Advanced Microbial Source Tracking and Fecal Source Apportionment

This dataset contains measurements of concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and enterococci) and microbial source tracking (MST) markers (HF183, Rum2Bac, GFD, DG37, CowM3, and GenBac), and detections of culturable E. coli that carry the sewage-associated H8 gene. This data also includes environmental parameters recorded during each sampling event, including estimations of tide and precipitation, measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and turbidity. Surface water was sampled in five different water bodies (Bullfrog Creek, Frenchmans Creek, Hamilton Creek, Northshore Park, and Salt Creek) that discharge directly or indirectly to Tampa Bay in Hillsborough and Pinellas, Florida counties. Samples were collected at several sites in each water body on a monthly basis from July 2022 to June 2024 to identify major sources of fecal pollution. QPCR MST data were also used to estimate human health risk ascribed to primary contact recreational exposure by QMRA.