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Abstract
Human waste disposal is a health concern in many backcountry areas. This study measured
Clostridium perfringens in beach sediments of Prince William Sound, Alaska, to detect fecal contamination resulting from intertidal disposal. Analysis involved holding times that exceeded eight hours. In repeatedly sampled stored sediments,
C. perfringens did not decay for 101 days, indicating its reliability for detecting fecal contamination when stored. Fecal contamination was not detected in sediments while campers practiced intertidal disposal. Concentrations of
C. perfringens at beach campsites did not correlate with use. The lack of detectable fecal contamination in affected beach sediments suggests that intertidal disposal of wastes may be a safe method for up to 13 campers in a group.
Parent Publication
Keywords
wilderness,
biodiversity,
protected areas,
economics,
subsistence,
tourism,
traditional knowledge,
community involvement,
policy,
stewardship,
education,
spiritual values
Citation
Graziano, Gino; Twardock, Paul; Myers, Rusty; Dial, Roman; Scheel, David. 2007. Use of
Clostridium perfringens as a fecal indicator to detect intertidal disposal at backcountry marine campsites in Prince William Sound, Alaska. In: Watson, Alan; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium; September 30-October 6, 2005; Anchorage, AK. Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 565-572
