IMPACT OF MIGRATORY GEESE ON LAKE WATER QUALITY

Geese are known to harbor many bacterial pathogens, such as Campylobacter, that are hazardous to human health. As aquatic birds that congregate in large numbers and produce large quantities of fecal material, geese are of great concern to water safety. This study sought to define the impact that migratory geese have on water safety and human health. Surface water samples were collected at Silver Lake in Rochester, MN, from November 2015 to November 2016. Geese fecal samples were also collected around the lake. Based on both culture-dependent and -independent methods, Campylobacter spp. were frequently detected in goose fecal samples. Campylobacter were also occasionally detected in water samples. To identify the sources of Campylobacter, we extracted DNA from water and goose fecal samples, and amplified and sequenced Campylobacter-specific flaA gene fragments. Identical flaA sequences were obtained from water and fecal samples, suggesting that Campylobacter present in Silver Lake water samples were most likely originated from geese. Our results suggest that geese could be a significant source of Campylobacter pathogen in water environment. Since geese migrate for thousands of kilometers, they could disperse pathogens to wide areas through their fecal droppings and contaminate water and soils.