Edgar Hernandez – Undergraduate – Geography
Naegleria fowleri:- Addressing the Recent Outbreak in Lake Jackson, Texas

​For a couple of years now, there has been an increasing number of reported cases of the phenomenon of brain- eating amoeba contaminating the water sources of the throughout the United States. The most recent case was in Lake Jackson, Texas, where a six year old boy died after contracting the amoeba. Known as Naegleria fowleri, the single cell is found in contaminated freshwater and soils and enters the body through the nose. Coming into direct contact with Naegleria fowleri is fatal when the amoeba makes its way to the central nervous system. The poster examines the following; how does the amoeba forms in water and how it enters and affects the body;. how the amoeba was tracked and what treatments were used for water supplies that were contaminated;, an observation on to who is responsible for informing, tracking, and cleaning up this amoeba; and the course of action that the city officials took in Lake Jackson as well as an in- depth analysis of the management strategies that were taken.

Edgar Hernandez References

Austin Johnson – Undergraduate – Ecohydrology
A Review of Water Safety in Sweden

​Sweden has been known as a country with some of the cleanest and safest drinking water. Sweden has always had a high supply of freshwater for its citizens, including both groundwater and surface water to supply its citizens with enough drinking water per capita. Yet, Sweden’s water quality is declining as the presence of bacteria and contaminants are causing illnesses among many of the country’s citizens. In 2008, a study was published about the concern on the effects of freshwater lakes in Sweden from the result of increasingly ice-free winters. Other studies published within the last five years are now suggesting that Sweden’s water is not as safe as the country might claim. There has been a rise in cases of people obtaining gastrointestinal illnesses that are drinking water related. Climate change reducing snow and ice pack paired with degrading pipe systems and treatment plant infrastructure are related to decreased water quality. Exposure leaks from pipe systems are leading to illnesses such as Giardia and Norovirus. Upstream land use data is collected containing raw water quality and chemical costs for water treatment plants in municipal areas of Sweden and is then compared to the amount of E. coli in water systems. These contaminants include E. coli, perfluoroalkyl, and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Here, I present the challenges to Sweden’s water quality including illnesses, causes, and solutions. Sweden has always been known for clean drinking water, but without new investments, this status will continue to decline.

Matthew Schibetta – Undergraduate – Geography
The Role of Water Resources in Preventing Zinc Deficiency

​Insufficient water resources are a challenge for South Africa, and zinc deficiencies are a growing concern in rural areas. People in these areas tend to get more water-borne infections than areas without improved water and sanitation sources. Diets high in animal foods administer zinc in sufficient amounts, thus increasing water access for raising livestock could help eliminate zinc deficiencies. Rural South Africa is a region rich in cereal grains, but still requires more efficient water resources for raising livestock. Additionally, regional water restrictions reduce means of sanitation and more people will become sick from contaminated water sources. Zinc deficiency is likely to occur because of bacterial or viral overload from insufficient water, and children will be impacted most over time. Larger loads of viruses and bacteria are known to increase the need for zinc, making meat consumption even more necessary. Unavailable zinc is implicated in poor immune function, delayed growth, heightened skin issues, decreased smell and taste, loss of weight, low appetite, and poor digestion. For young children, mental development may be affected. This poster analyzes limits to agricultural water resources in rural South Africa, the relationship between zinc deficiencies and meat availability, and potential solutions for raising zinc consumption in water scarce communities. Rural water quantity is limited from the South African water crisis and the availability of water for agriculture and livestock production continues to be a dire health concern. 

Mackenzie Scruggs – Undergraduate – Natural Resources and Environmental Science 
Water Affecting Public Health in Kenya

​Kenya is a nation of an arid climate along the eastern coast of Africa. Of Kenya’s 50 million citizens, 41% lack access to safe drinking water and 71% lack access to basic sanitation. Here, I will show the negative impacts of water scarcity on public health by describing sanitation and hygiene conditions and the effects on maternal and newborn health and describe solutions to these issues. Water scarcity has been a major issue in Kenya for decades due to the recurrent years of drought and poor water management. Their relatively high population growth also increases water demand and further exacerbates their limited supply. This has already led to tension, difficulties in acquiring food, and to eruptions of violence. The lack of clean and readily-available water increases water-related disease which cause diarrhea and increased mortality, especially in children. It has also been associated with poor health services that are affecting maternal and newborn deaths, which remains unacceptably high in comparison to other developing countries despite efforts and commitments to resolve this. Poor access to adequate water in health facilities have been found to be one of the major contributors of high maternal and child morbidity and mortality since the lack of sanitation allows infectious disease to thrive and spread. As Kenya’s population is anticipated to grow and their water crisis to only be further exacerbated, Kenya will need to address the causes of this dilemma to mitigate its effects on the health and livelihoods of their population. 

Hannah Williams – Undergraduate – Geography
An Analysis of Livestock Production and Water Quality: The Future of Food in China

​In an age where the demand for meat is higher than ever before, the impact of livestock production on water quality and environmental health is proving to be an ignored crisis. Antibiotics are commonplace in livestock production both for growth enhancement and preventative measures for controlling disease. The excessive use of antibiotics in livestock production poses a threat to water quality. Use of manure for fertilizer introduces antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) within crop production and puts humans at risk when consuming food products from these crops. These ARGs are still present even with standard animal waste treatment protocols. In China, livestock waste (especially swine, cattle, and poultry) has been a considerable issue in groundwater quality due to the presence of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). The presence of antibiotics and ARGs in natural water systems as well as potable water systems is cause for concern especially involving antibiotic resistance in bacterial organisms. Possible solutions to antibiotic use in livestock are probiotics, which have a positive effect on water systems located near the livestock treated with Bacillus probiotics and the health of the livestock in general. The use of biological processes has shown to reduce the presence of antibiotics in livestock manure when paired with high temperatures (~60˚C) during composting. To better manage livestock’s effect on water quality in China, stricter management of manure waste and reduction of antibiotic use is recommended.