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M.V. Mathes

Publications and source records attributed to M.V. Mathes.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2008

Real-time PCR detection and quantification of nine potential sources of fecal contamination by analysis of mitochondrial Cytochrome b targets

We designed and tested real-time PCR probe/primer sets to detect and quantify Cytochrome b sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from nine vertebrate species of pet (dog), farm (cow, chicken, sheep, horse, pig), wildlife (Canada goose, white-tailed deer), and human. Linear ranges of the assays were from 101 to 108 copies/??l. To formally test the performance of the assays, twenty blinded fecal suspension samples were analyzed by real-time PCR to identify the source of the feces. Sixteen of the twenty samples were correctly and unambiguously identified. Average sensitivity was calculated to be 0.850, while average specificity was found to be 0.994. One beef cow sample was not detected, but mtDNA from 11 other beef cattle of both sexes and varying physiological states was found in concentrations similar (3.45 ?? 107 copies/g) to thatfound in human feces (1.1 ?? 107 copies/g). Thus, environmental conditions and sample handling are probably important factors for successful detection of fecal mtDNA. When sewage samples were analyzed, only human mtDNA (7.2 ?? 104 copies/100 mL) was detected. With a detection threshold of 250 copies/reaction, an efficient concentration and purification method resulted in a final detection limit for human feces of 1.8 mg/100 mL water.

Environmental Science & Technology↗
USGS2004

Comparison of seven protocols to identify fecal contamination sources using Escherichia coli

Microbial source tracking (MST) uses various approaches to classify fecal-indicator microorganisms to source hosts. Reproducibility, accuracy, and robustness of seven phenotypic and genotypic MST protocols were evaluated by use of Escherichia coli from an eight-host library of known-source isolates and a separate, blinded challenge library. In reproducibility tests, measuring each protocol's ability to reclassify blinded replicates, only one (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; PFGE) correctly classified all test replicates to host species; three protocols classified 48-62% correctly, and the remaining three classified fewer than 25% correctly. In accuracy tests, measuring each protocol's ability to correctly classify new isolates, ribotyping with EcoRI and PvuII approached 100% correct classification but only 6% of isolates were classified; four of the other six protocols (antibiotic resistance analysis, PFGE, and two repetitive-element PCR protocols) achieved better than random accuracy rates when 30-100% of challenge isolates were classified. In robustness tests, measuring each protocol's ability to recognize isolates from nonlibrary hosts, three protocols correctly classified 33-100% of isolates as "unknown origin," whereas four protocols classified all isolates to a source category. A relevance test, summarizing interpretations for a hypothetical water sample containing 30 challenge isolates, indicated that false-positive classifications would hinder interpretations for most protocols. Study results indicate that more representation in known-source libraries and better classification accuracy would be needed before field application. Thorough reliability assessment of classification results is crucial before and during application of MST protocols.

Environmental Science & Technology↗
USGS2000

Relation of bacteria in limestone aquifers to septic systems in Berkeley County, West Virginia

Water samples collected from 50 wells in Berkeley County, West Virginia, during June 2000 were analyzed for indicator bacteria. Of the 50 wells sampled, 62 percent (31 wells) contained total coliform bacteria , 32 percent (16 wells) contained Escherichia coli, and 30 percent (15 wells) contained fecal coliform bacteria. Although bacteria were present in many wells regardless of the number of septic systems in a 5-acre circular area around each well, no apparent correlation was detected between septic-system density and concentrations of bacteria colonies. There was also little difference in the frequency of total coliform bacteria detection between shallow and deep wells; however, the highest concentrations of E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria were found in the shallowest wells. At least one of the three bacteria types was found in samples of untreated water in 32 of the 50 wells. At 21 of the 32 wells with bacteria present, there was no treatment of the ground water to remove bacteria.

