Abstract:
Natural springs are the main source of water supply for domestic and agricultural use for humans living in the mountainous regions of Asia. Increasing anthropogenic activities with associated waste load, coupled with inadequate sanitation, and contamination of natural water resources and the environment are emerging as important public health issues. We performed a prospective microbiological and physicochemical investigation of water samples from seven distinct natural springs situated at an altitude of 1615 m in the Bhaderwah region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Bacterial groups belonging to opportunistic pathogens such as members of Moraxellaceae (Acinetobacter), Arcobacteraceae (Pseudoarcobacter), Pseudomonadaceae (Pseudomonas), Oxalobacteraceae (Massilia), and Flavobacteriaceae (Flavobacterium) were observed. The total coliform test indicated an intermediate level of risk of fecal contamination of the springs, except for one site. Through a questionnaire-based survey of the local population, we discovered that around 40% of participants had suffered from waterborne diseases including typhoid (~14%) and diarrhea (~11%). Our data suggests that increased surveillance of fecal contamination and heterotrophic opportunistic pathogens is needed to enhance water quality and reduce health risks for people living in mountainous regions.
摘要:
天然泉水是生活在亚洲山区的人类的家庭和农业用水的主要来源。增加与废物负荷相关的人为活动,加上卫生条件不足,自然水资源和环境污染正在成为重要的公共卫生问题。我们对查mu和克什米尔的Bhaderwah地区海拔1615m的七个不同天然泉水的水样进行了前瞻性的微生物和物理化学研究,印度。属于机会性病原体的细菌组,例如莫拉草科(不动杆菌)的成员,拟杆菌属(拟杆菌属),假单胞菌科(假单胞菌),草酸杆菌科(Massilia),并观察到黄杆菌科(黄杆菌)。总大肠杆菌测试表明,弹簧粪便污染的风险处于中等水平,除了一个网站。通过对当地人口的问卷调查,我们发现,约40%的参与者患有水传播疾病,包括伤寒(约14%)和腹泻(约11%)。我们的数据表明,需要加强对粪便污染和异养机会病原体的监测,以提高水质并降低山区居民的健康风险。