Determining the persistence of genetic faecal markers and faecal indicators in river water for future water quality analysis and modelling
Recent Publication
A current study from the Department of Water Quality and Health is investigating how long genetic traces of faecal contamination remain detectable in river water. The researchers show that these markers degrade at different rates depending on temperature and environmental conditions. This makes it possible to assess water quality more accurately and better identify sources of pollution. In particular, the combination of modern molecular methods with conventional methods significantly improves the analysis. The work was funded by the "Future Danube" (GFF) project and KL Open Access funds and is based on the international study "Comparative evaluation of decay characteristics of commonly used genetic faecal markers crAssphage and Bacteroides in complex river water microcosms".
Steinbacher, S., Leifels, M., Kolm, C., Mach, R., Zuser, K., Lindner, G., Reiter, M., Demeter, K., Kirschner, A., Derx, J., Mayer, R., Linke, R., Farnleitner, A., & Sommer, R. (2026). Bestimmung der Persistenz von genetischen Fäkalmarkern und Fäkalindikatoren in Flusswasser für die Wasserqualitätsuntersuchung und -modellierung von morgen. Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00506-026-01217-4
Dr. Mats Leifels
Scientific Staff (PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Ass. Prof. DI Dr. Claudia Kolm Bakk
Department of Water Quality and Health
Karen Zuser MSc
Head of laboratory
Department of Water Quality and Health
Assoc. Prof. PD Mag. Dr. Alexander Kirschner
Scientific Staff (Sen. PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Dr. René Mayer
Scientific Staff (PostDoc)
Department of Water Quality and Health
Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. Andreas Farnleitner MSc
Head of
Department of Water Quality and Health