Biological properties affecting survival and transport of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in watershed environments.
2005 Impact statement- Ghiorse, William Cushing
abstract
Permeability of the oocyst wall and the ability to change an exopolymer layer key properties for survival and transport respectively.
submitted by
- Ghiorse, William Cushing | Professor
issue being addressed
This project focuses on water supply safety and public health issues surrounding the New york City water supply. Our work provides explanations for the long term survival of C. parvum oocysts in watershedents and waste water tratment facilities. It directly affects policy decisions of the USEPA and NYC DEP.
response
We have studied the environmental conditions that affect permeability of C.parvum oocysts in laboratory and soil-field experiments. We have also studied the relationship between oocyst surface chemistry and transport of the oocysts,including the enviromental factors that influence transport from farm to water supply.
impact assessment
Our work on survival and transport has helped to support watershed protection programs in the NYC watershed, which serves as a model for other large city watersheds in the USA abnd around the world. It has also helped to guide the EPA decisions on filtration avoidance for the NYC water supply.
funding source description
- Academic Programs Instructional Support (e.g., Institutional Challenge, Multicultural Scholars, Nat`l Needs, Hispanic Ed)
- Other Federal non-USDA (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOA, DOD)
- Other USDA (e.g., Water Quality, Special Grants, NRI)
key personnel
- M. Walter
- K. Porter
- Dwight Bowman
- Tammo Steenhuis
department, unit, division
- Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity (BEB) | academic program office
- Microbiology (BIOMI) | Cornell department
mission focus
- extension/outreach | project type
- research | project type
- teaching | project type
submitted as part of CALS annual faculty reporting, February 2006