BEACHNET==> Water Research Special Issue: Cross-validation of detection methods for pathogens and fecal indicators

Dear Beachnet Colleagues:

I am writing to let you know about a special issue of Water Research focusing on cross-validation of methods for the detection and quantification of microbial pathogens and indicators of fecal pollution. Microbial source identifiers are explicitly included among fecal indicators. The emphasis of the Special Issue is on the practicality of molecular-based methods and how they relate to one another and traditional methods that tend to focus on fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). Water Research plans to publish a second special issue in 2010 with field studies involving validated detection methods.

Submissions are invited for the present Special Issue that compare multiple methods in a given sample matrix including freshwater, seawater, and treated water. Also considered will be solid matrices that are in frequent contact with water like sediments and beach sand. As responsible managing guest editor I am now soliciting papers that cover topics including:

· comparison of newly-developed molecular methods to detect pathogens and indicators with traditional FIB-based methods in a variety of aqueous environments;

· cross-comparison of newly-developed and existing molecular methods to detect pathogens and indicators with traditional FIB-based methods in a variety of aqueous environments;

· inter-comparison studies including different laboratories employing the same methods on a specific sample matrix, one laboratory employing different methods on the same matrix, or a combination of both; and

· comparison of molecular and other (e.g. growth-based, microscopic) methods to detect pathogens.

At this time we are requesting one- to two-page abstracts, with full papers due by March 1, 2009. The abstracts will help the editors determine the suitability of the proposed submission and provide feedback to potential authors. The special issue is scheduled to be published in October 2009.

Details are in the attachment and please feel free to circulate this announcement to other potential authors. I can be reached by email should you have any further questions.

Cordially,

Stefan

Stefan Wuertz

Editor, Water Research

Professor

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

University of California, Davis

One Shields Avenue

Davis CA 95616

USA

Tel: (530) 754 6407 Fax: (530) 752 7872

http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/wuertz/