West Virginia↗
USGS1998

Summary of ground-water quality in West Virginia

Water-quality data for the 28 sites in the West Virginia ambient ground-water-quality network and for wells in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System (NWIS) data base for West Virginia were analyzed statistically to identify any water-quality trends and relations and to compare data from the two data sets. Data for 10 selected properties and constituents (pH, fecal coliform, iron, manganese, sulfate, hardness, nitrate plus nitrite, chloride, fluoride, and dissolved solids) were grouped by geologic unit, topographic setting, well depth, and season; simple statistical descriptors such as mean, median, maximum, minimum, standard deviation, and 10th and 90th percentiles were computed for each property and constituent and are summarized in tables. Analysis of the data for wells from the NWIS data base showed that highest median concentrations of dissolved iron and dissolved manganese are in samples from the Lower Pennsylvanian units, which are found mainly in the low-sulfur coal fields of southern West Virginia; the highest median concentration of dissolved sulfate is in samples from the Quaternary alluvium along the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers; and the highest median hardness and concentrations of dissolved nitrate plus nitrite are in samples from the Cambrian and Ordovician karst limestone units found mainly in the Eastern Panhandle. The highest median concentrations of dissolved iron and dissolved manganese are in samples from valley wells and wells of shallow depth, and hardness is greatest in samples from hilltop wells. Analysis of data for all wells and springs in the ambient network corroborated statistics for the NWIS data set in that median concentration of total iron is highest in samples from the Lower Pennsylvanian units, median concentration of dissolved sulfate is highest in samples from the Quaternary alluvium, and hardness and median concentrations of total nitrate plus nitrite are highest in samples from the Cambrian and Ordovician units. Data from the ambient network did not show any significant seasonal variations in groundwater quality. Of the additional constituents sampled for in the ambient network, median concentrations of metals were less than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards, and organic chemical constituents were rarely detected. Statistical comparisons of data from the NWIS data base and the ambient network data set showed no significant differences except for fecal coliform, iron, and manganese. Median concentrations of these three constituents were several times greater for samples from wells and springs in the ambient network. Statistical differences in values for these constituents could be attributed to differences in the state of constituents sampled (dissolved concentrations of iron and manganese for the NWIS data set as opposed to total concentrations for the ambient network data set) and the smaller number of sites in the ambient network. Statistical resolution could be improved by sampling a greater number of wells and springs that have a greater diversity of geologic and topographic conditions for the ambient network. The present ambient network does not include sites in Silurian or Middle Pennsylvanian geologic units nor sites in hilltop settings. The statistical validity of the ambient network could be improved by sampling additional sites, especially those for aquifers underrepresented in the data set.

West Virginia↗
USGS1995

Drainage areas of the Monogahela River Basin, West Virginia

This report contains data for 1,127 drainage-area divisions of the Monongahela River Basin, from the headwaters to the confluence of the Monongahela River and Dunkard Creek. Data, compiled in down- stream order, are listed for streams with a drainage area of approximately 2 square miels or larger, and for U.S. Geological Survey streamflow- gaging stations. The data presented are the stream name, the geographical limits, the latitude and longitude of the point, the name of the county and the 7-1/2 minute quadrangle in which the site lies, and the drainage area of that site. The total drainage area of the Monongahela River Basin, West Virginia, is 4,374.94 square miles.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1994

Water resources data, West Virginia, water year 1993

Water-resources data for the 1993 water year for West Virginia consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; contents of reservoirs; and water levels of observations wells. This report contains discharge records for 78 streamflow-gaging stations; stage only records for 11 gaging stations; annual maximum discharge at 2 crest-stage partial-record stations; change in contents for 1 reservoir; water-quality records for 13 stations; and water-level records for 29 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 4 and 5. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous sites. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in West Virginia.

West Virginia↗
USGS1993

Distribution of fluoride in ground water of West Virginia

This report describes the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, to evaluate the distribution of fluoride in ground water of West Virginia. Fluoride is a natural chemical constituent in domestic and public water supplies in West Virginia. Fluoride concentrations of about 1.0 milligram per liter in drinking water are beneficial to dental health. Concentrations greater than 2.0 milligrams per liter, however, could harm teeth and bones. Fluoride concentra- tions in ground water of West Virginia range from less than 0.1 to 12 milligrams per liter. Fluoride concentrations that exceed 2.0 milligrams per liter are found in wells drilled to all depths, wells drilled in all topographic settings, and wells drilled into most geologic units. Most fluoride concentrations that exceed 2.0 milligrams per liter are located at sites clustered in the northwestern part of the State.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1977

Drainage areas of the Guyandotte River basin, West Virginia

This report, prepared in cooperation with the West Virginia Office of Federal-State Relations (now the Office of Economic and Community Development), lists in tabular form 435 drainage areas for basins within the Guyandotte River basin of West Virginia. Drainage areas are compiled for sites at the mouths of all streams having drainage areas of approximately five square miles or greater, for sites at U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations (past and present), and for other miscellaneous sites. Drainage areas are summed in a downstream direction to provide areas for main channel sites. The site or reference point of each basin can be located by stream miles measured upstream from the mouth of each stream, by county, by quadrangle, and by latitude and longitude.

West Virginia↗