Newspaper Page Text
Page 12 October 15, 2023 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com
CRYTPO SOURCE NOT FOUND
from page 10
In the September 2010 case study “Crypt-
osporidiosis in Georgia” by U.S Department of
Health and Human Services, CDC, on the
1987 outbreak in Carrollton, the following was
reported: “Low-level Cryptosporidium infec
tion in cattle in the watershed and a sewage
overflow were considered as possible contribu
tors to the contamination of the surface-water
supply, but investigators could not conclude
that the outbreak was caused by cryptosporidi-
osis from cattle. Investigators raised the possi
bility of surface runoff as the cause.
Investigators also considered a sewage pipe
overflow that occured above the water treat
ment plant, but that could not be determined.”
In conclusion, investigators did not find nor
did they announce the source of the Cryptospo
ridium. Edward B. Hayes was the lead epide
miologist investigating from CDC. The out
break in Carrollton, Georgia, was the first
reported contamination of a filtered surface
water system.
Sewage discharge in freshwater ecosystems:
loss of biodiversity, cyanotoxins, fish death,
The following are excerpts from the book
“Implications of Sewage Discharge on
Freshwater Ecosystems” by Sami Ullah Bhat
and Umara Qayoom, published October 2021:
“Water pollution has received more attention
during the past few years owing to their
ecologic, biodiversity, economic, and social
perspectives. . . Freshwater ecosystems such as
lakes and rivers are among the sensitive eco
systems, which host rich biodiversity. . . . Loss
of biodiversity, physiological and behavioral
changes in species, community shifts, and fish
mortality have been witnessed in aquatic eco
systems which are the recipients of untreated
or partially treated sewage.
“Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphoms
are abundant in sewage and are one of the
leading causes of eutrophication [death of ani
mal life due to lack of oxygen] of water bodies.
“Untreated or partly treated urban wastewa
ter consists of high concentration of nutrients .
. . which upon decomposition releases addi
tional nutrients. Algal blooms especially those
of cyanophytes release cyanotoxins, which are
known to have harmful effects on aquatic life,
wildlife, livestock, agricultural crops, and
humans. Several toxins are liberated from sew
age into the water, which are consumed by
fishes. . . thereby increasing their possibility of
entering into the food chain. . . Human urine
consists of a high concentration of. . . nitrogen
and phosphoms. . . Low dissolved oxygen
(DO) indicates potential danger to the water
body. Oxygen-demanding wastes in the sew
age are responsible for the depletion of DO
levels, which impact both water quality and
biodiversity in the water body. The aquatic
ecosystem suffering from hypoxic or anoxic
conditions is responsible for the depletion of
fish stocks and other fonns of aquatic life.
“Fish are among the most affected species as
low DO concentration increases their suscepti
bility toward diseases, retarding their growth,
hindering their swimming ability, changes in
feeding habits, migration, and in extreme cases
results in death.”
The Tallapoosa Darter
The following is from Georgia Department
of Natural Resources: “Tallapoosa Darter is a
rare fish endemic to the Tallapoosa River sys
tem in Alabama and Georgia. Georgia popula
tions are known from the Tallapoosa River,
Little Tallapoosa River, and their tributaries.
“The Tallapoosa darter is particularly vulner
able to habitat loss because its distribution is
restricted to a single river system.
“Populations in the Little Tallapoosa River
system are isolated from downstream popula-
Oxygen-demanding wastes in the sewage
are responsible for the depletion of DO
levels... aquatic ecosystem suffering
from hypoxic or anoxic conditions is
responsible for the depletion of fish
stocks and other forms of aquatic life.
tions by Harris Reservoir in Alabama and are
not as widespread as those in the main
Tallapoosa River. . . Stream degradation is the
result of failure to employ Best Management
Practices. . . failure to control soil erosion from
constmction sites and bridge crossings, and
increased stonnwater runoff.. .”
In conclusion, the negative effects of this
long time, large, raw sewage contamination in
Carroll County are far reaching and may take
years to discover the full impact.
Hannah M. Kahler contributed to the
research and content of this article.
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