    which was subsequently irrigated once a week over a four-week period. C. parvum oocysts were detected in the leachates from soil columns to which Cryptosporidium positive slurry had been injected. Although recovery rates were low, regardless of slurry type, C. parvum oocysts were detected from all soil columns. Variations in the leachate patterns were recorded between soil columns added raw and liquid slurry respectively with significantly more oocysts in leachate from the latter. At the end of the study soil columns were destructively sampled to establish the location of remaining oocysts within the soil. Distribution within the soil was almost similar in all the soil columns, with the majority of oocysts found in the first section were the slurry was applied and with numbers decreasing with increasing depth.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication date2014
    Number of pages1
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    Event5th International Giarda and Cryptosporidium Conference - Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, Uppsala, Sweden
    Duration: 27 May 201430 May 2014
    Conference number: 5

    Conference

    Conference5th International Giarda and Cryptosporidium Conference
    Number5
    LocationUppsala Konsert & Kongress
    Country/TerritorySweden
    CityUppsala
    Period27/05/201430/05/2014

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