Scientists optimized existing methods to collect and identify microorganisms including Bacillus anthracis, a pathogenic microorganism, in 4,800 soil samples across the United States, and developed a geographic information system (GIS)-based application to visualize microorganism occurrence throughout the United States.
Bacillus anthracis, the organism that causes the noncontagious infectious disease anthrax, is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals in the United States and around the world. Domestic and wild animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, and deer can become infected when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water. Although it is rare in the United States, people can become infected with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) collaborated through a series of studies to determine background concentrations of Bacillus anthracis and other pathogenic microorganisms in soils of the contiguous United States The joint research effort optimized existing methods for the collection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms in soils.
The optimized method showed an improved limit of detection (14 spores per gram of soil) over a previously used protocol (104 spores per gram of soil). This method is being further optimized through coupling with molecular assays for the purpose of conducting rapid large scale surveys at outbreak or occurrence locations.
A GIS decision support tool was created to enable rapid large-scale visualizations of Bacillus species detections at the time of data collection along with various other data related to microbial survival (geochemistry, outbreaks, precipitation, temperature change, slope, land cover, land use, and wildlife and livestock census data).
This joint research is part of ongoing efforts by the USGS Environmental Health Mission Area to understand the occurrence and transport of pathogens.
The USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, the USGS Contaminant Biology Program, and the USGS Geochemical Landscapes Project, with long-term support from the USEPA, funded this project.
USEPA References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013, Literature review of protocols for processing soils contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-13/185, 64 p.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2014, Literature review on mechanisms that affect persistence of Bacillus anthracis in soils: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-14/216, 32 p.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2015, Literature review on processing and analytical methods for Francisella tularensis in soil and water: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-15/118, 53 p.
Other Related Websites:
- What is anthrax?, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this work.
Joint USGS/USEPA Pathogens in Soils Geographic Information Systems Project
- Overview
Scientists optimized existing methods to collect and identify microorganisms including Bacillus anthracis, a pathogenic microorganism, in 4,800 soil samples across the United States, and developed a geographic information system (GIS)-based application to visualize microorganism occurrence throughout the United States.
Bacillus anthracis, the organism that causes the noncontagious infectious disease anthrax, is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals in the United States and around the world. Domestic and wild animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, and deer can become infected when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water. Although it is rare in the United States, people can become infected with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Bacillus globigii colony forming units recovered from a seeded soil sample growing on a petri dish containing tryptic soy agar. Photo Credit: Dale W. Griffin, USGS. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) collaborated through a series of studies to determine background concentrations of Bacillus anthracis and other pathogenic microorganisms in soils of the contiguous United States The joint research effort optimized existing methods for the collection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms in soils.
The optimized method showed an improved limit of detection (14 spores per gram of soil) over a previously used protocol (104 spores per gram of soil). This method is being further optimized through coupling with molecular assays for the purpose of conducting rapid large scale surveys at outbreak or occurrence locations.
A GIS decision support tool was created to enable rapid large-scale visualizations of Bacillus species detections at the time of data collection along with various other data related to microbial survival (geochemistry, outbreaks, precipitation, temperature change, slope, land cover, land use, and wildlife and livestock census data).
This joint research is part of ongoing efforts by the USGS Environmental Health Mission Area to understand the occurrence and transport of pathogens.
The USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, the USGS Contaminant Biology Program, and the USGS Geochemical Landscapes Project, with long-term support from the USEPA, funded this project.
USEPA References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013, Literature review of protocols for processing soils contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-13/185, 64 p.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2014, Literature review on mechanisms that affect persistence of Bacillus anthracis in soils: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-14/216, 32 p.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2015, Literature review on processing and analytical methods for Francisella tularensis in soil and water: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-15/118, 53 p.
Other Related Websites:
- What is anthrax?, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Science
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this work.
Joint USGS/USEPA Pathogens in Soils Geographic Information Systems Project
Studies determine background concentrations of select pathogens in soils of the contiguous U.S. and the influences of geochemistry, weather and climate on these populations. - Publications