Vertical migration of cryptosporidium parvum in unsaturated sand columns under transient flow conditions

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of lag time and residual water saturation on the vertical migration of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts under transient flow conditions experienced across vegetated filter strips (VFS) receiving runoff from livestock areas. The vertical migration of C. parvum oocysts through unsaturated soils was studied in laboratory sand columns. Approximately 1x105 C. parvum oocysts and 1x105 carboxylated latex microspheres (4.5 μm diameter, Polysciences, Inc.) were applied to the top of sand columns at the beginning of each run. Transient water applications to the top of the sand columns (73 cm per hour) simulated an unusually high rate of pond overflow to the inlet area of a VFS after a large storm event, followed by a lag period of either 4 or 48 hours and a repeated water application. Residual water saturation conditions, during the lag period, were controlled to either 2.9 or 12.6 percent by applying a mild vacuum to the bottom of the sand column. The oocysts and microspheres were enumerated along the sand column profile using epifluorescence microscopy. The median travel distance for oocysts was 8.7 ± 1.1 cm at 12.6 percent residual saturation versus 6.7 ± 0.8 cm for 2.9 percent residual saturation. Lag time did not have a statistically significant effect on median travel distance. The study indicates that surface applied C. parvum oocysts have limited mobility through a uniform unsaturated sand medium experiencing high rates of transient water infiltration. (author)