Concentration of Vibrio Bacteria Over Six Months in Knitting Mill Creek, Norfolk, Virginia

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Vibrio is a genus of bacteria in which some members are infamous for causing food-borne and water-borne diseases in humans. The brackish water of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries provide suitable habitats for many species of Vibrio to survive and grow. Knitting Mill Creek (KMC), located immediately east of Colley Avenue North, is a tidal creek connected to the Lafayette River and subsequently Chesapeake Bay. Water samples were collected weekly from two locations along KMC between September 2023 and February 2024, within one hour of high tide. Samples were then transported to the laboratory and filtered. The filter was placed on Petri dishes containing TCBS (Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile-Salt Sucrose) agar. Incubation at 30℃ followed, and colony-forming units (CFU) were counted 20 to 26 hours later. Concentrations ranged from 2,300 CFU/mL in September to/mL in February. Water temperature was positively correlated with concentrations. There was a steady decrease in concentrations as water temperature decreased from Fall to Winter. These results align with previous studies and are significant in predicting the abundance of these potential pathogens in non-optimal conditions, such as cold weather.

Presenting Author Name/s

Madison Andriliunas

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Fred Dobbs

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Ocean and Earth Sciences

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Environmental Health and Protection | Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology | Oceanography | Pathogenic Microbiology

Session Title

Poster Session

Location

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Start Date

March 2024

End Date

March 2024

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Mar 30th, 8:30 AM Mar 30th, 10:00 AM

Concentration of Vibrio Bacteria Over Six Months in Knitting Mill Creek, Norfolk, Virginia

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Vibrio is a genus of bacteria in which some members are infamous for causing food-borne and water-borne diseases in humans. The brackish water of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries provide suitable habitats for many species of Vibrio to survive and grow. Knitting Mill Creek (KMC), located immediately east of Colley Avenue North, is a tidal creek connected to the Lafayette River and subsequently Chesapeake Bay. Water samples were collected weekly from two locations along KMC between September 2023 and February 2024, within one hour of high tide. Samples were then transported to the laboratory and filtered. The filter was placed on Petri dishes containing TCBS (Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile-Salt Sucrose) agar. Incubation at 30℃ followed, and colony-forming units (CFU) were counted 20 to 26 hours later. Concentrations ranged from 2,300 CFU/mL in September to/mL in February. Water temperature was positively correlated with concentrations. There was a steady decrease in concentrations as water temperature decreased from Fall to Winter. These results align with previous studies and are significant in predicting the abundance of these potential pathogens in non-optimal conditions, such as cold weather.