Human waste water and human-derived pathogen scouting tool
Inventors
Turbe, Mary M. • Cahoon, Lawrence B.
Assignees
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Publication Number
US-11079329-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-03
Expiration Date
2038-09-27
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Abstract
The present subject matter provides processes and kits for identifying the presence of waste water or human-derived pathogens, particularly those associated with the presence of human fecal matter, in surface or subsurface water sources.
Core Innovation
The present invention provides processes and kits for identifying the presence of waste water or human-derived pathogens, particularly those associated with the presence of human fecal matter, in surface or subsurface water sources. The processes involve collecting a water sample, running it through a solid phase extraction cartridge, reducing interference from naturally occurring fluorescing compounds, concentrating and enhancing the fluorescence signal of optical brighteners, and determining the presence of optical brighteners using a fluorometric detector.
The invention addresses the challenge of rapidly and accurately detecting human waste and associated pathogens in water sources, as existing scientific methods do not provide a rapid field test capable of giving on-site results. The approach relies on the association between optical brighteners, commonly found in laundry detergents, and human contaminants, using the detection of these compounds as a sensitive tracer for the presence of human fecal matter or waste water.
Accompanying kits include at least one solid phase extraction cartridge, weak base aliquots, polar organic solvents, and optionally filtration systems, sunlight resistant containers, fittings, optical brightener absorbing packing material, and a fluorometric detector. These kits and methods can be deployed in field settings to analyze water from natural or human-made sources, providing a means to identify waste water or human-derived pathogens quickly and selectively.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims, each introducing a primary inventive feature related to the identification of human fecal matter or waste water in water samples using optical brightener analysis.
Process for identifying human fecal matter in water samples using optical brightener detection
This inventive feature covers: 1. Collecting a water sample containing optical brighteners. 2. Running the water sample through a solid phase extraction cartridge. 3. Reducing interference from naturally occurring fluorescing compounds by eluting them from the cartridge while retaining at least a portion of the optical brighteners. 4. Concentrating and enhancing the fluorescence signal of the optical brighteners by eluting them from the extraction cartridge. 5. Determining the presence of optical brighteners based on detection of the fluorescence signal, wherein the detected presence of optical brighteners indicates the presence of human fecal matter in the water sample.
Process for identifying waste water in water samples using optical brightener detection
This inventive feature covers: 1. Collecting a water sample containing optical brighteners. 2. Running the water sample through a solid phase extraction cartridge. 3. Reducing interference from naturally occurring fluorescing compounds by eluting them from the cartridge while retaining at least a portion of the optical brighteners. 4. Concentrating and enhancing a fluorescence signal associated with the optical brighteners by eluting them from the extraction cartridge. 5. Determining the presence of optical brighteners based on detection of the fluorescence signal, wherein the presence of optical brighteners indicates waste water in the sample.
Both inventive features claim distinct processes for detecting either human fecal matter or waste water in water samples using the selective identification and enhanced detection of optical brighteners as an indicator.
Stated Advantages
The processes and kits provide a rapid, real-time field test for the detection of human waste and associated pathogens in water sources.
The invention offers a safe, cost-effective, and selective method for identifying waste water and human fecal matter in water samples.
Documented Applications
Analyzing water samples from natural or human-made surface and subsurface water sources, including ponds, rivers and streams, lakes, standing water, outflow from septic systems, and other water sources to identify the presence of waste water or human-derived pathogens.
Testing water from various locations in a single water source to aid in determining the point source of human waste and associated pathogens.
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