Publication Date

1982

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lynch, Darrel L.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Water quality--Illinois--Kishwaukee River--Measurement; Proteus mirabilis

Abstract

A qualitative estimation was made of the number of Proteus species in the water around DeKalb, Illinois, and at the DeKalb Sanitary District Main Treatment Plant, over a three-month period. A selective medium was used in the survey for the isolation of these species. Its effectiveness was first tested with different enteric bacteria, and it was proved to be sufficiently selective for our use. Water samples were taken from four sites on the Kishwaukee River in DeKalb, and from the influent and effluent areas at the treatment plant. Population numbers were determined by a Most Probable Number (MPN) technique, and the relative abundance of the individual species was determined by streaking out tubes from the MPN procedure to obtain isolated colonies, which were picked at random and identified as to species. The results of this data indicated that the DeKalb treatment plant was very efficient at reducing the number of Proteus species in the treated water to very low levels before discharge into the river. The population of Proteus species in the river fluctuated markedly over a three-month period, and the treatment plant was most likely not a major source of Proteus contamination around DeKalb. The source of occasional contamination of the water was not determined. The predominant species of Proteus occurring in both the river and the treatment plant was found to be Proteus mirabilis, with both Proteus vulgaris and Proteus morganii of relatively low abundance.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations and maps.

Extent

vi, 28 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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